Last updated: 2026-10-06
Sit in a tent on a frozen river, drop a line through a hole in the ice, and pull up tiny silver fish called wakasagi (Japanese smelt). Then eat your catch as fresh tempura, right there on the ice. It’s one of Hokkaido’s classic winter pastimes, and you can try it on a half-day tour that starts a 3-minute walk from Sapporo Station.
This guide covers the Sapporo Smelt Fishing Experience on Klook, run by Earth Outdoor Tours: the meeting point, what happens on the day, what to wear, and the weather policy. It’s based on the Klook listing and the operator’s official website.
Dates and conditions in this guide were checked on September 29, 2026. Prices, availability, and cancellation terms vary by date, so please check the Klook listing for the latest details before you book.
👉 See the Sapporo Smelt Fishing Experience on Klook
Quick answer:
- What: A half-day guided ice fishing tour for wakasagi (Japanese smelt), with your catch fried as tempura on the ice.
- Where: The Barato River (茨戸川), about 30 minutes by car north of Sapporo. Round-trip transport from a meeting point near Sapporo Station is included.
- When: December 25, 2026 to March 22, 2027 (operator’s official dates). The actual start and end depend on the ice.
- Gear: Fishing rods and bait are included. Warm winter clothing and boots are not, so bring your own.
Sapporo Ice Fishing Tour at a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Operator | Earth Outdoor Tours |
| Fishing spot | Barato River (茨戸川), north of Sapporo, running through Sapporo and Ishikari cities |
| Season | December 25, 2026 – March 22, 2027 (operator’s official site). Start and end depend on ice conditions |
| Departure times | 9:15 or 13:15 (arrive 10 minutes early) |
| Return to Sapporo Station | 12:45 or 16:45 |
| Duration | About 3.5 hours, including 1.5–2 hours of fishing |
| Meeting point | In front of Lawson Sapporo Kita 8-jo Nishi store, a 3-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station North Exit |
| Included | Round-trip transport from the meeting point, admission, English/Japanese-speaking guide, fishing rods and bait (holes already drilled in the tents), tempura made from your catch |
| Not included | Winter clothing and boots (bring your own) |
| Ages | 3 and up (child price for ages 3–12) |
| Languages | English and Japanese |
| Prices and cancellation | Listed on the booking page. Please check them before you book. |
Where Is the Barato River?
The Barato River (茨戸川, Barato-gawa) used to be part of the Ishikari River. To tame the flood-prone Ishikari, engineers cut a new channel that was completed in 1933. The old bend left behind, an oxbow lake, is today’s Barato River (Sapporo Development and Construction Department, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau).
According to the operator, the river runs from northern Sapporo into Ishikari City and is about 20 km (12 miles) long and about 200 m (650 ft) wide. In winter, a village of fishing tents appears on the frozen surface. The operator says it is closer to central Sapporo than Hokkaido’s other major ice fishing lakes, and a Klook reviewer describes the ride from Sapporo as about 30 minutes.
What to Expect on the Day
- Meet up: Be in front of Lawson Sapporo Kita 8-jo Nishi store 10 minutes before departure. It’s a 3-minute walk straight north from the North Exit (West Concourse) of JR Sapporo Station.
- Ride to the tent village: The operator drives you to the Barato River, about 30 minutes away.
- Get set up: You’ll get a rod and bait, and staff show you how to bait the hook and how to spot a bite.
- Fish for 1.5–2 hours: You fish through holes in the ice inside a tent. Staff stay nearby to help and share tips.
- Eat your catch: Your wakasagi are fried as tempura on the spot.
- Head back: The tour ends at the meeting point at 12:45 (morning tour) or 16:45 (afternoon tour).
Because you’re back in central Sapporo by early afternoon or early evening, you can still sightsee for the rest of the day.
How Many Fish Will You Catch?
It depends on the weather and the fish that day. Here’s what Klook reviewers reported during the 2026 season (January–March):
- A guide told one family that 10 fish is good and 20 is great. That family caught 51 between them.
- A family with kids aged 3 and 6 caught 20–30 smelt.
- One guest struggled at first, got one-on-one coaching from the guide, and then caught several.
- Another guest said the guide helped put bait on the hooks.
These numbers come from reviews and aren’t a guarantee. Go for the experience of sitting on a frozen river and the hot tempura at the end, and treat every fish as a bonus.
What to Wear for Ice Fishing in Sapporo
Fishing gear is included, but both Klook and the operator list warm winter clothing as essential, and neither mentions clothing or boot rental. Plan to bring your own.
Sapporo winter weather (Japan Meteorological Agency averages, 1991–2020)
| Month | Average temp | Average daily low | Average deepest snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | -0.9°C (30.4°F) | -4.0°C (24.8°F) | 47 cm (18.5 in) |
| January | -3.2°C (26.2°F) | -6.4°C (20.5°F) | 76 cm (29.9 in) |
| February | -2.7°C (27.1°F) | -6.2°C (20.8°F) | 95 cm (37.4 in) |
| March | 1.1°C (34.0°F) | -2.4°C (27.7°F) | 82 cm (32.3 in) |
These are readings for central Sapporo. You’ll be out on a frozen river, so dress for the cold.
What to wear (listed by Klook and the operator):
- Winter jacket
- Snow pants (waterproof and windproof)
- Thermal base layers
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Insulated winter boots you can walk in snow with
Nice to have:
- Disposable hand warmers
- A spare pair of gloves (handling bait and fish can get them wet)
- Your phone (you show your Klook voucher on screen)
Before You Book
The season depends on the ice
The operator’s official dates are December 25, 2026 to March 22, 2027. On Klook, dates can be selected from December 25, 2026 (checked September 29, 2026). The last bookable date in March differs slightly between the operator’s site and Klook, so if you’re going in late March, check the booking calendar.
Ice fishing only happens once the river is frozen solid enough. At another fishing site on the same Barato River, run by a local farm (とれた小屋ふじい農場), the ice was only 5–9 cm (2–3.5 in) thick on January 2 in the mild 2025–26 winter, and its opening was pushed back to January 8. Dates near the start and end of the season are the most affected by ice conditions.
Cancellations and weather
- As of September 2026, the Klook listing says the operator may cancel for unforeseen events or extreme weather. If that happens, you can reschedule or get a full refund.
- Cancellation terms for your own plans are listed on the booking page. Terms can change, so please check the booking page before you book.
- Be at the meeting point 10 minutes before departure.
Age requirements
- Ages 3 and up can join. Ages 3–12 pay the child price, based on official ID.
- Participants aged 13–19 must be accompanied by a paying adult (Klook’s eligibility rules).
Confirmation
Bookings are confirmed instantly, within minutes. On the day, show your mobile voucher.
Getting to the Meeting Point from New Chitose Airport
The meeting point is a 3-minute walk north of JR Sapporo Station’s North Exit (West Concourse). Staying near Sapporo Station makes the morning meet-up easy.
New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station: The JR Rapid Airport train takes 37 minutes at the fastest (JR Hokkaido). During the day (9:00–16:00), six trains run every hour.
The morning tour leaves at 9:15, which is hard to make on the day you fly in. Arriving in Sapporo the day before is the safer plan. If you want to join on your arrival day, leave plenty of time for flight delays.
👉 How to bring fishing rods to Japan and get from the airport to your fishing spot
Traveling with lots of luggage? You can book a transfer from New Chitose Airport to your Sapporo hotel in advance. 👉 Book a New Chitose Airport to Sapporo transfer with Welcome Pickups
Stay connected: You’ll show your Klook voucher on your phone and may need to stay in touch on the day, so set up mobile data for Japan before you go. 👉 The best eSIMs for fishing trips in Japan
Another Option: Barato River Ice Fishing on KKday
KKday also lists a smelt ice fishing experience on the Barato River. As of October 2026, it showed as sold out, so it’s not clear whether it will take bookings this season. Please check the listing for availability before you plan around it.
- Meeting point: In front of Lawson Sapporo Kita 8-jo Nishi store (the same spot as the Klook tour), then by bus
- Duration: About 4 hours, with about 2 hours of fishing
- Languages: English and Japanese
- Gear: Fishing gear is provided. According to the listing, snow boots are the only clothing available to borrow (let the staff know on the day)
- Tempura: Freshly fried smelt tempura whether you catch fish or not
- Ages: 3 to 90, minimum 2 people
- Prices and cancellation: Listed on the booking page. Please check them before you book.
👉 See the Barato River ice fishing experience on KKday
FAQ
Can I go ice fishing in Sapporo with no experience? Yes. Rods and bait are provided, staff teach you how to fish, and the holes in the tents are already drilled, so you can start as soon as you arrive.
Can kids join the Sapporo ice fishing tour? Yes, from age 3. One Klook review is from a family who joined with children aged 3 and 6.
Do the guides speak English? Yes. Guides speak English and Japanese.
Do I need a fishing license for ice fishing in Hokkaido? Admission is included in the tour, according to the Klook listing. For Japan’s fishing rules in general, see my guide. 👉 Do you need a fishing license in Japan?
What happens if the ice is too thin to fish? As of September 2026, the Klook listing says that if the operator cancels because of unforeseen events or extreme weather, you can reschedule or get a full refund. The listing doesn’t say how cancellations due to ice conditions are handled, so if you’re worried, ask Klook via chat before you book. Terms can change, so please check the booking page before you book.
Can I take the fish home? Neither the Klook listing nor the operator’s site mentions taking fish home. On the tour, your catch is fried as tempura on the spot. If you want to take fish with you, ask the operator after booking.
When is the best time to go ice fishing in Sapporo? The operator runs the tour from late December to mid-March. Dates near the start and end of the season are the most affected by ice conditions, so if your dates are flexible, aim for the middle of the season.
Summary
- Meet a 3-minute walk from Sapporo Station and spend half a day ice fishing for wakasagi, finished with fresh tempura.
- Fishing gear is included, but bring your own warm clothing and winter boots.
- The season runs from late December to mid-March, depending on the ice.
- Prices, availability, and cancellation terms vary by date, so check the booking page before you book.
👉 Book the Sapporo Smelt Fishing Experience on Klook
Sources (checked September 29, 2026)
- Earth Outdoor Tours, Sapporo Ice Fishing Tour (official): https://earthot.com/content/tours/winter_sapporo_wakasagi_en/
- Sapporo Development and Construction Department, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, history of the Barato River (Japanese): https://www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/sp/kasen_keikaku/kluhh4000000bbu0.html
- Japan Meteorological Agency, climate normals for Sapporo (Japanese): https://www.data.jma.go.jp/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=14&block_no=47412
- JR Hokkaido, New Chitose Airport to Sapporo: https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/travel/airport.html
- とれた小屋ふじい農場 (Fujii Farm), wakasagi fishing on the Barato River (Japanese): https://toreta-fujii.com/wakasagifishing/