About Japan from... manhole covers, Inuyama Cormorant fishing

Cormorant fishing has been practiced in several Japanese communities since antic ages. Called ukai, this impressive skill has been passed down over the centuries, and it is still practiced, especially as a tourist attraction.

I photographed this manhole cover in Inuyama, where during summer, for about 3000 yen, you can participate to this spectacular tradition for several hours, in a boat close to the cormorant trainer.