Museums
Mikimoto Pearls
Chris GlennJust off the coast of Toba City in Mie Prefecture is Mikimoto Pearl Island, where the world’s first cultured pearls were creat..
Mikimoto Pearl Island
Off the coast of Toba is Mikimoto Pearl Island. This Mie Prefecture attraction is the birthplace of cultured pearls and is operated by the Mikimoto Pearl Museum. When visiting the island, guests can see fascinating and beautiful handcrafted pearls and exhibits, and even ama divers watch while collecting pearls.
In 1893, Mikimoto Jokichi succeeded in growing the world's first cultured pearls on an island in the Ise Bay. In 1951, Mikimoto bought the island and renamed it Mikimoto Pearl Island in order to establish a pearl museum there.
The Pearl Museum displays many great works of pearl art, including a globe made from 12,541 pearls, 377 rubies and 373 diamonds. It has a diameter of 33 cm. There are also exhibits from ama divers. These freedivers collect pearls using a technique that is over 1000 years old. Mikimoto Pearl Island is one of the few places where visitors can watch these remarkable women at work.
Overview
Address
1-7-1 Toba city, Mie prefecture, 517-8511, Japan (Map) (Directions)Hours
8:30 - 17:00 Closed nowOpening Hours
Monday
8:30 - 17:00
Tuesday
8:30 - 17:00
Wednesday
8:30 - 17:00
Thursday
8:30 - 17:00
Friday
8:30 - 17:00
Saturday
8:30 - 17:00
Sunday
8:30 - 17:00
Holidays
8:30 - 17:00
Price
¥1500
Website
General Amenities
- Information Counter
- Free guides/pamphlets
- Coin lockers
Access
A 5-minute walk from Toba Station.
Related Articles
6 articles
Activities
Visiting Mikimoto Pearl Island
Cathy CawoodOn Mikimoto Pearl Island in Toba you can learn all about cultured pearls and Kokichi Mikimoto, the 'Pearl King'. You can..
13
Pearl Divers at Mikimoto Island
Cathy CawoodWhite costumed female pearl divers put on a show for the tourists eight times a day at Mikimoto Pearl Island.
Mikimoto's Ama Divers
Cathy CawoodWatch Mikimotos Ama divers gather shellfish and seaweed from the ocean around Mikimoto Pearl Island.
15
Antique Jewelry Exhibition
Cathy CawoodFascinating antique jewelry exhibition at Mikimoto Pearl Island in Toba shows how people have adorned themselves with pearls throughout..
16
Cultured Pearl Museum
Cathy CawoodAt the Cultured Pearl Museum on Mikimoto Pearl Island in Toba you will learn all about the pearl culturing process.
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