[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

Kosode Ama Center is located in Kuji City (northeast of Iwate Prefecture), which is adjacent to Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. The facility faces the Pacific Ocean and is located at sea level. It has a history of being completely destroyed without a trace during the Great East Japan Earthquake. It has now been successfully restored. The foundation for this was the popular drama ``Ama-chan.''

It's been many years since it aired, but fans still come to see it. The Ama divers of the Kosode coast are the origin of Ama-chan.

Non, who stars in Ama-chan, has also visited.

Meet Japan's northernmost ama diver

Kosode Ama divers are active in Japan's northernmost seas, located at 40 degrees north latitude. For this reason, she is called the "northern limit of divers." Sea urchins and abalone are harvested by skin diving in the sea, which is extremely cold even in summer.

Kosode Beach/Ama manhole at the northern limit
Kosode Beach/Ama manhole at the northern limit

You can watch a demonstration of free diving by Ama divers at the Kosode Ama Center. It is held from July to September every year.

There is also a cafeteria where you can buy goods and enjoy freshly harvested ingredients.

Ama-chan goods and local specialties are sold on the first floor of the building. On the second floor, there is an exhibition corner where you can learn about the history of the northern ama divers. The third floor is a dining room.

They offer freshly caught sea urchin bowls, Iwate's soul food ``Mamebu soup'', and salt soft serve ice cream with the perfect combination of sweetness and saltiness. There is an observation deck on the roof. You can see a panoramic view of the vast Pacific Ocean where the northern divers dive. Tents are set up around the area. Charcoal-grilled scallops and sea urchin are on sale. Freshly baked is absolutely delicious.

Watch the dynamic free diving of Ama divers

There is a fee to watch the northernmost ama diving. However, the price is low at 500 yen per person.

Before the tour, purchase a ``seal diving demonstration ticket'' at the shop. You will receive a ``Northern Limit Ama Original Sticker'' for each 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.

Ama divers wear kimonos, shorts, and tabi socks. In her hand, she holds a soekagi, a tool for catching sea urchins. Around her waist, she wears a net called a yatsukari, which is used to store the sea urchins she collects. Ama dives into the sea right in front of the center. The diving time for veteran divers is 1 minute. She may catch more than 10 sea urchins at once. On the other hand, younger Ama divers only dive for a few seconds. The number of sea urchins is also small, about one. However, as the ama dives with all her might, her spectators constantly cheer her on.

The sea urchin that the divers catch by skin diving is grilled on the spot and served to you. The taste of freshly caught, grilled, and northernmost fresh sea urchin has earned a reputation for being extremely delicious.

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