Sapporo Ice Fishing & Tempura on the Barato River: A Cozy Winter Escape
Crunching snow, rows of colourful tents on a frozen river, and the smell of freshly fried tempura… this half-day ice fishing tour on the Barato River turns a chilly Sapporo morning or afternoon into a very Japanese winter memory. This guided wakasagi (Japanese smelt) ice fishing experience is ideal if you want something easy, family-friendly and close to downtown Sapporo—without needing to buy gear or figure out local fishing rules on your own.
Tour Snapshot
- Location: Barato River, on the outskirts of Sapporo / Ishikari, Hokkaido
- Duration: About 3–3.5 hours door-to-door
- Departure times: 09:15 & 13:15 from Sapporo Station (meet 10 minutes before)
- Season: Winter only (when the river is safely frozen; typically Jan–early Mar)
- Who can join: Ages 3–85, beginners welcome
- Includes: Transport from Sapporo Station, all fishing gear, tent space, and tempura made from your catch
Why Try Ice Fishing on the Barato River?
Easy winter adventure from central Sapporo
Barato River is roughly a 30–40 minute drive from central Sapporo, so you spend most of your time actually on the ice instead of stuck in transit. It’s a great add-on to a Snow Festival itinerary or a short winter city break.
Beginner-friendly & family-friendly
Wakasagi are small, schooling fish—perfect for first-time anglers and kids with short attention spans. The guide team shows you how to bait the hook, lower your line through drilled ice holes, and feel the tiny tug when a fish bites. Even if you’ve never fished before, you can relax and enjoy the novelty.
All gear & warm shelter included
No need to shop for rods or figure out what bait to buy. Your tour includes:
- Fishing rod and tackle set
- Bait and small tools
- Use of a shared fishing tent set up on the frozen river
- Chairs or stools inside the tent
You just show up dressed properly for the cold; everything else is set up for you.
Taste your catch as hot tempura
The highlight for many guests is the tempura: staff will fry up your freshly caught wakasagi on site so you can enjoy them crispy and piping hot, right on the ice. It’s simple, salty, and incredibly satisfying after sitting in the cold.
What’s Included
According to the official tour details, your booking typically covers:
- Transportation between Sapporo Station and the Barato River
- Ice fishing experience on the frozen river (about 1.5–2 hours)
- Use of a fishing tent on the ice
- Full set of rental fishing equipment and bait
- Admission/usage fee for the fishing area
- Tempura made from the wakasagi you catch
- Support from local staff, with English assistance available
Not Included
- Winter clothing (jacket, snow pants, boots, etc.)
- Drinks and extra snacks
- Travel insurance
- Tips/gratuities (optional)
Who This Tour Is Best For
- Families with kids (3+): Calm, low-impact activity that feels like a snowy picnic, with the bonus of catching fish.
- First-time anglers: No need to know knots or techniques; guides help with everything from baiting to landing your first fish.
- Couples & small groups: The cozy tent setting and shared tempura tasting make it a fun winter date or friend outing.
- Sapporo short-stay visitors: With flexible morning and afternoon departures, it’s easy to slot into a tight city itinerary.
Requirements, Restrictions & Safety
From the tour’s official “Important information” section:
- Age: Participants must be between 3 and 85 years old.
- Children: Preschool-aged children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Weather: The schedule can change, or the tour can be canceled, due to poor weather, unsafe ice, or traffic conditions.
- Fitness: You’ll need to walk short distances on snow/ice and sit in cold temperatures for around 2 hours.
If conditions are unsafe, the operator may shorten or cancel the activity entirely, in which case they’ll follow the stated change/cancellation policy.
What to Wear & Bring
The operator explicitly requires warm winter clothing, including snow pants, boots, hat and gloves.
Clothing checklist
- Thermal base layer (top and leggings)
- Fleece or wool mid-layer
- Waterproof or windproof winter jacket
- Insulated snow pants
- Warm, waterproof snow boots
- Thick socks (plus a spare pair if your feet get cold easily)
- Beanie, scarf/neck warmer
- Insulated gloves or mittens (water-resistant if possible)
Useful extras
- Disposable hand and foot warmers
- Sunglasses (snow glare can be intense, even on cloudy days)
- Lip balm and moisturizer
- Power bank for your phone (cold drains batteries quickly)
- Small snacks and a hot drink in a thermos
When to Go
Barato River’s wakasagi season runs during the colder winter months when the river surface freezes solid. The Sapporo city tourism board highlights this experience as a classic winter outing, typically available from mid-January to early March, depending on ice conditions.
- Weather: Expect sub-zero temperatures, frequent snowfall and wind chill.
- Pair it with:
- Sapporo Snow Festival (early February)
- Evening views from the Sapporo TV Tower or the JR Tower
- Soak in nearby Jozankei after your cold-weather adventure
Prices, Operation Days & Cancellation
Current sample prices on the official tour page (subject to change):
- Adults (13–85): ~USD 39–40
- Children (3–12): ~USD 33
The tour operates daily in season, with both morning and afternoon options.
Cancellation policy (summary)
The provider’s standard policy is:
- 30% fee: From 2 business days to 1 business day before (from 00:00, 2 days prior).
- 50% fee: From 00:00 to 23:59 on the business day before the activity.
- 100% fee: After 23:59 on the business day before, or for no-shows.
Changes to date/time or number of participants are treated the same as cancellations and may incur fees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Catch Flights, Catch Fish, Catch Feels
If winter in Sapporo is already on your radar, a Barato River ice fishing session is the perfect way to level up your trip. It’s short, cozy, and low-stress. No gear shopping, no language barriers, no guesswork about where to go. Just snow, smelt, and fresh tempura on a frozen river. Lock in your spot now so you don’t miss out on peak season dates.
