Watch a Traditional Cormorant Fishing Show from a Boat

【OUTLINE】　

While listening to the sounds of the streams, enjoy a unique way of fishing by utilizing cormorants, aquatic birds native to the area. This technique is called "Ukai." The show will be conducted by a cormorant master, who can control as many as 8 cormorants at the same time!

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Learn how the masters catch fish by using cormorants.
  
• Experience a one-of-a-kind cormorants fishing show by boat.
• See historical and traditional fishing techniques up-close.
  
  

【SCHEDULE】

1.Welcome aboard!
We will first give you a briefing on safety.

2.Ukai - Cormorant fishing show
Ukai in Miyoshi is characteristic for the 6.75m leashes handled by the Ukai master, which are the longest used in Japan. The Ukai master can utilize as many as 8 cormorants at once, so you can witness a dynamic and unique fishing experience over a large area. Enjoy a unique way of fishing conducted by the cormorant master in cooperation with the beautiful cormorants soaring in the sky!

3.The end of the experience
How did you like the show? We are looking forward to seeing you again in Miyoshi!

*You can bring your own food and drinks on board. There are some snacks for purchase in front of the station. Please purchase them before you join the tour.

【DETAILS】   

Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method that utilizes the habit of cormorants that skilfully catch fish in the water. Miyoshi is said to have originated in the 16th century and has a history of about 450 years. Originally in Miyoshi, cormorant fishing was carried out as a livelihood to catch fish and earn a living, but tourists started in the early 20th century and that's when summer night boat trips to view cormorant fishing became popular.

The special feature of Miyoshi cormorant fishing is that the rope used is 6.75m, which is the longest rope used for this purpose in Japan, and you can see a wide range of dynamic cormorant hunting. The cormorant master also serves as the front boatman and controls as many as eight cormorants at a time. At Miyoshi Ukai, you can see up close the traditional techniques that have been handed down over generations; don't miss the moment when the cormorant catches the fish.

■ Relationship between cormorant fishermen and cormorants

The cormorants used in fishing come from nature. As cormorants are vigilant and delicate birds, the fishermen take care of them every day,  and it is said that it takes two to three years to build a relationship of trust.

During the cormorant fishing, a long rope called "tanawa" is worn around the neck, but cormorants are so smart that they recognize this as a "work time" symbol. In addition, the debutants learn the work from watching the senior cormorants, and grows into a full-fledged cormorant fishing cormorant.

Cormorant fishing is a technique that can only be done by cormorant fishermen and cormorants who spend a lot of time together and communicate with each other.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：90min
• Meeting point：Ukai boarding point in Miyoshi City Tokaichi Shinsui Koen Park [MAP]
  In Shinsui Koen Park, Tokaichi-naka, Miyoshi-city, Hiroshima 728-0012
  Please be sure to check in at the reception of the boarding place by 7 pm on the day.
• Access：By train
  About 15 minutes walk from Miyoshi station on JR Geibi Line
  *From JR Hiroshima to Miyoshi station (1 hour & 40 mins)
• Minimum number of participants：1 person
• Language support：English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese
• Included ：Boarding fee, Guide fee
• Excluded：Food and drinks
• Clothes：Casual; Please bring a portable raincoat to prepare for sudden weather changes
• Toilet：Available (Western-style)
• Other things to note：
  ・Smoking is prohibited on the boat.
  ・There are cases where the operation will be canceled due to floods, muddy water, or strong wind even just before the departure time. Please provide us with your mobile phone number in case of an emergency.
  ・No pets are allowed, as they may hinder the operation of the Ukai boat or may cause inconvenience to other customers.

【CANCELLATION POLICY】 

After 5:00 p.m. the day before the tour date, on the day of the tour: 100% of the tour price