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Destinations... Japan Travel Guide The Yamasa Institute |
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Destinations... Japan Travel Guide The Yamasa Institute |
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Edited by: Declan Murphy Recommended: Suggested Itineraries Favorite Mie moments... Best ways to get there Mie Photogallery Newsgroups: fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ Bulletin Boards: Fun/Clubs/Nightlife  Accommodation/Discounts
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The island is separated into 4 areas: the pearl museum, the ama stand, the Kokichi Memorial Hall and Pearl Plaza.
Pearl Museum
Naturally, the pearl museum is the most popular attraction at Mikimoto Pearl Island. There are four exhibition halls, which detail the birth of pearls, their production and distribution, as well as examples of both natural and cultured pearls which have been worn as jewelry from ancient times. If you're interested in how pearls are made, the entire process of how a pearl is cultivated (from the oyster to the final product) is explained in simplified terms. You can also learn about the farming and harvesting techniques used, the economics dealing with pearls, and there is an area where one can watch the pearls being sorted, drilled and threaded onto strings of various lengths.
The jewellry on exhibition dates as far back as the times of the Roman Empire, and includes items from the Renaissance period in Europe as well as Mogul Jewelry (India - 16th century onwards). There are also a number of works of art made by Mikimoto. Some of these works include a pearl crown, the 'Mikimoto Pagoda' (a pearl replica of the Horyu-ji Temple), and the 'Bell of Freedom' (shown below).
In 1899, 6 years after obtaining his first cultured pearls, Mikimoto opened a pearl shop in Ginza. In order to learn more about the jewelry industry overseas, Mikimoto sent his brother to Europe to do some research. When his brother returned with information about the styles in Europe at the time (Art Nouveau and Edwardian styles), Mikimoto began to fashion traditional Japanese jewelry and other items with a European feel. These items can also be seen in the Pearl Museum.
Ama Stand
At Ama Stand, one can watch the female pearl divers dive for abalone. Dressed all in white to scare off sharks (which are present in deeper waters), these women will dive under about 10 meters to retrieve the abalone, resurface and toss their catch into wooden tubs. The ama, as they are called, have a history in this region dating back about 2000 years. Becoming an ama begins from childhood from the training offered by one's elders, and many ama continue diving well into their 60s and 70s. Why are there only female ama? It is said that the reason may have stemmed from the belief that women can hold their breath under water longer than men.
Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall
For those interested in the story of Mikimoto himself, this is the building to visit. The details of his life and experiences are explained in greater detail, and his accomplishments are presented through photographs and exhibits.
Mikimoto, born January 25, 1858, as the first son of a family who ran a noodle restaurant called 'Awako', had been interested in pearls after watching the divers of Ise bring such treasures back to the shore from their dives. At the age of 19, he visited Tokyo for the first time. He saw Chinese merchants trading marine products in Yokohama, and remembering the pearls being traded in Shima Province (now known as Mie Prefecture) at a high price, his interest grew. In 1888, he obtained a loan and started a pearl farm together with his wife in Shima Province. They had many disappointments in the form of failures to cultvate pearls and the destruction of their work by red tides, but they managed to cultivate the first pearl in July of 1893.
Pearl Plaza
This is the souvenir building for Mikimoto Pearl Island. On the first floor, Mikimoto's pearl jewellery as well as other
specialty items from the Ise-shima region can be purchased. The restaurant on the second floor, called 'Awako', offers a
great view of Toba Bay.
From Tokyo: you can get to Toba by train via Nagoya.
From Okazaki: Take a train to Nagoya on the JR line (600 yen, about 30 minutes), then switch to the Kintetsu
line and take a train to Toba (1670 yen, about an hour and a half).
Tours - Japan Discovery visits Mikimoto Pearl Island.
Click here for more information regarding when Discovery visits this destination.
Photographs and contributions
Do you have good photographs or a story to share about this destination? Please share it with us.
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Disclaimer and Request:
Opening hours, prices, booking procedures, schedules etc are subject to changes beyond our control. This site is just a guide, and we advise that you always check and confirm in advance. Suggestions, additions and correction of errors are always welcome. Please contact us.
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