Kiso River Ukai Fishing

Inuyama City

Taming seabirds to hunt for fish!?

The cormorant is a seabird with a long thin neck, known for its ability to catch and swallow fish in a single gulp. This is why cormorants (u in Japanese) have been tamed and used for fishing in the rivers of Japan and China since ancient times. Ukai fishing is not only found in Aichi, but also in regions such as Gifu, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. Here on the Kiso River, where Aichi Prefecture borders Gifu Prefecture, the significant cultural tradition of ukai fishing has been maintained for 1300 years.

The usho commands the cormorants, shouting Ho! Ho!

Only the professionals known as usho can fish using cormorants. Some are veterans who have followed this path for decades, while some are young women attracted to the traditional culture. Each usho is joined by handheld leashes to 10 or so cormorants, which dive into the river skillfully and snatch up fish in their gullets. As they come up out of the water, the usho commands the birds to disgorge the fish, whereupon the fishing process is repeated. On the Kiso River, there are also viewing boats from which visitors can watch ukai fishing and see the ushos working up close.

Relaxing daytime sessions and dramatic evening sessions.

From June to mid-October, boats offer viewing of ukai fishing sessions twice daily (at day and night). The sightseeing boats travel right alongside the working boats of the usho. In the daytime sessions, you can view the idyllic Kiso River, watch the skillful ukai fishing technique, and also enjoy lunch on board. The evening brings a dramatic atmosphere, with the national treasure of Inuyama Castle illuminated behind the river. Lit up by torches, ukai fishing at night takes on all the spectacle of a show. Since both sessions have become very popular, you should probably book in advance.

For reference

Address

2 Inuyama Kitahakusanbira, Inuyama-shi, Aichi-ken  
Telephone

0568-61-2727 (Kisogawa Tourism) 
Opening hours

11:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., 7:00 P.M. to 9:10 P.M. (*Booking required) 
Active period

June 1 to October 15 every year
 Regular days of closure

Open seven days a week during the active period.
Prices

Day session (includes meal): Adults 4500 yen
Night session: Adults 2600 yen 
Website

http://kisogawa-ukai.jp/

Access

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 1-hour flight from Haneda Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 100-minute flight from Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 75-minute flight from Sendai Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 65-minute flight from Matsuyama Airport.

  Inuyama-Yuen Station is 1 hour via the Meitetsu rail line from Central Japan International Airport Station. Kiso River Ukai is a 5-minute walk from Inuyama-Yuen Station.