One of the characteristic sights of autumn in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture, is the ayu fish weir, known as an “ayu-yana,” stretching across the width of the Gokase River. These traditional fishing structures are built using logs and stones and are designed to catch sweetfish as they travel downstream.
In spring, young ayu swim upstream into the upper reaches of the Gokase River. During summer, they feed on diatoms and other algae in the clear river water, gradually growing into mature fish with a rich layer of fat. In autumn, they begin moving toward the middle and lower reaches of the river to spawn. The ayu-yana is used to catch them during this seasonal migration.
In Nobeoka, the peak season for ayu is from October through November. During this period, visitors can enjoy a variety of dishes prepared with freshly caught mature sweetfish.
Popular preparations include salt-grilled ayu, miso-grilled ayu, sego-shi (thinly sliced raw fish), and ayu rice, in which the fish is cooked with rice. Each preparation offers a different way to appreciate the distinctive flavor of sweetfish.
The traditional ayu-yana fishing structures are part of the seasonal landscape of Nobeoka and reflect the close relationship between the river and the local community. The autumn fishing season is an ideal time to discover the clear waters of the Gokase River and enjoy the sweetfish cuisine that has long been associated with the region.