【FISHING】Fishing experience plan recommended for beginners

Three women enjoying smelt fishing in a dome boat

Smelt fishing has a reputation among anglers for being more fun than any other kind of fishing.

It takes very little strength, so children and first-timers can catch plenty without any trouble.

Why we recommend it

Easy enough for complete beginners
Held inside a heated dome boat, so it stays warm
You can catch a lot without being strong
Your catch is fried and served on the spot

POINT01

Easy enough for complete beginners

You do not need to know how to bait a hook or drop a line. No experience required.

All the gear is available to rent, and the instructors walk you through how to draw the smelt in.

If you would rather not touch the bait, an instructor will do it for you.

An instructor showing how to bait the hook

Fishing seats lined up inside the dome boat

POINT02

Held inside a dome boat, so it stays warmer than outside

If you picture smelt fishing as sitting out on a frozen lake in the cold, this is not that.

Our smelt fishing takes place inside a dome boat with a stove, so it works even if you do not do well in the cold, and children stay comfortable throughout.

POINT03

You can catch a lot without being strong

The fun of smelt fishing is simply how many you catch.

Ten or more at a time is common, and some people land several hundred in a day. Beginners usually get the hang of it within the first half hour.

Three women laughing with fishing rods in hand

POINT04

Your catch is fried and served on the spot

The smelt you catch are turned into tempura right there, and they taste better for having caught them yourself.

Fresh out of the water and straight out of the fryer, they have no muddy taste at all, and they go well with a beer.

A family tasting freshly fried smelt tempura

SMELT FISHINGTRY

We tried it ourselves

Three friends on the pier at Lake Kawaguchi

Three friends with autumn colors and Mt. Fuji behind

Three of our staff went out on the lake to try smelt fishing.

A quick photo with the mountains behind them. Just being beside the calm water of Lake Kawaguchi is enough to settle you.

Mt. Fuji is clearly in view, so you will want to keep taking pictures.

SMELT FISHINGPLAN

There are three options: a 90-minute plan, a 3-hour plan, and a 90-minute private boat for guests with dogs.

Lake Kawaguchi: 90-minute smelt fishing

A good fit if you want to try smelt fishing as part of a day out, or if you are travelling with children.

Price: Adults 3,500 yen each / Elementary school age and under 3,000 yen each
Times: 7:30-9:00, 10:30-12:00, 13:30-15:00

See details

Lake Kawaguchi: 3-hour smelt fishing

For anyone who wants to take their time with it.

Price: Adults 4,000 yen each / Elementary school age and under 3,500 yen each
Times: 12:00-15:00

See details

Smelt fishing with a dog on a mini dome boat

Lake Kawaguchi: 90-minute smelt fishing with your dog

If you want to bring your dog along, you can charter the whole mini dome boat.

A crate is provided on board, so you can cruise and fish with your dog beside you.

Price: 10,000 yen for the whole mini dome boat
Times: 7:30-9:00, 10:30-12:00, 13:30-15:00

See details

The following applies to every plan:

Fishing permit: 1,100 yen for high school age and above, 450 yen for junior high school age, free for elementary school age and under
Replacement tackle: 400 yen
Extra bait: 300 yen

All prices include tax.

*The images shown are for illustrative purposes only.

Period

Around November to April

Age Recommendation

Age 3 and up (children under this age may board the boat if they sit on their parent's lap)

Usage time

7:30〜15:00

Place

NaturaBase（ナチュラベース）
（〒401-0301 山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町船津4010）

Precautions

■How to make a reservation
From the website

■What is included in the price
・Full set of fishing equipment
・Free drink
・Ziplock bag for takeaway

■Contact information
TEL: 070-4484-5408 (9:00-18:00)

■Clothing and what to bring
Warm clothes

■Cancellation policy
2 days before: 20% of reservation fee
The day before: 50% of reservation fee
On the day or without permission: 100% of reservation fee
*No cancellation fee will be charged if the facility decides to cancel due to bad weather, etc.