 Mikimoto Pearl Island
Mikimoto Pearl Island is a small island in the city of Toba in Mie Prefecture, Japan. It was here in 1893 that Mikimoto Kokichi first created cultured pearls. At that time, the island was called Ojima.
Mikimoto Pearl Island (2 April, 2007)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
With the success of pearl cultivation, the Mikimoto Pearl Company became one of the treasured cultural institutions of Japan. The company soon took over the entire island for its pearl cultivation. Since 1951, the island is used mainly as a leisure island to showcase the activities of the Mikimoto Pearl Company. It is connected to the mainland via a pedestrian bridge.
There is a Mikimoto Pearl Museum on the island that provides an explanation about cultured pearls and the history of the Mikimoto company. In the sea, there are demonstrations by ama divers of how pearl oysters are harvested. And as would be expected, there is a gift shop where visitors can purchase Mikimoto pearls.
Location of Mikimoto Pearl Island
Click here to view the Google Map to Mikimoto Pearl Island.
Ama diver providing demonstration at Mikimoto Pearl Island (2 April, 2007)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
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