Last checked: October 26, 2026
Ever wanted to pull a hot snack out of a hole in the ice? On this tour near Misawa, in Aomori Prefecture, you fish for wakasagi (Japanese smelt) from inside a tent on a frozen lake. Then the guide fries your catch on the spot.
The guide drills the holes, sets up the tent and prepares the rigs. All you bring is warm clothing and some patience. The session lasts 2.5 hours.
One thing to know before you plan a trip around it: the ice decides everything. The operator, Aomori Fishing Guide, did not open the fishing site in 2 of the last 8 seasons (2020 and 2024). It also says the 2027 opening date is not set yet (as of October 26, 2026). So a KKday booking is a request, and the operator confirms it.
We built this guide from the KKday listing, the operator’s season notices, the lake’s fishing rules, Japan Meteorological Agency data and transport company pages. We flag anything we couldn’t confirm. We haven’t joined this tour ourselves.
TOHOKU REGION
Lake Anenuma, Misawa (Aomori)
From Tokyo: About 3 hours by shinkansen to Hachinohe, then the Aoimori Railway to Misawa
From Misawa Station: About 10 minutes by taxi
At a Glance
- Price: about US$51 per person on KKday (as of October 2026)
- Meet at: Anenuma Wakasagi Fishing Site in Misawa, about 10 minutes by car from Misawa Station
- Times: 9:00–11:30 or 12:00–14:30 (meet 10 minutes early)
- Group size: at least 2 people, up to 20 per booking
- Ages: 6 to 80
- Included: all rental gear, hole drilling, tent setup, a fishing lesson and a taste of your freshly fried catch
- Not included: winter clothes and boots
- Season: roughly mid-January to the end of February, depending on the ice
- Languages shown: English, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Mandarin
- Free cancellation: up to 2 days before
Prices and available dates vary. Check the booking page before you book.
Is This Trip Right for You?
✅ Great if you…
- have never ice fished. The guide sets up the holes, the tent and the rigs
- are traveling around Tohoku in January or February and have a half day to spare
- are bringing kids aged 6 or older. The minimum age is 6
- don’t own any fishing gear. Rental gear is included
⚠️ Think twice if you…
- are traveling alone. The plan needs at least 2 people
- can’t move your dates. The ice decides when the site opens, and it sometimes closes for a day
- want to catch a lot of fish. Some days bring only 0–3 per person
- want to fish in a warm room. You fish in a tent, not a heated cabin like the one at Shinotsu Lake
When Does Lake Anenuma Open?
Safe ice sets the schedule, and the ice changes every year. The operator opens the fishing site only when the ice is thick enough to fish safely. KKday says the tour runs roughly from mid-January to the end of February.
📅 When you can ice fish
Open Part of the month Closed
KKday says the tour runs roughly from mid-January to the end of February. In some years the ice never formed.
Source: KKday listing and the operator’s season notices, checked October 2026.
Is it safe to go in the first week of January?
Probably too early. Over 8 seasons the site opened between January 7 and February 5, and KKday says the tour starts around mid-January. If your trip is in early January, keep your days flexible.
The table below shows how each season went. It lists the opening and closing dates the operator posted.
| Season | Opened | Ended |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | January 13 | February 21 |
| 2020 | Did not open (ice too thin) | — |
| 2021 | January 7 | March 6 |
| 2022 | January 11 | February 25 |
| 2023 | January 20 | February 27 |
| 2024 | Did not open (no ice after a warm winter) | — |
| 2025 | February 5 (delayed) | February 18 |
| 2026 | January 27 | February 20 |
Source: Aomori Fishing Guide’s season notices, checked October 2026.
Even in a season that opens, the site can close for a day. In 2026 it closed on several February days because of warm weather or strong wind. The operator posts closures on its Facebook page, Instagram and website.
We’d book with one spare day in your itinerary. Your booking has free cancellation up to 2 days before, and the ice can still cancel the day you picked.
Your Session, Step by Step
There are two sessions each day. The times below are what KKday lists.
| Morning session | Afternoon session | |
|---|---|---|
| Meet | 8:50 | 11:50 |
| Fishing starts | 9:00 | 12:00 |
| Ends | 11:30 | 14:30 |
Source: KKday listing, checked October 2026.
KKday lists only the start and end times. This is the order of the day, from what the listing says is included:
Step 1: Meet at the office
Gather in front of the management office at the fishing site. The entrance has a banner flag.
Step 2: Learn the basics
The guide explains how to fish.
Step 3: Fish in the tent
The guide has already drilled the holes, set up the tent and prepared the rigs.
Step 4: Taste your catch
The guide fries your wakasagi on the spot. You can leave without cleaning up.
If you’re coming from Tokyo on the same day, we’d book the 12:00 session. The first train from Tokyo reaches Misawa at 9:50, after the 9:00 session has started.
How Wakasagi Ice Fishing Works
Wakasagi are small silver fish about the size of your finger. You catch them on a short rod, straight down a hole in the ice.
The hole
The hole is no wider than 15 cm. The water below is about 3 meters deep.
The rod
A short rod with a tiny rig. The guide prepares it for you.
The fish
The lake is connected to Lake Ogawara by a channel. KKday says schools of wakasagi swim in to spawn.
The extras
A spare rig costs about ¥500. If a food truck is there that day, it may sell wakasagi pizza for an extra charge.
Should I zip the tent shut to stay warm?
No. The operator’s rules say not to seal the tent. Keep it ventilated so you don’t run short of oxygen. We couldn’t confirm whether the tents are heated, so dress for the cold.
How Many Fish Will You Catch?
Don’t expect a full bucket. KKday has no reviews for this tour yet, so there are no catch numbers from past guests.
The operator’s post on opening day in January 2026 said that day’s average was about 0–3 fish. The top angler had 18. The post called it the toughest start yet, and the last day was also hard.
Source: Aomori Fishing Guide’s opening-day post, January 2026.
Treat the fried wakasagi as a bonus on any day you catch them. Plan the day around the ice and the snack, not the count.
Cold, Clothes and Toilets
KKday says winter clothes and boots are not included. You stand on ice for 2.5 hours, so this matters.
The table shows the average temperature in Misawa (Japan Meteorological Agency, 1991–2020 averages).
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.3°C | -4.4°C |
| February | 3.2°C | -4.2°C |
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Misawa averages for 1991–2020, checked October 2026.
Misawa doesn’t record snow depth. At Hachinohe, the deepest snow averages 15 cm in January and 21 cm in February. Roads near the lake may be snowy.
We’d pick ski wear or a thick winter coat.
What to Wear and Bring
- Ski wear or a thick winter jacket
- Waterproof boots
- Gloves and a hat
- Hand warmers
- Wet wipes or hand sanitizer. The toilets are temporary ones with no running water for washing hands
- A small bag for your trash. The operator asks everyone to take their own trash home
- Cash in yen. We couldn’t confirm how you pay for extras at the site
Can I rent boots at the site?
Maybe, but we couldn’t confirm it. The operator rents boots at the site, but the listing doesn’t say tour guests can borrow them. Ask KKday before you book, and bring waterproof boots if you can.
Getting to Lake Anenuma
No bus stops in front of the fishing site, so you need a taxi or a rental car. All train times here are based on the timetable valid in October 2026. January times may shift, so check again before you go.
Plan A: Shinkansen and a taxi (our pick for most travelers)
The route runs from Tokyo to Hachinohe by shinkansen, then to Misawa on the Aoimori Railway (青い森鉄道, Aoimori Tetsudō). Tokyo to Misawa costs ¥17,510 with a reserved seat, and Hachinohe to Misawa is ¥680.
The Aoimori Railway doesn’t accept Suica or other IC cards. Buy a paper ticket at the station.
For the 12:00 session, you can travel on the same day:
7:32
Leave Tokyo
Take the Hayabusa shinkansen to Hachinohe
10:24
Reach Hachinohe
Change to the 10:38 Aoimori Railway train
11:06
Reach Misawa
Take your pre-booked taxi to the lake
11:50
Meet at the office
The session starts at 12:00
For the 9:00 session, the 6:32 Hayabusa from Tokyo reaches Misawa at 9:50. That is too late. We’d sleep near Hachinohe or Misawa the night before.
If you stay in Hachinohe, the 7:16 train from Hachinohe reaches Misawa at about 7:44. A taxi from there gets you to the 9:00 session.
If you’re also exploring Tohoku, the JR East Pass (Tohoku area) covers the Aoimori Railway too, according to JR East. It also covers the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo. Klook sells 5-day and 10-day versions (consecutive days), and the price changes with the exchange rate, so check it there.
Taxi from Misawa Station
No bus stops in front of the fishing site. The nearest bus stop, Anenuma (姉沼), is about 3 km (42 minutes) on foot from it. The one bus runs on weekdays only, once each way. The operator also tells visitors to take a taxi from Misawa Station.
The drive is about 10 minutes in dry weather. The fare is about ¥3,500 by our calculation from the Aomori Taxi Association’s fares (winter rates are 20% higher from December to February). This is our estimate, not an official price.
Misawa Airport’s website says taxis can run short and asks you to reserve ahead. We’d book your taxi before you arrive. Ask the driver on the way out to come back for you. Don’t count on finding a taxi at the lake. We couldn’t confirm how the taxis take payment, so ask when you book.
These phrases will help:
| English | Japanese | How to say it |
|---|---|---|
| I’d like to reserve a taxi. | タクシーを予約したいです | Takushī o yoyaku shitai desu |
| Please take me to Anenuma Wakasagi fishing site. | 姉沼ワカサギ釣り場までお願いします | Anenuma wakasagi tsuriba made onegaishimasu |
| Please pick me up at 2:30. | 2時半に迎えに来てください | Niji-han ni mukae ni kite kudasai |
Plan B: Fly to Misawa Airport
JAL flies from Haneda to Misawa Airport. We couldn’t confirm January flight times, so check JAL’s website. From the airport, the lake is about 15 minutes by car. A taxi costs about ¥4,600 by our calculation, using the same fares and winter surcharge.
Plan C: Rent a car
Five rental companies work at Misawa Airport: Orix, Toyota, Nissan, Nippon and Times. Toyota (Aomori) and Nippon (Aomori Prefecture) fit studless winter tires to all cars from December 1 to March 31, with winter rates.
The Aomori Prefectural Police advise drivers on snowy roads to go slowly, keep a big gap and avoid sudden steering or braking. They also suggest listening to the radio for road conditions.
The site has parking for about 300 cars at ¥500 per car, the operator says. We couldn’t confirm whether KKday’s price covers it.
Want to compare rental cars at Misawa Airport? Enter your dates below. Economybookings sets the prices, and they change by date.
Getting back
The afternoon session ends at 14:30. If you booked the afternoon session, we’d take the 15:44 train from Misawa. It reaches Hachinohe at 16:16, then the Hayabusa arrives in Tokyo at 19:04. The last train is at 19:42 from Misawa and reaches Tokyo at 23:04.
After the morning session (ends 11:30), trains leave Misawa at 11:58 and 13:11. The 13:11 gives you more time.
⚠️ Skip the bus plan — The bus stop is about 3 km on foot from the site, and the bus runs on weekdays only. Don’t try to walk it through snow
- No 9:00 session from Tokyo on the same day — The first train from Tokyo reaches Misawa at 9:50
Getting around Aomori by train, bus or car? Klook lists these options for the area. Klook sets the prices, and they change by date.
Where to Stay
For the 9:00 session, we’d stay in Misawa. The lake is about 10 minutes from Misawa Station by car, and you skip the morning train.
- Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts (青森屋, Aomoriya) — Near Misawa Station. Free shuttles run from Misawa Station and Misawa Airport for guests (reserve ahead). No shuttle to the lake is listed, so take a taxi for the 10-minute ride
- Hotel Route-Inn Misawa — In the city center
- Hotel Mets Hachinohe — 100 meters from Hachinohe Station, where the shinkansen and the Aoimori Railway meet
Booking, Cancellation and Bad Weather
You send a booking request on KKday. The operator confirms it, which takes up to 1 day. KKday’s deadline is 2 days before your date.
Book for the number of people who will actually fish. A family of two adults and two kids with three people fishing books for three.
Cancellation
KKday’s cancellation policy (as of October 2026):
KKday refunds within 15 days after processing.
Weather and ice
⚠️ The tour can be canceled — KKday says bad weather may cancel it, and the schedule may shift with the ice. The operator can also cancel at short notice
- Refunds — The listing doesn’t say what you get back if the operator cancels. Ask KKday before you book
What’s Included
| What | |
|---|---|
| ✅ Included | All rental gear, hole drilling, tent setup and takedown, rig preparation, a fishing lesson and a taste of your fried catch |
| ❌ Not included | Winter clothes, boots, transport, extra rigs (about ¥500), wakasagi pizza |
| ❓ Not stated | The day fishing ticket for the lake (¥300) and parking (¥500). Ask KKday whether they are in the price |
Lake Rules
Lake Anenuma is part of the Lake Ogawara fishing cooperative’s waters, and the cooperative’s rules call for a day ticket. The operator lists the 2026 season ticket at ¥300 for adults and ¥150 for elementary and junior high school students. For how fishing rights work in Japan, see our fishing license guide.
The operator’s rules at the site:
- Check in at the reception first
- Make holes 15 cm wide or less
- Don’t seal the tent. Keep it ventilated
- Don’t go past the marker poles
- No chumming or fish-attracting bait
- Take your trash home
- The site closes in strong wind, heavy snow or weather warnings
More Wakasagi Options in Japan
- Shinotsu Lake near Sapporo — a heated hut, with pickup from Sapporo
- Ice fishing in Sapporo — ice fishing near the city
- Lake Yamanaka dome boat — wakasagi without the ice, from October
Around Misawa
Aomoriya (see Where to Stay) is near Misawa Station. If you’re looking at day tours to Oirase or Hakkoda, check the language first. One winter tour on Klook says its driver speaks Japanese only.
Looking for more to do in Aomori? Klook lists these options for the area. Klook sets the prices, and they change by date.
FAQ
QCan I join alone?
No. The plan needs at least 2 people. Each booking can include 2 to 20.
QHow old do kids need to be?
6. KKday lists ages 6 to 80.
QWill the guide speak English?
We can’t tell. KKday shows English among the languages, but the tour has no reviews yet. Keep a translation app ready.
QWhat if the lake doesn’t freeze?
The tour is canceled. We couldn’t confirm the refund, so ask KKday before you book.
QCan I do it as a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes, for the 12:00 session. Take the 7:32 train and come back on the 15:44 train, which reaches Tokyo at 19:04. The 9:00 session needs a night nearby.
QDo I need a fishing license?
No national license exists in Japan. You need a day ticket for the lake, which costs ¥300. Ask KKday whether it’s included. Our license guide explains why.
QCan I take the fish home?
We couldn’t confirm it. KKday only says you can taste your fried catch there. Ask KKday.
QCan I get there without a car?
Yes. Take the train to Misawa Station and a taxi from there. For a data connection on the way, see our eSIM guide.
Ready to Book?
If you’re in Aomori in January or February, a wakasagi session on the ice is a fun half day. It’s a catch you can taste before you head back to the station. Book it with a spare day in your schedule, since the ice has the last word.
Prices and available dates vary. Check the booking page before you book.
