What is Ukai, the Traditional Japanese Fishing Method? An Explanation of Regions Where Tourists Can Watch

Ukai is a traditional Japanese river fishing method where cormorant masters control cormorants with tethers while catching fish on nighttime rivers illuminated by blazing torches. Possibly practiced since the Kofun period and continuing on the Nagara River since around the 7th century, this historic fishing method has now become a seasonal attraction that tourists can enjoy. However, some people may have questions about the detailed history of ukai, where it’s held, and specific pricing.

This article provides detailed information about the basics of ukai and the types of cormorants used, its history and terminology, as well as where you can watch it, performance periods, and fees. Table of Contents

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Ukai is a traditional river fishing method where cormorant masters control cormorants with tethers to catch fish on nighttime rivers. They proceed on cormorant boats lit with blazing torches, and the cormorants catch sweetfish and other fish in their beaks as the fish flee in surprise from the light. The cormorant master retrieves the fish caught by the cormorants at the appropriate timing and sends them out to hunt again.

Combined with the boatman’s navigation, the sound of striking the water surface, and the crackling of the fire, the fishing itself is enjoyed as a spectacle. When viewed up close from a viewing boat, the flickering flames and splashing water create a powerful scene.

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The cormorants used in ukai in Japan are primarily Japanese cormorants. They have large bodies and can catch many fish, including large ones. During the breeding season they stay from Hokkaido to northern Honshu, and during the non-breeding season they inhabit rocky coastlines in southern Honshu. Since their feather waterproofing is relatively low, they can be seen drying their wings. Japanese cormorants for ukai are captured around Cape Unoamisaki in Ibaraki Prefecture, and since they are protected birds, capture sites are effectively limited to this location.

Young birds around two years old are called “shintori,” and larger individuals, mostly males, are preferentially selected. Taking advantage of their habit of acting in pairs, two birds are trained in the same cormorant basket, and it takes about three years until they’re ready for actual fishing. Their blue eyes have membranes that allow them to see easily underwater, and they swim with their hook-shaped beaks and webbed feet. They can store about 15-16 sweetfish in their beaks and sometimes catch about 60 fish per hour. While their wild lifespan is typically 7-8 years, in ukai they live 15-20 years due to health management.

The origin of ukai is uncertain, with theories suggesting it came from China along with rice cultivation, and others suggesting it developed separately in Japan and China. Haniwa figurines believed to represent ukai have been excavated from burial mounds, indicating it was possibly practiced at least during the Kofun period. In literature, descriptions can be found in the “Book of Sui” from the early 7th century, and in the “Kojiki” and “Nihon Shoki” from the 8th century.

Around the Nagara River, it’s said to have continued since around the 7th century, with names related to ukai recorded in household registers of Mino Province from 702 (Taiho 2). During the Muromachi period, records of viewings by shoguns and court nobles remain. In 1568, Oda Nobunaga invited envoys of Takeda Shingen for a viewing, preparing the boats and having selected sweetfish delivered as part of the entertainment. Following this tradition, the Nagara River continues to maintain its long tradition today in both fishing and viewing aspects.

Ukai has many unique terms, including names for people who control cormorants, boats, fires, and attire for safely conducting fishing on nighttime rivers, and tools for handling cormorants. Understanding just the key points before viewing will help you know what’s happening on the boat and make it easier to follow the highlights. Here’s a list of representative terms:

*Terminology names and forms may vary by region and school.

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Ukai is now a traditional fishing method that can only be seen in limited regions. Here we introduce representative venues where tourists can easily watch.

The main highlight of Nagara River ukai is that it’s the only place in the nation where Imperial Household Agency cormorant masters are in charge.

Six from Nagara in Gifu City and three from Koze in Seki City engage in fishing, with each cormorant master controlling up to 12 birds.

The cormorants are raised year-round by each cormorant master’s household, and fishing proceeds while navigating the fast rapids of the Nagara River’s middle reaches. The adjustment of neck cords, handling of tethers, and the boatman’s navigation combine, allowing you to experience technique and power up close in the light of blazing torches. During viewing, the calls and sounds of oars enhance the sense of presence, and you can compare techniques between households.

Ozu ukai is counted among Japan’s Three Great Ukai, with the highlight being “awaseukai” where the cormorant master’s boat and viewing houseboats run alongside each other down the river. Near the light of blazing torches, you can see up close the moment when cormorants splash water while catching fish.

The tether handling to show equally to the left and right houseboats, and the rowing navigation by boatmen who know the Hiji River intimately, are also powerful. The calls echoing across the water and sounds of oars enhance the travel atmosphere, and can be enjoyed together with the castle town’s nightscape. The scenery of Ozu Castle and Garyu Sanso floating in the moonlight is also attractive.

Mikuma River ukai is enjoyed as a summer seasonal attraction of Suikyo Hita. Blazing torches are raised on the bow of slender cormorant boats, and the cormorant master controls 6-8 birds with tethers to drive sweetfish and other fish. You can watch up close from houseboats, with flames reflecting on the water, splashing water, calls, and sounds of oars enhancing the sense of presence. The beginning was about 400 years ago, reportedly originating when cormorant masters were invited from Gifu, spreading as river recreation during the Tenryo period.

The appeal of Uji River ukai is seeing up close the expert techniques as female cormorant masters, rare nationwide, take center stage and guide cormorants with brilliant tether handling. In Uji, three of the four cormorant masters are said to be women. Said to continue from the Heian period, the historic capital backdrop is also one of the highlights.

The venue is near Uji Park, about a 15-minute walk from JR Uji Station, with the boarding area and cormorant shed on Tō-no-shima island across Kisen Bridge. The river surface illuminated by torchlight overlaps with movements in traditional attire, to be enjoyed together with Uji’s nightscape.

The highlight of Arashiyama ukai is the atmosphere created by the overlap of blazing torches swaying on the Oi River’s surface and the Arashiyama scenery. Records remain from the Heian period, and it’s also said that imperial court ukai was conducted. After ending during the Edo period, it was revived in 1950 and is now enjoyed as a summer specialty of Arashiyama.

When riding a tourist houseboat, you can watch up close the cormorant master’s tether handling near the cormorant boat lit with blazing torches. Combined with the nightscape around Togetsu Bridge and mountain ranges, it can be enjoyed in an atmosphere befitting the ancient capital.

Ukai is a traditional river fishing method where cormorant masters control cormorants with tethers while catching fish on nighttime rivers illuminated by blazing torches. The cormorants used are primarily Japanese cormorants, which have large bodies and good underwater vision, sometimes catching about 60 fish per hour. It was possibly practiced from the Kofun period, and on the Nagara River is said to continue from around the 7th century.

Currently, representative places where viewing is available include the Nagara River (Gifu Prefecture) conducted by Imperial Household Agency cormorant masters, Ozu (Ehime Prefecture) where awaseukai is the highlight, Mikuma River (Oita Prefecture), Uji River (Kyoto Prefecture) centered on female cormorant masters, and Arashiyama (Kyoto Prefecture) overlapping with Arashiyama scenery.

Performance periods are centered from May to October, and from viewing boats you can enjoy up close the light of blazing torches, the cormorant masters’ tether handling, and the calls and sounds of oars.

*This article was created based on information as of January 2026