Chubu

Fishing Tradition Back to 1,300 Years Ago

Just 20 minutes away from Nagoya by JR train, Gifu is an interesting city filled with traditional culture in Japan. The cormorant (Ukai) fishing is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. It is a traditional fishing method of using wildlife seabirds called cormorants to catch small trout (sweet fish) in the river. The history of cormorant fishing in Gifu dates back to 1,300 years ago.

The catching season is between mid May to mid October every year. There are only 6 fishing families who bear the inherited title can do it. They still wear the traditional clothes, use the nail-free wooden boat made by hand, and go down the river every night during the catching season to go fishing. To observe this tradition, you will have to get on a boat on the Nagara River. It’s fascinating to watch!

Cormorant Fishing Ticketing Office 鸕鶿捕魚售票處
Locating only 15 minutes by bus and less by Taxi from Gifu Station, the boat office is right next to the boarding area by the Nagara River.
要看長良川鸕鶿捕魚很方便,票務處和落船的地方距離岐阜站只有15分鐘巴士路程,計程車更快。
Cormorant fishing 鸕鶿捕魚
There are different boat types and schedules that you may get on: 18:15, 18:45 or 19:15. It’s the matter of time you want to spend on the river and whether or not you want to have enough time for dinner before the fishing begins.
每天有3個乘船班次和不同載客量的船,18:15、18:45或19:15, 有些時間比較長,可以在船上吃晚餐,然後再欣賞捕魚。
Cormorant fishing 鸕鶿捕魚
The master of the boat will then paddle up the river to the viewing point.
船夫會就是這樣把觀光船撐到欣賞捕魚位置。
Cormorant fishing 鸕鶿捕魚
This is where all the boats are moored and wait for the fishing to begin at around 19:45. It’s relaxing and refreshing to enjoy a wonderful sunset by the river.
所有觀光船都停在這裡等候捕魚。捕魚時間約 19:45開始。在平靜的河邊欣賞日落美景很寫意。
Cormorant fishing 鸕鶿捕魚
The fishing begins! 6 fishing boats with fire torches sail out to the river. The masters wearing traditional clothes would leash 10 cormorants in one hand, let them go fishing and take the fish from them once they catch the fish.
捕魚開始!燃亮木火把的漁船慢慢經過,穿著傳統衣服的船主一手抓住10條綁住鸕鶿的繩,等牠們在河中「捕」魚後,便牠們抓回來,從口中把香魚拿出,然後把牠們放回水中繼續捕魚。
Cormorant Fishing Gifu Japan 岐阜鸕鶿捕魚
The fish is called Sweet Fish. This is a common fish that you may get in other places in Japan. While ordering a meal on board is not a must. If you like that, please order in advanced. It’s nice. I really like the cute little jello!
鸕鶿捕的是香魚。在日本其地方都可以吃到,通常都是鹽燒的。來到崎阜長良川,當然可以吃到最新鮮的香魚啦!餐盒要預訂,十分精美,最可愛是那個小魚造型的啫喱。
Cormorant Fishing Gifu 岐阜鸕鶿捕魚
The finale is the row of 6 boats sailing together. This is just not for the show, it’s for cornering the fish with all 6 boats!
鸕鶿捕魚最精彩是最後6條船會一起出來。當然6炬火把在河上飄過很精彩,但重點是6條船一起是為了合力把魚圍起來,希望可以捕捉更多魚。
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