Foreign students from Gifu University and Nagoya University were invited by Gifu Tourism and Convention Division to witness the 1300-year- old tradition of cormorant fishing or ukai in Nagara River. It was an amazing experience as most of the spectators in the group were first timers. We were in awe with how the cormorants catch the ‘ayu’ without swallowing it. The cormorant masters themselves also look interesting as they don a special kind of clothing when they go fishing. I was lucky to take part in this event as some of my Japanese friends have not even seen it.
The Beauty of Cormorant Night Fishing
1300-year old tradition of using birds to catch fish
