Culture & Traditions

MIYOSHI UKAI – The Cormorant Fishing of Miyoshi City , Hiroshima –

2025.05.29

【The Cormorant Fishing Sightseeing Cruising Tour with box dinner on board】

The cormorant fishing of Miyoshi, known in Japanese as “Ukai”, is a traditional Japanese method of catching fish carried out through the cooperation of cormorant birds, their master or “Usho”, and the Kajiko, or helmsman.

Take a close look at cormorant fishing and enjoy fragrant and tasty salt-grilled Ayu sweetfish and other Japanese local delicacies available only during this season on a sightseeing boat as you cruise alongside the cormorant fishing boat.

Ukai has more than 450 years of history in Miyoshi, Hiroshima, and is now designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

Miyoshi Ukai is a summer tradition only available while the Ayu fishing season is open from June 1st to September 10th in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima every year. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the incredible art of Japanese Ayu fishing by staying in Miyoshi this summer!

Operating Season:　Friday to Monday, from June 1st through September 10th, every year.

The Cormorant Fishing Sightseeing Cruising Tour with box dinner on board

Schedule	18:30 Check in the reception for boarding sightseeing boat for the cormorant fishing at its boarding area. Address: Shinsui Koen Park, Tokaichi-naka, Miyoshi city, Hiroshima （ Google Maps ） 19:00 Enjoy cruising in the cool evening air with Ayu sweetfish dinner box on board, followed by a sightseeing cruise of cormorant fishing in action. 20:30 Return to the pier and see the day’s catch.
Tour Price	￥9,500 per person for adult/child
Tour Condition including	Boarding ticket of sightseeing boat for Ukai or the cormorant fishing. Salt-grilled sweetfish with local bento box paired with Japanese green tea.
Tour Package does NOT include	Travel expense to/from the boarding site for the cormorant fishing in Miyoshi. Hotel Accommodation
Minimum no. of participants	1 PAX
Note	Hotel booking recommended in Miyoshi city due to few public transportation available to Hiroshima or other major cities after the cormorant fishing ended around 21:00 hrs.