Ukai on the Uji River

A Quintessential Summer Scene in Uji

Ukai is a traditional fishing method performed with Japanese cormorants (birds called umiu in Japan), which is known mainly for catching ayu sweetfish. In Uji, it is a quintessential symbol of the summer season.

Ukai on the Uji River appears in a diary literature of the Heian Period (794-late 12th century). The tradition we see today was revived in 1926. To this day, usho (cormorant fishing masters) continue to perform ukai wearing traditional kazaore-eboshi hats and koshimino straw skirts. The kazaore-eboshi protect their hair and eyebrows from stray kagaribi sparks. The koshimino act as natural raincoats, primarily shielding them from river water.

Japanese cormorants have stretchy throats, allowing them to store fish they catch. Usho adjust the tightness of the neck cords so that larger fish are held in the birds’ throats, while smaller ones pass through to their stomachs. This is considered one of usho’s specialized skills.

Becoming a ukai fishing cormorant requires a deep bond with the usho. It takes a great deal of time and usho’s love for the bird. They are partners, and they are family. Raised with great care and through countless practice sessions with the usho, these birds make their debut built on deep, mutual trust.

In Uji, a chick was successfully hatched through artificial incubation in 2014. This was the first Japanese cormorant born this way in the country. Since then, so many Japanese cormorants have been raised here. They are all affectionately known by the nickname, Utty.

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Contact Information

Uji City Tourism Association

📍 Address: 5-9 Satojiri, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto 611-0021
✉️ Email: info@kyoto-uji-kankou.or.jp