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Southern Hokkaido Fishing & Travel Guide: Hakodate, Lake Toya and Ebetsu

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What This Guide Covers
  • Our complete late-March to early-April route through southern Hokkaido after arriving from New Zealand
  • Links to our Lake Toya, southern Hokkaido stream, and Torisaki River fishing reports
  • Hakodate food, local hot springs, and sightseeing around Ebetsu
  • Practical notes on reaching and traveling around southern Hokkaido

Hi everyone! I’m Yagi, a traveling trout angler from Japan.

After returning from a fishing trip in New Zealand, I traveled directly to Hokkaido. This page brings together our full journey through Ebetsu, Hakodate, Lake Toya, and the streams of southern Hokkaido—a trip filled with fishing, local food, hot springs, and long drives through late-winter scenery. The related articles are arranged in roughly the same order as our route, so feel free to start wherever your interests take you.

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Our Route: Ebetsu → Hakodate → Lake Toya → Southern Hokkaido Streams

🗓 Trip at a Glance: Late March to Early April
  • From March 20 — Ebetsu: Ishikari River fishing, Tsutaya Books, and a local hot spring
  • From March 25 — Drive toward Hakodate via Roadside Station Akaigawa and views of Mount Yotei
  • From March 27 — Hakodate: Showa Onsen, Lucky Pierrot, and Hasegawa Store
  • March 29 — A full day of Hakodate food, including Seicomart and Nemuro Hanamaru conveyor-belt sushi
  • From March 31 — Two-part southern Hokkaido stream trip: rainbow trout and two brown trout over 50 cm (about 20 inches)
  • April 1 — Trout fishing on the Torisaki River
  • On the return drive — Lake Toya fishing and a rainbow trout over 50 cm
  • Final day — Local food in Shiroishi, Sapporo, followed by an airport bus

🎣 Fishing

Southern Hokkaido offers varied trout fishing, but there is no single opening date or rule that applies to every stream. Regulations can differ by river, lake, species, fishery right, and protected area, so anglers must check the current official rules and local access conditions for each location. On this trip, Lake Toya produced a rainbow trout over 50 cm, while a stream in southern Hokkaido produced two brown trout over 50 cm.

Large rainbow trout caught while fishing at Lake Toya in Hokkaido
Lakeside scenery at Lake Toya in Hokkaido
あわせて読みたい
Lake Toya Fishing Guide: Permits, Seasons, Rules and Trout
Lake Toya Fishing Guide: Permits, Seasons, Rules and Trout
Brown trout fishing in a stream in southern Hokkaido
Brown trout measuring over 50 cm from southern Hokkaido
あわせて読みたい
Early Spring Trout Fishing in Southern Hokkaido: A March Stream Adventure Near Hakodate
Early Spring Trout Fishing in Southern Hokkaido: A March Stream Adventure Near Hakodate
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Early Spring Brown Trout Fishing in Hakodate: Two 50 cm+ Fish in March
Early Spring Brown Trout Fishing in Hakodate: Two 50 cm+ Fish in March
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Torisaki River Trout Fishing near Hakodate: Access, March Conditions and Rules
Torisaki River Trout Fishing near Hakodate: Access, March Conditions and Rules

🍜 Food, Hot Springs, and Sightseeing

Hakodate is a wonderful city for casual local food. We tried Lucky Pierrot, Hasegawa Store, Nemuro Hanamaru conveyor-belt sushi, and Seicomart—four distinctly Hokkaido experiences. In Ebetsu, we also stopped at Tsutaya Books and a neighborhood hot spring. Our travel style is less about rushing through famous landmarks and more about enjoying the everyday places that local people use.

Lucky Pierrot local food in Hakodate
Nemuro Hanamaru conveyor-belt sushi in Hakodate
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函館ローカル温泉&B級グルメ旅|昭和温泉・ラッキーピエロ・ハセガワストアを地元民目線で体験
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View of Mount Yotei on the drive from Ebetsu to Hakodate
Roadside Station Akaigawa on a Hokkaido road trip
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3月の北海道・江別旅|ザンギ定食・石狩川釣り・源泉温泉を1日で全部楽しんだ旅レポ
3月の北海道・江別旅|ザンギ定食・石狩川釣り・源泉温泉を1日で全部楽しんだ旅レポ
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✈️ Transport and Access

This trip followed an unusual route: we returned from our New Zealand fishing journey and continued almost immediately to Hokkaido. The article below records that international-to-domestic transition and the beginning of our journey within Hokkaido.

View from the airplane while traveling to Hokkaido
Arriving in Ebetsu, Hokkaido
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【NZ釣り旅から北海道へ】寝て起きたら季節も国も超える!海外・国内移動記録
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q
When does stream fishing open in southern Hokkaido?

There is no single opening date for every stream in southern Hokkaido. Rules can differ by water, area, species, fishery right, and season, and access may also be restricted by private land or local notices. Before fishing, check the latest official Hokkaido fishing rules and regional maps, then confirm any rules issued by the relevant fishery cooperative or land manager.

Q
Do I need a fishing permit for Lake Toya?

Yes. Lake Toya has its own recreational fishing rules, permit system, open seasons, fishing hours, and permanent no-fishing zones. Our English Lake Toya guide explains the system in detail, but permit prices, sellers, and regulations can change, so always confirm the current information with the Lake Toya Fishery Cooperative before fishing.

Q
What local food should I try in Hakodate?

Our favorites from this trip were Lucky Pierrot, Hasegawa Store’s yakitori bento, Nemuro Hanamaru conveyor-belt sushi, and Seicomart. Lucky Pierrot and Hasegawa Store are especially associated with Hakodate, while Seicomart is a familiar part of everyday life across Hokkaido. The linked trip reports show what we ordered and what each place was like.

Q
What is the easiest way to travel around southern Hokkaido?

For a route combining Ebetsu, Hakodate, Lake Toya, and remote fishing areas, a rental car is usually the most flexible option. Depending on your starting point and itinerary, New Chitose Airport or Hakodate Airport may be more convenient. Flight schedules, airport-bus routes, rental conditions, road closures, and winter driving conditions can change, so check current transport information before booking.

Final Thoughts

  • Stream-fishing rules in southern Hokkaido vary by location; always verify current regulations and legal access before entering the water
  • Our trip produced a rainbow trout over 50 cm at Lake Toya and two brown trout over 50 cm in southern Hokkaido
  • Lucky Pierrot, Hasegawa Store, Nemuro Hanamaru, and Seicomart made Hakodate especially memorable
  • The Ebetsu–Hakodate–Lake Toya route combines beautiful scenery, fishing, food, and hot springs
  • A rental car gives the most flexibility, but late-winter road and weather conditions require careful planning
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ABOUT ME
Yagichan
Yagichan
Trout Angler & Outdoor Traveler
Hi, I’m Yagi, an outdoor enthusiast from Japan who loves trout fishing and travel. I share firsthand fishing reports, local rules and licenses, destination guides, gear reviews, and outdoor adventures from across Japan and beyond. Whether you are planning a fishing trip to Japan or simply enjoy exploring nature, I hope these guides help you travel with confidence and discover something new.
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