The 39th Ikutahara Yamabe Festival Held in Engaru Town, Okhotsk!

Poster for the 39th Ikutahara Yamabe Festival

Background of the Event

The "Ikutahara River," a tributary of the Yubetsu River, is a treasure trove of yamabe (masu salmon). During the season, anglers from all over the country visit this river. The opening day for yamabe fishing in the Ikutahara River is July 1st every year. The Ikutahara Yamabe Festival is a traditional festival to celebrate this opening day.

"Yamabe" monument on the Ikutahara River bank

Event Details

Location

619-4 Ikutahara, Engaru Town, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido

Ikutahara Community Center Parking Lot

[Fishing Tournament]

339-1 Ikutahara, Engaru Town, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido

Ikutahara General Branch Office Parking Lot

Date and Time

July 4, 2026 (Sat) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

*Fishing tournament registration starts at 7:00 AM

Participation Fee (Fishing Tournament)

Adults (high school students and older): 500 yen, Elementary and Junior High School Students: 300 yen

*Rod and bait rental fee: 500 yen

Yamabe Festival Tickets

Advance tickets: 1,000 yen

Same-day tickets: 1,100 yen

*1,100 yen value (500 yen cash voucher + six 100 yen tickets + lucky draw ticket)

Program and Content

Green Fairy Yama-chan Magic Show (from 3:00 PM), KINZ & K-ing Mini Live (from 3:30 PM)

Engaru Self-Defense Force Band, Ikutahara Taiko and Engaru Ganbou Taiko drum performances, local dance team performances, mochi-maki (rice cake throwing), lucky draw, and more.

A scene from the Ikutahara Yamabe Festival. In addition to the famous "Yamabe Fry," local restaurants and popular food trucks will also be present.

A powerful performance by the Ikutahara Taiko drummers.

Fishing Tournament

Flyer for the fishing tournament. This is a competition to determine the total weight of yamabe caught. Prizes and awards will be given to the top participants.

Spots in Ikutahara Beyond the Ikutahara Yamabe Festival

[Chacha World]

A museum collecting wooden toys from about 40 countries around the world. It exhibits and houses 10,000 wooden toys of various sizes, including mechanical toys, marionettes, and nutcrackers. There is also a play area with toys. The adjacent Fujishiro Seiji Shadow Art Koropokkuru Museum displays "Kōsai Ririki," one of the world's largest shadow art pieces created by master shadow artist Seiji Fujishiro over two years. It's a facility where both children and adults can return to their childhood.

Chacha World

[Ikutahara Onsen Hotel North King]

This hot spring, originating from 300 meters underground, offers various baths including high-temperature, low-temperature, and medicinal baths. The highlight is the natural hot spring cold plunge pool, which is great for refreshing after a sauna. The "Ganbanyoku" (hot stone spa) is also recommended for a deep body warming experience. The restaurant menu is also extensive.

Ikutahara Onsen Hotel North King

Comments

"Kirakukan" (Mokurakukan), where the Engaru Town Tourism Association is located.

Masaki Kobayashi, Secretary-General, General Incorporated Association Engaru Town Tourism Association

When heading towards the Okhotsk region from Sapporo or Asahikawa, Engaru Town is the first Okhotsk town you encounter.

It boasts attractive tourist spots such as the National Treasure "Artifacts from the Hokkaido Shirataki Archaeological Sites" and the Hokkaido Heritage "Amamiya No. 21" forest railway.