30/09/2026
Oze Ukai in Seki, Gifu, is a tradition of cormorant fishing on the Nagara River with more than 1,000 years of history.
After sunset, fishermen known as usho guide trained cormorants by the light of burning torches, moving quietly along the river in wooden boats. From the viewing boat, you can watch the fishing remarkably close — hearing the calls of the fishermen, the movement of the water, and the birds at work.
More than a performance, Oze Ukai is a living tradition that connects the river, local communities, and generations of knowledge passed down through centuries.