leisure experience

[Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture] “Kosode Ama Center” where you can meet the northernmost Ama divers! Enjoy freshly grilled sea urchin at Amachan!

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  • Last updated: 2023.09.15

The Kosode Ama Center is located in Kuji City (northeastern Iwate Prefecture), which borders Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the facility is located at sea level. It was completely destroyed without a trace in the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, it has now been rebuilt beautifully. The foundation for this was the popular TV drama "Amachan."

Although it has been many years since the show aired, fans still visit the area. The female divers at Kosode Beach are, in fact, the origin of Ama-chan

Non, who starred in Amachan, also visited the place

Meet the northernmost female divers in Japan

The female divers of Kosode are active in the northernmost seas of Japan, at 40 degrees north latitude. For this reason, they are known as the "female divers of the northernmost seas." They dive into the extremely cold seas even in summer to collect sea urchins and abalone

Kosode Coast - Northernmost Ama Manhole
Kosode Coast - Northernmost Ama Manhole

You can see these ama divers' free diving demonstrations at the Kosode Ama Center, which are held every year from July to September

There is also a cafeteria where you can buy merchandise and enjoy freshly picked ingredients

The first floor of the building sells Amachan merchandise and local specialties. The second floor has an exhibition corner where you can learn about the history of the northern female divers. The third floor is a restaurant

They serve dishes such as freshly caught sea urchin rice bowls, Iwate's soul food "mamebu soup," and salted soft serve ice cream with the perfect balance of sweet and salty. There is an observation deck on the rooftop, from which you can see the vast Pacific Ocean where the female divers of the north dive. Tents are set up around the area. They sell charcoal-grilled scallops and sea urchin, and the freshly grilled food is absolutely delicious

Watch the dynamic free diving of female divers

There is a fee to watch the northernmost female divers dive, but it is a reasonable price of 500 yen per person

Before the tour, purchase a "Free Diving Demonstration Viewing Ticket" at the shop. For each ticket, you will receive an "Original Northernmost Ama Ama Sticker." This sticker is a rare item that can only be obtained here. There are two types, so you can choose the one you like

The female divers wear kimonos, shorts, and tabi socks. In their hands they hold a tool called a soekagi, which they use to catch sea urchins. Around their waists they wear a net called a yatsukari, which they use to put the sea urchins they catch. The female divers dive into the sea in front of the center. Veteran female divers dive for one minute, and sometimes catch more than 10 sea urchins at a time. On the other hand, younger female divers only dive for a few seconds, and are known for catching only a single sea urchin. However, the female divers dive with all their might, and are constantly cheered on by onlookers

The sea urchins that the female divers catch while free-diving are grilled and served on the spot. The freshly caught, freshly grilled, freshly caught, northernmost sea urchins have earned a reputation for their delicious taste

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