[Kitahiroshima City] Recommended for families: Experience rustling in the Watatsu River near F Village

Explore the riverside near the popular Escon Field ballpark and discover underwater creatures you wouldn't normally see! The Wattsu River is a 14.2-kilometer-long, first-class river that originates in Kamiwattsu, Kitahiroshima City, and flows into the Chitose River. The town of Kitahiroshima began in 1884, when 103 people from 25 households immigrated from Hiroshima Prefecture and settled along the river. While the area now boasts a waterfront environment, the river has witnessed the town's continued development. Rummaging through the undergrowth with a dip net, you'll encounter a variety of aquatic creatures. The river is just under 15 kilometers long, but its diverse habitat will surely pique your interest. Depending on the season, students studying aquatic life at a vocational school will also be available as guides, so be sure to ask them questions. You can learn about the rich water environment of Kitahiroshima and the Ishikari region, and enjoy our water activities as a project for elementary school students' independent research or as a way to safely enjoy playing near water. After the experience, you might also want to visit Escon Field Hokkaido, the ballpark of your dreams.

All you need is a dip net, and you can catch aquatic insects and fish just by rummaging through the grass near the water. It's a simple, fun and interesting game. This product was created in collaboration with students from a maritime technical college, and is also useful for independent research.

The simple act of catching creatures is interesting because it brings out the instinct to catch creatures in both adults and children, and it's like being a child again. Just dipping your feet in the cold water can feel cool.

The Fukudojo, a species endemic to Hokkaido, is different from ordinary loaches, so you may feel a sense of Hokkaido. You may also be able to encounter rare aquatic insects such as giant water bugs and water stick insects.