A highlight of privately touring the Ise-Shima Peninsula—a scenic coastal region in central Japan—is meeting the ama (“sea women”), the legendary female free divers who have harvested pearls, seaweed and shellfish in the area for centuries.

An iconic part of Japan’s coastal and maritime traditions, the ama continue to dive without modern equipment. They are renowned for their ability to hold their breath for up to two minutes, their skilled harvesting techniques using simple tools, and their spiritual connection to the sea. The craft is traditionally passed down from mother to daughter, with most beginning formal training around age 12 and continuing to dive well into their 70s.

Although the ama are believed to have been part of Japan’s fishing culture for thousands of years, their modern association with pearl cultivation began in the early 20th century. In 1893, entrepreneur Kokichi Mikimoto developed a method for culturing pearls at his oyster farm in Ago Bay. As his techniques advanced and his business flourished, demand for ama divers increased.

Traditionally, while dressed in white—a symbol of purity and believed to deter sharks—the ama retrieved oysters, returned them to the sea floor after pearl seeding and relocated them to safer areas when needed. Although modern technology has replaced them in commercial pearl farming, and their work today focuses more on sustainable fishing, they remain inextricably linked to the industry’s history and development.

Today, the ama wear wetsuits and goggles—their only concessions to modern diving. They continue, however, to don the traditional white headscarf adorned with protective talismans.

Artisans of Leisure arranges for travelers to watch an ama diving demonstration, visit the Pearl Museum on Mikimoto Pearl Island, and meet ama to learn about their lifestyle and heritage over lunch.

On our most recent visit to the region, we enjoyed a delicious charcoal-grilled seafood lunch prepared by ama in an amagoya (“ama hut”), a rustic hut traditionally used as a post-dive resting place and communal gathering spot.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a customized private Japan tour featuring the cultural, culinary and scenic highlights of the Ise-Shima region and other favorite destinations in Japan.