Nagara River Cormorant Fishing (Ukai) 2026
A 1,300-year-old torchlit tradition: Gifu's Imperial cormorant masters work leashed birds on the Nagara River nightly, May 11-October 15, 2026.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/05/11 19:45 – 2026/10/15
- Where
- Nagara River (Nagarabashi Bridge boat landing)（1-2 Minatocho, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture 500-8009 (Gifu City Ukai Viewing Boat Office)）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- About 20 min by JR Tokaido Line from Nagoya to JR Gifu Station. From JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station, take a Gifu Bus bound for Nagarabashi (about 15 min) to the Nagarabashi-minami / Kawaramachi stop, then walk 1 min to the boat landing; taxis are also available from either station (exact fare/time not confirmed — ask at the station taxi stand).
- Price
- Shared sightseeing boat (2026 rates): ¥4,200 adults / ¥2,100 children on regular days; ¥5,100 adults / ¥2,600 children on peak dates. Watching for free from the riverbank is also possible.
- Organizer
- Gifu City Ukai Viewing Boat Office (岐阜市鵜飼観覧船事務所)
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- About 20 min by JR Tokaido Line from Nagoya to JR Gifu Station. From JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station, take a Gifu Bus bound for Nagarabashi (about 15 min) to the Nagarabashi-minami / Kawaramachi stop, then walk 1 min to the boat landing; taxis are also available from either station (exact fare/time not confirmed — ask at the station taxi stand). Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Shared sightseeing boat (2026 rates): ¥4,200 adults / ¥2,100 children on regular days; ¥5,100 adults / ¥2,600 children on peak dates. Watching for free from the riverbank is also possible.. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers
Highlights
- Roughly 1,300 years of unbroken history — once placed under the protection of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and still performed today by ushō holding hereditary Imperial Household Agency appointments.
- Ushō masters work leashed cormorants by open torchlight to drive ayu sweetfish into their nets, nightly at 19:45 throughout the May 11 – October 15, 2026 season.
- Roofed sightseeing boats depart the Nagarabashi Bridge south landing between 18:15 and 19:15; free viewing from the riverbank is also possible.
Background & story
Ukai on the Nagara River is one of Japan's oldest continuously practiced fishing traditions, historically placed under the protection of successive rulers including Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu; today its ushō hold hereditary Imperial Household Agency appointments, linking the nightly spectacle to centuries of court patronage.
Good to know
The season is already underway when you read this (it runs nightly May 11 – October 15, 2026), so no need to wait for a "start date" — just book any operating night. Watch for exceptions: no shared (乗合) boats run on the Gifu Nagara River Fireworks night (August 8, 2026 — charter boats only), and there is a single rest day in late September. On selected summer weekend nights in July–September (納涼鵜飼), a later second sitting also departs around 20:40 for viewing near 21:10. Confirm the current schedule and any added sittings on the official Ukai Boat Office site before booking.