Discover the history and culture of ama divers, the famous free-diving fisherwomen.
Hike Mount Aonomine to visit a sacred maritime temple, then head to Osatsu to enjoy a charcoal-grilled seafood lunch with local Ama divers. Conclude your day exploring Toba’s famous pearl heritage at Mikimoto Pearl Island.
Options
The Highlight
Sacred Mountain Hike: Trek to Shofukuji Temple, a spiritual site where divers pray for safety at sea.
Seafood Lunch with Ama: Enjoy fresh seafood grilled by active Ama divers and chat with them in Osatsu.
Pearl Culture & History: Visit Mikimoto Pearl Island for a live diving show (can swap for Sea-Folk Museum).
The Experience
Begin the guided tour with a 7km hike (up and down) to Shofukuji Temple, which sits atop Mount Aonomine (300m). For centuries, the local fishermen and Ama divers have visited this temple to pray to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, for good catches and safety at sea.
After the hike, head to the nearby coastal community of Osatsu (home to Japan's largest population of active Ama divers) and have a freshly grilled seafood lunch prepared by actual Ama divers. Your guide will be with you, giving you the opportunity to interact and talk with the Ama!
The final stop on the tour will take you to Mikimoto Pearl Island. Learn how natural pearls form and how the process was eventually modified to produce the world's first cultured pearl in Toba. You can also see a short Ama diving demonstration of how the women once helped Kokichi Mikimoto harvest cultured pearls around the turn of the 19th century, earning them the title of "Pearl Divers."
※Upon request, the final stop can be changed to the Toba Sea-Folk Museum instead.
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
Itinerary
- 09:00Meet at Kintetsu Toba Station (Tourist information center in front of Kintetsu ticket gate)
- Hike to Shofukuji temple
- Lunch at Osatsu Ama Hut 'Ozegosan'
- Mikimoto Pearl Island
- 16:00Ends at Kintetsu Toba Station
Price Details
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
- Minimum Participants: 2 people
- The tour will operate in the rain.
- Note: If there is bad weather, the lunch location "Ozegosan" may change to "Mae-no-hama."
Important Booking Information
・Regarding the Lunch Menu: If you select the “Children” price option, the lunch menu will be different. The adult menu includes grilled fish, 3–4 kinds of shellfish, squid, miso soup with rice cake, and sea urchin rice. The child menu includes grilled fish, miso soup with rice cake, and sea urchin rice only. If you would like the full adult lunch menu, please register the participant as “Adult” when choosing the price category.
・Regarding the Hiking Activity: At the beginning of the tour, you may skip the hiking activity and go to the mountaintop by car if it better suits your needs.
・What do I need to bring?: Wear weather appropriate clothing and shoes you can hike in. Bring a change of clothes if you wish. Bring drinks for the hike.
・Since transportation is basically by car, depending on your requests and schedule, we can stop by anywhere within Toba City (excluding islands).
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation made at least 3 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 0 ~ 2 day(s) of departure, Non-refundable (0% refund)