September 14th Kiso River Cormorant Fishing Viewing Evening

Kiso River cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method that has been passed down in this area for 1,300 years. It is now an intangible folk cultural asset of Inuyama City and is practiced annually from June 1st to October 15th.

A cormorant fisherman boards a cormorant boat with a bonfire lit at the bow and controls 10 cormorants, using hand ropes to control them as they catch ayu that have gathered around the bonfire. The fisherman then makes the cormorants spit the caught ayu into a spitting basket. This series of techniques is impressive and can truly be called the art of fishing.

Some say this fishing method is animal cruelty, but the cormorants' synchronized movements with the fisherman make it clear that they understand that their job is to receive food after the fishing is over.

On this day, a female cormorant fisherman gave a briefing before boarding the boat, and the cormorant fishing began while we were looking at the lit-up Inuyama Castle. At the end of the cormorant fishing, the fisherman again explained the movements. The detailed explanation was very easy to understand, and we were able to enjoy the cormorant fishing to the fullest.