Cormorant Fishing in Nagara River

1300-year old tradition of using birds to catch fish

By Hessel Anne Domingo Jun 29, 2012 - 1 min read

I was lucky enough to witness twice the Japanese traditional method of fishing in Gifu. This fishing method known as cormorant fishing or ukai has been around for 1300 years. The whole experience is very interesting as it is one-of-its kind. On top of

It was time to board the boat.

A cormorant master and his cormorant

A scrumptious dinner to enjoy

Being entertained while eating

Night view of Gifu

A fishing master putting pine wood in the bonfire

He looks like as if he is on fire.

Gathering the cormorants

These were the 'ayu' that the cormorants were able to catch

The sea cormorants were done for the night

The bonfire that attracts the fish

Foreign students from Gifu University and Nagoya University were invited by Gifu Tourism and Convention Division to witness the 1300-year- old tradition of cormorant fishing or ukai in Nagara River. It was an amazing experience as most of the spectators in the group were first timers. We were in awe with how the cormorants catch the ‘ayu’ without swallowing it. The cormorant masters themselves also look interesting as they don a special kind of clothing when they go fishing. I was lucky to take part in this event as some of my Japanese friends have not even seen it.

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Hessel Anne Domingo

Hessel Anne Domingo @hessel.anne.domingo

Born in the Philippines, I came to Japan October 2011 to live and study ---which has been a long-time dream. （⌒▽⌒）

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