Ama Adventure Tour!

Go under the surface with a real Ama diver.
As Ama divers scour the shallow coastal waters of Ise-Shima for sea urchin, abalone, sazae (turban shells), and other marine delicacies, they’re carrying on a 3,000-year tradition. These women dive without oxygen tanks or other scuba equipment, and respect natural cycles by harvesting only fully grown shellfish and seaweed.
On this tour you’ll get to dive together with a working Ama, who will accompany your group throughout and give an exclusive lesson in traditional fishing methods. Splashing around in the shallows around an uninhabited island, you’ll learn firsthand how to move among the waves and how to tell shellfish from rocks under water. Imagine the sense of achievement when you catch your first sea urchin!
Though Ama culture still flourishes in Ise-Shima, catches have been decreasing for some time. By participating in this tour, you’re helping the Ama maintain their traditional lifestyle while contributing to the preservation of the local environment. Ama earn additional income by guiding visitors, while thinning out sea urchins, which are big seaweed-eaters, helps preserve the ecological balance of the sea.

• Take a small fisherman’s boat to an uninhabited island.
• Warm up with a snorkel at first.
• Dive with Ama. Catch sea urchins.
• Seaweed is decreasing. Too many sea urchins can lead to a decrease in seaweed.We recommend that you thin out the urchins in moderation.
• You can take a shower after the tour.