Osatsu Ishigami-san & Ama Hut
相差 石神さん・海女小屋
Osatsu, the fishing village with the most ama (female divers) in Japan. Pray at the stone god said to grant one wish to women, then eat seafood grilled by ama divers at their huts.
Osatsu-chō in Toba City is one of Japan's fishing villages with the largest number of ama divers. The “Ishigami” (stone god) within the grounds of Kamisama Shrine has long been revered by ama, and legend says it grants one wish to women. Worshippers buy charms with their wishes written on them. Souvenirs include the star-shaped “Dōman” and the lattice-patterned “Seimaan” charms that ama divers wear while diving. Nearby ama huts let you grill scallops, turban shells, and Ise lobster over charcoal with active ama divers, while they tell you stories from their dives (reservation required; from about 3,500 yen). Next to them is an ama culture museum. Access: about 40 minutes by bus from Toba Station.
Opening hours
Ishigami area open all day; ama hut requires reservation
Nearby sights
- Anorisaki Lighthouse
- Toba Sea-Folk Museum
- Shima Spain Village (Parque España)
- Izawa-no-miya
- Toba Aquarium
- Mikimoto Pearl Island
- Daiozaki Lighthouse
- Kashikojima & Ago Bay Cruise