Ayu fishing on the Kamikatsura River, a summer tradition in Keihoku, will open on Saturday, June 20th.

The ayu (sweetfish) raised in the Kami-Katsura River have long been known for their excellent taste and aroma. From the Heian period until the end of the Edo period, the ayu caught here were presented to the imperial court and delivered alive to the palace as "tribute ayu." It is said that the ayu caught in the river were placed in large jars or buckets filled with water and transported along mountain paths to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, with the water being changed many times along the way.
Nowadays, the ayu (sweetfish) caught by fishermen are shipped to local restaurants, restaurants in Kyoto city, and even as far away as Tokyo.

This year's opening date for ayu fishing on the Kamikatsura River

Fly fishing: Opening on Saturday, June 20th at 5:00 AM.
Ayu lure fishing: Opening at 5:00 AM on Saturday, June 20th (limited to downstream from Yachiyo Bridge in the Shuzan area; not a designated fishing zone).
Ayu lure fishing (all rivers): Opening at 5:00 AM on Saturday, August 29th.
Net fishing: Opens at 8:00 AM on Saturday, September 12th.
Plain fishing: Opening at 5:00 AM on Monday, September 19th.
*This year, the opening date for ayu lure fishing has been moved up.
*Bait fishing and fly fishing for sweetfish are prohibited. Also, fishing for sweetfish at night with a light is also prohibited.
Capturing fishery resources using prohibited methods is considered poaching ("I didn't know" is not a valid excuse).
Poaching may be reported to the police, so please be sure to follow the rules.

This year, the release of young ayu (sweetfish) will begin on April 20th, with approximately 3 tons of young ayu being released by the opening day of the fishing season.

A special fishing license for ayu is required to fish for ayu.
Fishing licenses are sold at well-known fishing tackle shops in Kyoto city (annual licenses only) and local bait shops.
Near the fishing cooperative, there is FamilyMart Keihoku Shuzancho store (open from 6am to 1am),
You can purchase it at the Woody Keihoku roadside station (open from 9 am to 6 pm).
Please bring a recently taken passport-sized photograph with you when making your purchase.
Daily tickets will only be sold at designated ticket shops and bait shops within the district, starting July 4th (Saturday).
In addition, the online fishing ticket service Tsuri Ticket also sells day tickets.

Despite being not far from downtown Kyoto, the clear waters of the Kamikatsura River attract many ayu fishing enthusiasts every year.
Because the ayu fishing season is limited to a short period of about two months in the summer, ayu fishing enthusiasts eagerly await the opening day.

Kamikatsura River Fisheries Cooperative Association Homepage