Iwakuni - Cormorant Fishing

Another popular attraction in the Kintaikyo area is ukai, or cormorant fishing. A cormorant, for the uninitiated, is a large diving bird. As early as the 8th century, river fishermen in Japan began training the birds to help catch small freshwater fish. Though the practice has largely died out, it is still preserved in a few places for its cultural value. Most of the positions are hereditary, and the art is protected by the Imperial Household Agency.

In Iwakuni, cormorant fishing has been a tradition for almost four centuries. The birds are trained for a year and a half before being used on the river. Fishermen dressed in traditional costume take their boats out onto the river, with torches at the prow to attract fish. The fisherman may also drum on the sides of the boat to draw the fish. The cormorants, tied to the boat with a light rope, are released into the water, and when they make a catch they’re towed back in and the fisherman removes the fish from their throats.

It may all sound a bit silly, but ukai is actually fascinating to watch. The boats on the river, their torches suspended over the water, and the fisherman in traditional clothing designed to repel both fire and water all combine to create a strangely compelling scene. And if you’re worried about the birds, don’t be. They’re well taken care of for their troubles, and have life spans three or four times as long as their wild brethren.

In Iwakuni, you can watch ukai for free from the riverbank, or pay a fee and join one of the boats on the river. But you’ll have to be there in summer, because the cormorants only fish from June 1st to August 31st.

More Info.(Iwakuni):
Iwakuni City
Kintaikyo Bridge
Hanami (Cherry Blossom Veiwing)
Iwakuni Sushi
Kintaikyo Festival
Cormorant Fishing

Matt Mangham

Shinkansen
Hiroshima station===(JR Sanyo Shinkansen "Kodama", 15min.)===Shin Iwakuni Station===(Bus, 10min.)===Kintaikyo

Shin Yamaguchi station===(JR Sanyo Shinkansen "Kodama", 30min.)===Shin Iwakuni Station===(Bus, 10min.)===Kintaikyo

Train
Hirroshima station===(JR Sanyo Honsen line, 50min.)===Iwakuni station====(by bus, 20min.)====Kintaikyo

Shin Yamaguchi station===(JR Sanyo Honsen line, 120min.)===Iwakuni station====(by bus, 20min.)====Kintaikyo

Car
Sanyo Express Way, Iwakuni IC====(Route 2, 15 min.)====Kintaikyo