Meet Ama Divers and Fishermen in Shima City, Mie Prefecture

Visit Shima, a region surrounded by the rich and beautiful sea, and interact with Ama divers and fishermen to learn about and immerse yourself in this unique fishing community.

The Ise-Shima area is known as the place where you can meet Ama divers. It is where about half of Japan's Ama divers, whose culture is recognized as a Japan heritage, are active. The peninsula is surrounded by the open sea and is rich in seafood such as Ise-ebi lobster, abalone, and Anori puffer fish (Anorifugu), and it is also famous for its pearl cultivation. Thanks to this abundance of riches from the sea, this place was once known as Miketsukuni, responsible for offerings from the sea to the Imperial Court in ancient times. Here, you can experience the culture of the Ama divers and fishermen, and feel the energy and smiles of the locals!

What is an Ama diver?
A traditional occupation of women, it is a female diver who free dives into the sea to collect shellfish and seaweed.

1Ama Hut
@SATOUMIAN

An Ama hut is where Ama divers rest after work and warm themselves by a fire. At SATOUMIAN, you can interact with Ama divers, whose culture is registered as a Japan heritage.
Enjoy a meal of fresh seafood caught around Ise-Shima in a wooden building reassembling an Ama hut while listening to precious stories of work and the sea from Ama divers.

Address 2279 Koshika, Shima-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture
Access

[BUS]
About 60 minutes from Ugata Station
3-minute walk from Azurihama bus stop (bound for Goza Port).

[Taxi]
Taxis are stationed at Ugata Station and takes about 30 minutes (approx. 7,000 to 8,000 yen).

[CAR/CAR RENTAL]
CAR…Ise Expressway Ise IC→Ise-Futami-Toba Line (toll-free section) →Daini-Ise Road (toll-free section) →Shiraki IC→Go straight for Goza on Route 260→Turn left at the blue traffic information signboard for Azurihama→Turn right at the end and go straight. Look out for the signboard of the Ama hut.

CAR RENTAL…ORIX Rent-a-Car is located in front of Ugata Station.
Orix Rent-a-Car: +81 599 43 1098

Closed・
Hours

[Closed]December 30 - January 1; other holidays will be announced on thewebsite.

[Hours]11:00 - 20:30 (last 19:00 start)

Information
  • The facility is not equipped with air conditioning or heating.
  • Seafood is grilled on a charcaol grill. Be careful of airborne ash and flying sparkles.
  • Ordering only optional items is not accepted.

1Diving Experience with Ama Diver
@ Entrada Kashikojima

The only plan where you can dive alongside Ama divers who know all about the sea and Ago Bay, an area famous for pearl cultivation. You can observe and immerse yourself in traditional Ama diver fishing, a culture that has been around for 2,000 years, and listen to stories about its history and culture, the divers' experiences, and how they live their lives. You also have the opportunity to enjoy a ride on a fishing boat.

Address Entrada Kashikojima, 752-21, Shinmei, Ago-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture
Access 1-minute walk from Kashikojima Station on the Kintetsu Line.
Closed・
Hours

[Closed]Irregular days

[Hours]9:30 - 17:00

Information For 13 years old (junior high school age) and older (You must be physically and mentally healthy to take this part).
Please note that the tour may be canceled in case of bad weather.

1Basket Fishing Experience
@ Entrada Kashikojima

Experience basket fishing from a fishing boat with local fishermen who know all about Ago Bay. Basket fishing is a method of fishing where baskets with bait attached are set on the seabed to catch fish. In this plan, you will be given an oppourtunity to pull out the baskets from the sea.

Address Entrada Kashikojima, 752-21, Shinmei, Ago-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture
Access 1-minute walk from Kashikojima Station on the Kintetsu Line.
Closed・
Hours

[Closed]Irregular days

[Hours]9:30~17:00

Information Please inform us in advance if you want to have your fish cooked in a restaurant, etc. (optional).
Please note that there may be cases where there is no catch.
Please note that the tour may be canceled in case of bad weather.

1Smoked Bonito Flake Workshop Tour
@Katsuo No Tenpaku

At the tip of Cape Daio in Nakiri in Shima City is Katsuo No Tenpaku's Bonito Flake Workshop. Nakiri used to be a major producer of "Nakiri-bushi," bonito flakes that were offered to Ise Shrine. Here, Katsuo No Tenpaku sticks to the conventional method and carries on the tradition of "Nakiri-bushi". You can learn about the history and making process of Nakiri's bonito flakes by observing the work done at a smoked bonito flake shop. Also, through a tour and tasting, you can experience Japan's soup stock culture and learn more about a key ingredient of Japanese cuisine.

Address 393 Nakiri, Daio-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture (location of the Smoked Bonito Flake Workshop)
Access

[CAR]
Turn right at Ise Nishi IC (intersection) onto Prefectural Route 32→Turn right at "Erihara Amenity-mae" (intersection) onto Route 167
Go straight at "Tsuchihashi" and continue on Route 167→Go straight at "Akamatsugadani" (intersection) and continue on to Route 260.
Continue on Route 260 and turn right at "Daiozaki Entrance" onto Prefectural Road 515→Turn left at the next traffic light and follow the road→Turn left at "Daiozaki Tourist Parking Lot" and follow the road to the right

Closed・
Hours
[Closed]
  • sundays
  • August 12 - August 16 (processing factory closed during the Bon Festival)
  • December 1 - January 10 (year-end busy season and New Year holidays)

[Hours]

  • Tour time (1 hour) *The time may vary depending on the period.
  • October - May: (1) From 11:00 (2) From 15:00
  • June - September: (1) From 10:00 only

Information Reservations are accepted up to two days prior to the tour date. Advance reservations only.

Location: Candidate sites in Shima City (Azurihama Beach, Tomoyama Park, etc.)
Photography: Hideaki Miyamoto

1Ise-Shima National Park
Starry Night Tour
(with commemorative photo)

This tour takes you to Ise-Shima National Park, located in Shima City, to enjoy a beautiful view of the starry night sky. You can even enjoy a commentary on the sky by a professional guide. During the full moon period, observation of the moon is offered as well. You can enjoy star patterns that cannot be seen with the naked eye through an astronomical telescope. During the viewing, the staff will take commemorative photos of you with the stars. The photo data will be sent to you later as a gift. Share your wonderful memories of Shima with your family and friends!

Address Candidate sites in Shima City (Azurihama Beach, Tomoyama Park, etc.)
Closed・
Hours

[Closed]Irregular days

[Hours]9:00~17:00

Information
  • Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will close when capacity is reached.
  • The event may be canceled in case of bad weather. Refunds for the cost of transportation to the site will not be provided in case of cancellation.
  • Please be aware that the stars may be obscured by cloudy weather on the day.
  • The content of the event may be subject to change at the discretion of the organizer.
  • Star viewing and photography may not be possible due to bad weather conditions on the day.
  • The organizer will contact you directly if the event is canceled due to certain circumstances.
  • In the case of no-shows due to private reasons, it is not possible to substitute for another day, transfer to another person, participate on behalf of someone, and receive a refund of the part

Location: Candidate sites in Shima City (Azurihama Beach, Tomoyama Park, etc.)
Photography: Hideaki Miyamoto