When you think of smelt fishing, you probably imagine drilling a hole in the ice several dozen centimeters deep on a frigid lake, enduring the cold in the middle of nature... But there's actually a spot near Sapporo where you can enjoy smelt fishing. And you don't need any special equipment! We tried it out for ourselves, so be sure to check it out! You can fish for smelt at the Barato River. It is about 30 minutes by car from Sapporo Station at the "Toretagoya Fujii Farm Smelt Fishing Spot." There is also a bus from Sapporo Terminal, so it is easy for tourists from outside Hokkaido to get there! In January, during the harsh winter, the ice on the Barato River can reach a thickness of about 50cm. A vinyl greenhouse used on a farm has been modified and set up on the ice as a rest house, allowing us to enjoy smelt fishing in a comfortable environment. You can also rent all the necessary equipment here. For safety reasons, it is essential to wear warm clothing and winter shoes, but you can come empty-handed. There are also toilets at the reception area, so you don't have to worry. Once you have rented the necessary equipment, such as fishing rods, head inside the rest house! There are already several holes drilled, and you can drop your fishing line into them. If you are a beginner, we can provide a guide. I cast my fishing line and waited for a while... The fishing rod twitched, so I pulled it up at the same time, and a cute smelt appeared! You can put the smelt you caught into a bucket. It's fun! There is also a corner where they will fry the smelt you have caught for an additional fee. The freshly fried smelt tastes really good, and it gives you a sense of accomplishment that you caught it yourself.

Photo courtesy of Toretagoya Fujii Farm Smelt Fishing Spot

At the nearby farm restaurant "Vegetabele," you can enjoy dishes using smelt. We recommend stopping by on your way home to further explore the deliciousness of smelt.

Photo courtesy of Toretagoya Fujii Farm Smelt Fishing Spot

Also, at Toretagoya Fujii Farm, there is a corner for snow activities such as banana boats! You can have fun here all day with your family or friends. I'm really happy that smelt fishing, something we often see on TV travel shows, can now be experienced so easily. I'm sure it will become a great memory. ※I tried smelt fishing for the first time to see if it was possible to catch fish even though it was my first time! Please take a look at the video. <Toretagoya Fujii Farm Smelt Fishing Spot> Location: 243-2 Takuhoku, Shinoji-cho, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido Phone: 011-788-7475 Official site: http://toreta-fujii.com/fishing/ (Model: Yui Fukuhira)