Tourist attraction • Nagara, Gifu, 502-0071, Japan
The Nagara River elegantly flows through Gifu Prefecture. But at night, the riverside offers a different scene. This is where the 1300-year-old tradition of 'Nagaragawa Ukai' unfolds.
'Ukai' is a traditional Japanese fishing method that uses cormorants (sea birds) to catch fish. At Nagaragawa Ukai, the sea cormorants' beaks are finely trained so as not to injure the fish. The cormorant fisherman's deft skill in maneuvering multiple cormorants to drive the fish is truly remarkable.
As dusk falls, the torches of the cormorant fishermen on boats paint the river's surface. The dazzling performance of the ukai boat, and soon the ukai boats appear, and the cormorants' cries echo. The brilliance of the flames up close, the splashes of water, and the skilled techniques will surely intoxicate you.
The climax is the 'sogarami' performed by six ukai boats. The magnificent sight of driving sweetfish into the shallows all at once is the highlight of Nagaragawa Ukai. With the night view of Gifu Castle and the starry sky as the backdrop, the fantastic stage reaches its peak.
The operating period is from May 11th to October 15th. Whether you take a shared boat for a reasonable price or a chartered boat for a premium experience, it's a great opportunity to experience the traditional skills and beauty. It's a perfect chance to feel the traditional skills and beauty. Visiting Gifu for the ukai is a wonderful choice, not only as part of sightseeing but also for the ukai itself.