Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River / ぎふ長良川の鵜飼 (Gifu)
About Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River
Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method practiced mainly in China and Japan, using the birds called "U" [cormorants] to catch "ayu" [sweet fish] and other fishes. Four species of cormorants in Japan are: the sea cormorant, the river cormorant, the Hime cormorant and the Chishima Cormorant, and the cormorants of the Gifu Nagara River
stand out for their size and strength. A string is tied around the neck of the cormorants to prevent them from swallowing the big fishes, but loose enough for the small fishes to be swallowed. And the ushos [cormorant fishing masters] are using this techniques to catch ayu [sweet fish].
©岐阜市
The avid fans of Nagara River cormorant fishing were, of historical figures of warlord Oda Nobunaga, the great master of haiku Matsuo Basho, Charlie Chaplin and more. in 1878, Iwakura Tomomi and others took the opportunity to present "ayu" [sweet fish] to the emperor and in 1890, The Imperial Household Ministry permitted cormorants the status of staff and established three royal courtyards on the Nagara River, prohibited general fishing year-round.
©岐阜市
Feel free to view the cormorant fishing from the riverbank, but we recommend the experience of boarding a cormorant boat for an up-close view of the cormorants as they catch fish, and to observe the skills of the Usho [Cormorant Fishing Master] better. There are about 45 cormorant boats in the fleet with capacities varying from 15 to 50 passengers, even for charter.
©岐阜市
Getting there and around
by Train and Bus
From Nagoya Station: Take the Meitetsu or JR Line to Gifu Station (approximately 20-30 minutes)
From JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station: Take the Gifubus to Nagarabashi Station (approximately 20 minutes)
Recommendations
Nagaragawa Ukai Museum / 長良川うかいミュージアム
The Nagaragawa Ukai Museum introduces the history of Nagara River Cormorant Fishing, to see and learn about the skills of Usho [Cormorant Fishing Masters] and cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, even during the off season. The guidance theater featuring a life-size cormorant boat realistically recreated with sound and lighting is an exceptional experience.
©岐阜市
Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River / 長良川の鵜飼
The Nagara River cormorant fishing is said to have a history of over 1,300 years. Among the documents housed in the Shosoin Repository, a family register from the Mino Province dated 702 was reported with a person named "Uyobe no Mezurame," who was a cormorant fisherman. Since then, cormorants have often appeared in the records of shoguns and kanpaku [chief advisors to the emperor].
©岐阜市
Nagaragawa Onsen / 長良川温泉
The hotels and ryokans are located along the Nagara River in Yamashisuimei. The Gifu Grand Hotel and other Nagara River onsen [hot spring] hotels offer "Ukai [cormorant fishing] package" plans including lodging, a cormorant boat ride and dinner. Each hotel offers plans including dinner either at the restaurant of the hotel or on the cormorant boat docked on the riverbank before the cormorant fishing begins, while enjoying the scenery and mood of the surroundings.
Travel Recommendations
Ayu [sweet fish] caught during Nagara River cormorant fishing is called "Hagata Ayu" [tooth-shaped sweet fish]. This precious sweet fish with the tooth marks of cormorants is a rare delicacy even among the locals. Enjoy it at some restaurants and hotels throughout the city.
Accommodations
Gifu Grand Hotel / 岐阜グランドホテル（Gifu）
648 Nagara, Gifu, Gifu
Gifu Grand Hotel is a resort hotel located at the foot of Mt. Kinka (Kinkazan) featuring Gifu Castle on the summit, and the views of the abundant nature of the clear Nagara River in front of the hotel. This hotel is great to enjoy the famous Nagara R....
Nagoya Travel Guide