Diving for pearls is a very old traditional occupation in Japan, known to have been practiced for more than 2000 years. Today there are only a few places in Japan where it is still practiced.

At the Mikimoto Pearl Island in Toba, Mie Prefecture, there are daily demonstrations made by Ama divers, women diving without scuba gear, with traditional equipment. The Ama divers are honored here because they played an important role in the development of the Japanese pearl industry.

Ama women diver, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Atsu-hime Chrysanthemum doll