The following are some recommended outdoor activities in Tadami Town.
First of all, there is a fishing pond called 'Iwana no Sato', which is located in a secluded mountainous area far from the residential areas of the town.
There are ponds with a crystal-clear stream flowing into them, in which beautiful Iwana (Japanese char） and Yamame (landlocked salmon) swim.
These fish are abundant in Tadami, and the Japanese chars in particular have become a symbol of the town.
Japanese char is a member of the salmon family endemic to Japan, with an average length of about 30 cm and distinctive spots on the body.
It lives in clear, cold water and lives at the highest altitude of any fish in the country.
It is a unique fish that chooses to live in clear water rather than farther downstream, where food would be more plentiful and the water easier to swim in.
It has a big appetite and lives by preying on all sorts of things.
Depending on the environment, it can grow to over 60 cm in length and even eats snakes.
Japanese char is often seen, but it is very wary and requires a high level of skill to catch, but this has roused the enthusiasm of angling enthusiasts and it has become a popular recreational fishing target in Japan.
Tadami town used to be home to many large Japanese char , but since transport links have improved, they have been hunted down by the angling enthusiasts from all over the country and are now rarely seen.
However, many giant Japanese char are still said to lurk in Lake Tagokura.
In the 'Iwana no Sato', they cook the Japanese char that you catch on the spot.
It has a light taste and has no odour, and is sometimes eaten as sashimi.
The best way to eat it is to grill it with salt and gnaw into it while enjoying sake.
The restaurant also cooks deep-fried char
The fried fish takes a little longer to cook, but you can eat it all, including the bones.
The restaurant also has soba and udon noodles on the menu, which will easily satisfy your hunger.
You will not have the opportunity to catch or eat char unless you are in Japan.
Please come and visit for a rare experience.
Next, I recommend the Okuaizu Tadami no Mori campsite.
This campsite has a great sense of openness.
During the season, many visitors come from far and wide.
Cottages and bungalows are available there.
BBQs can be enjoyed if you make a reservation, and camping equipment is available for hire, so you can easily visit empty-handed. There are walking trails in the surrounding area, where you can enjoy a morning stroll while listening to the chirping of wild birds.
A major attraction of this campsite is that two old houses have been relocated to the site.
The larger house can accommodate up to 30 people and is equipped with an Irori (open hearth), allowing you to enjoy a typical Japanese atmosphere.
Irori is a traditional Japanese heating system that burns charcoal or wood to keep you warm.
Spending time around the hearth was once part of Japanese life.
These houses stood in the area that was submerged during the construction of Tagokura Dam, and Tadami town had many large houses like this for such a mountainous area.
Tadami town has long flourished as a hemp-growing area, and in modern times, sericulture has flourished and wild vegetables were distributed as brand-name products in the metropolitan area.
Many families earned a large income from this.
Now, these old houses are sometimes preserved as cultural assets in the area, but it is wonderful to see them put to good use for leisure activities.
Staying in such an old house with irori is a great opportunity to experience the old, nostalgic Japanese way of life.
Finally, I will introduce the Tadami Ski Resort.
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The location is within walking distance from Tadami Station and the Tadami Line runs nearby.
Although the resort is small, lift fares are less than 3000 yen per day for adults, and even cheaper on weekdays.
Compared to major ski resorts, it is very cheap.
Ski equipment rental is also reasonably priced, allowing you to enjoy winter recreation at your leisure.
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About half of the slopes are wide and gentle and are ideal for beginners and families.
A wide range of activities are available, including banana boarding and snowmobiling with reservations.
The ski resort's restaurants also offer a wide range of classic Japanese dishes such as soba noodles, ramen and katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl).
The restaurant's recommended menu item is the Tomato Ramen, made with locally grown tomatoes from the town of Tadami.
I have yet to try it, but it has received many reviews saying it is very tasty.
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You can enjoy the snowy scenery of the Tadami Line and play in the snow at the ski resort on a day trip.
I can highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the snow in a casual way.