Explore Japan’s River Traditions – Ayu (Sweetfish) and Yana Fishing in Motegi

After hiking Mt. Kamakura in Motegi, I always stop by Oose Yana—a traditional fishing spot on the Naka River.

The river here flows fast, like a natural water slide, and the breeze along the banks cools you down after a sweaty descent.

On the last Sunday of summer vacation, families gather to enjoy the river. Kids wave nets, chasing tiny fish in the shallows.
Just a reminder: rivers can be dangerous, so parents should keep a close eye on their children.

Yana fishing is an ancient Japanese method. Wooden slats are placed in the river to trap fish as they swim downstream.

In autumn, ayu (sweetfish) descend the river to spawn in stone-covered parts of the river with gentle currents. Their eggs hatch, and the baby fish drift to the sea, returning in spring to grow.

Fun fact: salmon swim upstream to spawn, but ayu swim downstream.

This life cycle means autumn is the perfect time to enjoy komochi-ayu (egg-bearing sweetfish) dishes like sweet simmered fish (kanroni) .

Yana fishing has been practiced for over 1300 years. It’s even mentioned in Japan’s oldest texts, Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.

Archaeological sites from the Jomon and Yayoi periods have revealed ayu bones—proof that this fish has long been part of Japanese life.

In Chinese, ayu is called xiang yu, which means “fragrant fish.”
In English, it is known as sweetfish, a name that reflects its clean taste and gentle aroma. 

Both names show that this fish smells nice and is pleasant to eat.

Oose Yana is now a hidden gem for international visitors. On my last visit, I even heard Chinese being spoken at nearby tables.

🐟 Popular Tourist Yana Fishing Sites in Japan
📍 Aichi Prefecture
•     Kansagawa Hiromi Yana (Shinshiro City)
📍 Tochigi Prefecture
•     Nasu Tourist Yana (Nasu Town, Nasu District)
•     Okamoto Tourist Yana (Utsunomiya City)
•     Kurobane Tourist Yana (Ōtawara City)
•     Shimozawa Yana (Kanuma City)
•     Ōse Yana (Motegi Town, Haga District)
•     Ayu-no-Sato Yazawa Yana (Nasukarasuyama City)