Last checked: November 1, 2026
Want to fish through a hole in the ice without owning a single piece of winter gear? This KKday trip at Lake Onuma (大沼, Onuma) hands you a rod, bait, a long coat, boots and gloves. The fishing fee is in the ticket, and so is tempura of 5–10 fish.
Lake Onuma is a snowy park lake near Hakodate. The local train takes up to 47 minutes from Hakodate Station, and the walk from the station is about 6 minutes. You catch wakasagi (ワカサギ), the Japanese smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis). It is a small silver fish, and Japanese anglers love to eat it as tempura.
We built this guide from the KKday listing, the operator’s website, train timetables and Japan Meteorological Agency data. We flag anything we couldn’t confirm.
HOKKAIDO REGION
Lake Onuma, Nanae (near Hakodate)
From Hakodate Station: About 30 to 47 minutes by JR train
From the station: About a 7-minute walk to the boat landing
At a Glance
- Price: from about US$19 per person on KKday (as of November 2026)
- Hours: 9:00–15:30, last entry 14:30
- Fishing time: up to 120 minutes
- Where: on the ice, in a greenhouse or on a pier, depending on the ice
- Included: entry, rod and bait, fishing fee, a long coat, insulated boots, fingerless gloves, tempura of 5–10 fish
- Ages: adults from high school; children from age 6 to junior high
- Free cancellation: until the day before
- Season: December to late March, with dates that change each year
- From Hakodate: up to 47 minutes by local train, then about 6 minutes on foot
Prices and available dates vary. Check the booking page before you book.
Is This Trip Right for You?
✅ Great if you…
- have never fished. The rod and bait come with the ticket, and staff teach you
- travel with kids. KKday has a child category from age 6
- want a half-day out of Hakodate without carrying winter gear
- like the idea of eating your catch as tempura
⚠️ Think twice if you…
- want big fish. Wakasagi are small
- must stand on the open ice. If the ice is too thin, you fish from a greenhouse or a pier
- need an English-speaking guide. We couldn’t find English staff or an English guide
- can’t reach the lake by 14:30, the last entry
- visit between April and November. Smelt fishing doesn’t run then
When Can You Go?
📅 Smelt fishing at Lake Onuma, month by month
Open Part of the month Closed
In the past four winters, ice fishing started between January 2 and 9 (the tourism association gave January 15 for 2025–26), and February was the main ice month. Smelt fishing doesn’t run from April to November. The operator runs sightseeing boats from mid-April to early December, and the winter fishing is a separate business.
Source: the operator’s and the tourism association’s notices, checked November 2026.
The dates below show how much the start moves from year to year. The first column is the start of the pier and greenhouse, and the second is the start of ice fishing.
| Winter | Pier and greenhouse began | Ice fishing began |
|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | December 1 | January 7 |
| 2023–24 | December 1 | January 9 |
| 2024–25 | December 8 | January 2 |
| 2025–26 | December 14 | January 2 (planned) |
Source: the operator’s and the tourism association’s notices, checked November 2026.
The season ended on March 25, 24, 23 and 22 in those four winters. For 2025–26, the tourism association said ice fishing began on January 15, not January 2. The operator hasn’t announced the 2026–27 dates as of November 1, so check the dates on KKday.
How the Day Works
This plan uses a January 2027 timetable. Check the times for your date.
8:23
Leave Hakodate
Take the local train, which reaches Onumakoen Station at 9:10. Buy a paper ticket first, because Suica doesn’t work there
9:10
Walk over
The boat landing on the park square is about 6 minutes from the station
After 9:10
Check in
Show your e-voucher at the reception log house. Your ticket covers the coat, boots and gloves
Up to 120 min
Go fishing
Staff teach you, and the rod and bait are included
Tempura
Eat your catch
Tempura of 5–10 fish comes with the ticket, and more is paid separately
12:07
Head back
Hokuto 6 reaches Hakodate at 12:33
The operator says the fish bite better in the morning. If you want that, we’d take the 8:23 local train. It arrives at 9:10, just after the 9:00 opening.
What if the lake isn’t frozen yet?
KKday says you fish from a greenhouse or a pier when there is no safe ice. In each of the past four winters, the operator started on the pier in December and moved onto the ice after the lake froze.
Ice, Greenhouse or Pier
On the ice
You fish through a hole in the frozen lake. The operator measures the ice thickness before it opens the ice.
In the greenhouse
A plastic greenhouse with a wood stove, according to the operator. You use it when the ice is not ready.
On the pier
The operator uses the pier before the lake freezes and after the ice melts.
You lower a small rig into the water through the hole, or from the greenhouse or the pier. The staff teach you how. We couldn’t find monthly catch counts. One January 2024 post from the operator called the fishing uneven but good.
⚠️ Stay off the ice outside the staffed area — Only walk on the ice where staff are working. The tourism association’s Q&A says never to go onto the lake ice on your own
What’s Included, and the Tempura
| Included | Not included | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry and fishing fee | Yes | |
| Rod and bait | Yes (refilled if you run out) | |
| Warm gear | Long coat, insulated boots, fingerless gloves | |
| Tempura | Tempura of 5–10 fish | Cooking fee for more fish |
Source: KKday listing, checked November 2026.
KKday lists the tempura of 5–10 fish as included. It also says the cooking fee is not included. If you catch nothing, the listing says the tempura uses the shop’s smelt. We couldn’t tell how the two lines fit together, so ask KKday before you book.
KKday also says visitors who buy admission only can’t fish. Pick the package called “Ice fishing for smelt ★Admission fee included”.
Can we eat everything we catch?
Tempura of 5–10 fish comes with the ticket. The operator says it cooks a plate of 15–20 fish for ¥700, paid separately. We couldn’t confirm whether you can take your catch home.
Don’t Go to the Wrong Fishing Spot
⚠️ Two fishing spots in one park — KKday warns that the park has two. This trip starts at the boat landing on the left side of the park square as you face Mt. Komagatake. It serves tempura
- The other spot — A fishing pond called 釣り堀 太公園, farther into the square along the walking path. It serves the fish deep-fried as karaage. Don’t book that one by mistake
How Cold Is It?
Lake Onuma gets a lot of snow. The normal January snowfall adds up to 139 cm, and the deepest normal snow cover is 66 cm in February.
The Onuma weather station doesn’t measure temperature, so here are two nearby places. The table shows January averages for the daily low and high, in °C.
| Place | Daily low | Daily high |
|---|---|---|
| Mori (near Onuma) | −8.0 °C | −0.7 °C |
| Hakodate | −6.0 °C | 0.9 °C |
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency normals (Mori 2002–2020, Hakodate 1991–2020; snow at the Onuma station), checked November 2026.
The operator lends coats for free, but the number is limited. The loaner gloves leave your fingertips open, and reviewers mention cold hands and moving into the greenhouse. Our pick: bring your own warm gloves, a hat and warm socks.
Getting to Lake Onuma
The meeting point is the boat landing at Onumacho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido 041-1354 (北海道亀田郡七飯町大沼町). KKday calls it the Boat Pier House or Boat Landing House. The operator says reception is the log house on the left of the square as you face Mt. Komagatake. Open the walking route from Onumakoen Station in Google Maps (about 7 minutes, checked November 2026).
From Hakodate Station by train
The local train costs ¥680 and takes up to 47 minutes. The Hokuto limited express takes up to 29 minutes. It has only reserved seats, so it costs ¥1,840 with the ¥1,160 seat charge. Some Hokuto trains skip Onumakoen, so check the stop before you board.
The times below are the same on Saturday, January 16 and Monday, January 18, 2027. The table shows departures from Hakodate.
| Leaves Hakodate | Train | Reaches Onumakoen |
|---|---|---|
| 7:23 | Local | 8:10 |
| 8:23 | Local | 9:10 |
| 8:56 | Hokuto 5 | 9:24 |
| 10:05 | Hokuto 7 | 10:33 |
| 10:45 | Hokuto 9 | 11:13 |
| 11:15 | Local | 11:54 |
| 12:14 | Hokuto 11 | 12:42 |
| 13:31 | Hokuto 13 | 13:59 |
Source: JR Hokkaido and Yahoo! Transit timetables, checked November 2026.
The 13:31 Hokuto 13 is the last train that makes the 14:30 last entry. The return times from Onumakoen are below.
| Leaves Onumakoen | Train | Reaches Hakodate |
|---|---|---|
| 12:07 | Hokuto 6 | 12:33 |
| 13:09 | Hokuto 8 | 13:35 |
| 14:16 | Hokuto 10 | 14:40 |
| 14:35 | Local | 15:15 |
| 15:43 | Hokuto 12 | 16:08 |
| 16:48 | Hokuto 14 | 17:13 |
| 18:04 | Hokuto 16 | 18:30 |
Source: JR Hokkaido and Yahoo! Transit timetables, checked November 2026.
The 18:04 Hokuto 16 is the last train to Hakodate. No later train goes back.
Suica won’t work at Onumakoen Station
Can I tap my Suica at Onumakoen Station?
No. Kitaca and Suica work only on six stations from Hakodate to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Buy a paper ticket for Onumakoen. The JR Hokkaido IC card area shows the range.
The ticket office (Midori no Madoguchi) is open 9:00–17:10. It closes 13:20–13:50 and 14:50–15:20. There is also a ticket machine, but we couldn’t confirm whether it takes cards. Carry yen.
From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (Shinkansen)
The local train from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto takes 9–21 minutes and costs ¥360. From Tokyo, the 6:32 Hayabusa 1 gets you to Onumakoen at 11:13. For the return, the 18:04 Hokuto 16 reaches Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto at 18:14. The 18:40 Hayabusa 44 then arrives in Tokyo at 23:04.
From Hakodate Airport
The Onuma Kotsu bus (the Hakodate Airport–Onuma line) leaves the airport at 9:30, 11:45, 14:40 and 17:10. It takes about 73 minutes and costs ¥1,500 for adults, according to Hokkaido Airports. It stops in front of Onumakoen Station. We couldn’t confirm how you pay. The airport shuttle to Hakodate Station takes about 20 minutes and costs ¥700.
No city bus from Hakodate
Don’t plan on a city bus. Hakodate Bus ended its route to Onuma Park in October 2025, according to Hakodate City and Nanae Town planning documents. From Hakodate, take the JR train.
By car
The drive from Hakodate takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour, according to HOKKAIDO LOVE!, Hokkaido’s official tourism site. KKday says the south lot in front of Onumakoen Station is free. Winter roads freeze. The Hokkaido government’s English page says they are about 10 times as slippery as in summer. It advises leaving at least three times the usual distance to the car ahead.
If you have never driven on snow, we’d take the train instead.
Lockers and toilets
Onumakoen Station has coin lockers. The large size has 12 units and costs ¥700. At Hakodate Station, medium lockers cost ¥400–500 and large ones ¥700–800, for up to 3 days.
The station map shows no toilet. A 2019 document mentions a town toilet outside the station. We couldn’t confirm a toilet at the fishing site, so ask the staff when you check in.
JR Hokkaido allows up to two bags. Each bag can measure up to 250 cm in total on its three sides and 2 m in length, and weigh up to 30 kg. The Hokuto trains have luggage space.
Prices in the box below are set by Klook and change by date.
Tackle Shops on the Way from Hakodate
We found no tackle shop near Onumakoen Station or anywhere in Nanae Town on Google Maps. The tour includes a rod and bait, so you don’t need one. If you want spare rigs, your own bait or a look at Japanese smelt rods, shop in Hakodate before you board the train.
- Pro Fisher Systems Nakashima (プロフィッシャーシステムズ ナカシマ): About 10 minutes on foot from Hakodate Station. Daiwa’s store list describes a large stock of lure, fly, boat and surf-casting gear. We couldn’t confirm smelt gear. Walking route in Google Maps
- 矢田釣具店 (local tackle shop): About 25 minutes on foot from Hakodate Station. Its website lists maggot bait it suggests for smelt, and says it has English-speaking staff. Walking route in Google Maps
- Fishland Hakodate Nishikikyo (フイッシュランド 函館西桔梗店): About 20 minutes by car from Hakodate Station, and too far to walk from a station. Fishland is a Hokkaido chain with 14 shops. This shop’s blog announced new smelt gear in January 2025. Driving route in Google Maps
Want to fish with your own rod? Neither the operator nor KKday mentions bringing your own gear, so ask KKday before you go. Walking and driving times are from Google Maps, checked November 2026.
A Hakodate Day Plan
If you finish by about noon, you can be back in Hakodate in the early afternoon.
8:23
Take the train
It reaches Onumakoen at 9:10
Morning
Fish
The operator says mornings are better
12:07
Return
Hokuto 6 reaches Hakodate at 12:33
Afternoon
Eat at the market
Hakodate Morning Market (函館朝市, Hakodate Asaichi) is open from 6:00 to a little past 14:00 from January to April
Evening
See the night view
The last ropeway ascent in winter is at 20:30
Arriving at 12:33 leaves about an hour and a half before the market closes.
Where to Stay
If you want the morning market and the night view, we’d stay near Hakodate Station. The day plan above fits both around one trip to the lake.
If you’d rather skip the 8:23 train, we’d sleep in Onuma. Hakodate Onuma Tsuruga Resort EPUY is 100 m from Onumakoen Station, about a 2-minute walk, according to Klook.
- Pickup: The hotel offers pickup from the airport and the station. Tell the hotel at least 72 hours before you arrive
- Check-in: 15:00–19:00. If you arrive after 19:00, tell the hotel in advance
- Check-out: 11:00
Hakodate Onuma Prince Hotel lists a free shuttle for its guests to Hakodate Station and the airport through March 14. It hasn’t announced a January shuttle to Onumakoen Station.
Booking, Cancellation and Weather
Book at least 2 days before your date. KKday says it confirms bookings about 1 day after you order (the Japanese page says 1 business day). If your trip is short, we’d book as soon as the dates open.
You pay KKday when you book. The only extra we found is the cooking fee for more tempura, which you pay at the site. We couldn’t confirm whether that takes cash or cards, so carry yen. You show an e-voucher at the site. For mobile data, see our eSIM guide.
Cancellation
KKday’s cancellation policy (as of November 2026):
Weather and the volcano
⚠️ Trips can be canceled — KKday says bad weather can cancel a confirmed trip, and the operator will contact you. The listing doesn’t say how refunds work, so ask KKday before you book
- Komagatake is on alert — The Japan Meteorological Agency put Hokkaido Komagatake on level 2 on October 2, 2026. The October 30 bulletin kept it there. The agency warns of large volcanic rocks within about 4 km of the crater, and the warning covers the towns of Nanae, Shikabe and Mori. Check the agency’s page before you leave
Rules and Fishing Tickets
The ticket price includes the fishing fee, so you need nothing else for this trip. If you fish Lake Onuma on your own, you need a day ticket from the Onuma fishery cooperative. It costs ¥800 for adults. Our guide to Hokkaido fishing rules covers it.
Around Onuma
- Onuma dango: Numa no Ie (沼の家) sells it in front of the station, 8:30–18:00. A small box costs ¥480 and a large one ¥800, prices since August 2025
- Snow and Ice Festival: The Onuma Hakodate Snow and Ice Festival is on February 6–7, 2027, a Saturday and Sunday. We couldn’t find an entry fee
Prices in the box below are set by Klook and change by date.
FAQ
QDoes the staff speak English?
We couldn’t find English staff or an English guide. The operator’s own website is Japanese only, so we’d write your questions down before you arrive.
QCan kids join?
Yes, KKday has a child category for ages 6 to junior high. We couldn’t confirm the child price or whether younger children can join, so ask KKday.
QWhat if the lake isn’t frozen?
You fish from a greenhouse or a pier. KKday says this happens when there is no safe ice.
QCan I use Suica?
No. Onumakoen Station doesn’t take Suica or Kitaca, so buy a paper ticket.
QWhat time must I arrive?
By 14:30, the last entry. The last train that makes it is the 13:31 Hokuto 13, which arrives at 13:59.
QCan I take my smelt home?
We couldn’t confirm that. Ask KKday before you book.
QWhich fishing spot is mine?
The boat landing on the left of the park square. The pond on the way deeper into the square is a different business.
QIs the volcano a problem?
Check first. Komagatake is at alert level 2, so look at the agency’s page before you go.
Related Guides
Ready to Book?
Hooked on the idea of a smelt tempura lunch after a morning on the ice? If you’re new to fishing, travel with kids, and want to skip the shopping for winter gear, this trip suits you. Check the dates first.
