ぎふ長良川鵜飼

Wonderful experience, arrive ahead of time to get better place on the boat. You can order some food there but better watch how trout are catched by the birds, some fishermen sign during and make some noises. Great atmosphere overall.

2024.08.11 It's amazing. It was wonderful. On this day, the water level of the Nagara River was low and the water depth was about 2m in the deep part. (Normally 4m) There will be no ``hunting down,'' where observation boats form a fleet and go down the river alongside one cormorant boat. Watch the cormorant boats float down the river one by one from the moored observation boat. It was a "show off". The front right side of the boat is on the upstream side of the Nagara River, so Perfect for viewing. There are 12 cormorant fishing locations across the country, but the one on the Nagara River is the only one. Cormorant fishing is said to have been practiced since ancient times (1,300 years of history) to catch sweetfish to be delivered to the Imperial Household Agency. I was able to see up close how 6 cormorant fishermen took turns fishing with their 6-tank boats. Cormorant fishermen are hereditary and are part-time national civil servants. Basically, three people, a cormorant fisher, a naka-nori, and a tomo-nori, board a boat (some boats have four people), and they go down the river while fishing. It is said that sweetfish caught by fishing never enters the mouths of ordinary people. Sweetfish seem to be characterized by the scratches on their necks that are created when cormorants swallow them. It is said that when a cormorant swallows a sweetfish, it always swallows it head first. This is called ``Udonomi''. Actually, I learned a lot from it.

The Gifu Nagara cormorant fishing experience was like a journey through time. The sight of the cormorant fisher skillfully controlling the cormorants and catching fish in the darkness on the river surface illuminated by the flames of torches is a sight to behold. This landscape, where nature and tradition are in harmony, is a symbol of Japan's good old culture. The river breeze that I felt while riding on a cormorant fishing boat and seeing the activity of cormorants up close was a valuable experience that is hard to get in modern times. This moment of tranquility and excitement was deeply engraved in my heart.

I arrived around 7 o'clock. I was told that I would be able to watch it from the shore, so I waited and was told that it would start at 7:45. 2.3 fireworks started going off. It was a little far to see from the shore. Even better if you can see it up close. There were souvenirs available at a nearby hotel shop. I bought a drink. The Cormorant Fishing Museum is open until 6:30.

As the sun sets, the color of the sky changes to ultramarine blue. While eating lunch on the boat Waiting for the beginning of cormorant fishing. When the fireworks go off, it signals the beginning of cormorant fishing. Hotels on both banks of the Nagara River also have lights down. While listening to Noh music Lantern lights swaying in the refreshing breeze The smell of orange burning bonfire wood Cormorant fisher's shout feel the five senses This is a fantastic cormorant fishing. Seen from the riverbank The scenery from the houseboat is completely different. We recommend taking a boat ride.