Osatsu — Last Ama Diving Village

The last working village of ama — Japan's traditional female free-divers who have harvested abalone, sea urchin, and pearls for 2,000 years. In Osatsu, over 60 active ama divers aged 25–80 dive without equipment to depths of 15 metres. The isobeya (warm-up huts) serve ama-cooked seafood meals directly after morning dives.

Location

Why Visit

• 1

  Over 60 active ama divers — the largest concentration remaining anywhere in Japan

• 2

  The isobeya (diver's hut) serves grilled abalone, sea urchin, and shellfish cooked by the divers themselves

• 3

  A 2,000-year-old tradition preserved only here — designated by Mie Prefecture as living cultural heritage

Local Tips

Osatsu is the most active ama (female free-diver) village remaining in Japan — the women dive for abalone, conch, and sea urchin without oxygen tanks. The Hachiman Kamado experience lets visitors eat a meal cooked by ama divers in a traditional seafood hut (isobeyaki style). Reserve the meal well in advance. The nearest ama dive observation is from the port dock at low tide.