Located in Ise-Shima National Park on the eastern coast of Japan’s Mie Prefecture, Kaito Yumin Club offers immersive experiences and tours that highlight Toba’s rich coastal history. For over 2,000 years, the sea and islands have shaped the lives of the local fishermen and the iconic Ama, traditional women divers who have practiced their craft for generations. Mie is not only known for its maritime traditions but also for its historical landmarks, such as the Ise Grand Shrine and Mikimoto Pearl Island, the birthplace of pearl farming! Kaito Yumin Club allows guests to connect with this vibrant history and local way of life while exploring the natural beauty of the region. From kayaking through the National Park’s waters and tasting fresh seafood, to experiencing the unique Ama culture, Kaito Yumin Club offers an award-winning ecotourism experience that reveals what makes Toba a truly unique destination. With tours led by English speaking guides and an Italian speaking guide, every visitor can enjoy a personalized journey through this remarkable coastal area, discovering the true spirit of Toba. Keep reading to hear more from this amazing tourism company!
1-Day Ama Experience Tour – Photo Credit: Kaito Yumin Club
Hello! Can you please introduce yourself?
Hello! My name is Kiku Ezaki and I’m CEO of Kaito Yumin Club. I was born and raised in Toba. We operate with a staff of six and plan/market about 20 different tours that allow you to experience the charms of Ise-Shima. I once worked for a company in Tokyo, but returned to Toba at the age of 23 to take over the family ryokan business. Then I started Kaito Yumin Club with my friends in 2001 when I was 26 years old.
Wakame (Seaweed) Harvesting – Photo Credit: Kaito Yumin Club
What inspired the creation of the Kaito Yumin Club and what vision did the founders have in mind?
When we started Kaito Yumin Club, local people did not realize the value of the attractions that Toba had to offer. On the other hand, while working the ryokan, I saw that guests were impressed by the cultural and industrial experiences in Toba, so I started planning and managing hands-on eco tours. We believe that in rural areas, it is meaningless to offer tours that only add value to the clients. We are committed to eco-tourism as a form of tourism that is friendly to our customers, nature, residents and other industries, and ourselves as a tourism operator.
Ama Fishermen Diving for Shellfish – Photo Credit: Kaito Yumin Club
The Kaito Yumin Club offers so many different experiences to guests so they can learn about Toba City and its culture! What are some of the most popular experiences and why do guests love them?
It is the 1 Day Ama Experience Tour. Ama, or women divers, are fishermen who collect shellfish and seaweeds without oxygen cylinders and by diving with their bare hands. The history of ama divers is said to be more than 3,000 years old. This tour is a one-day tour that allows you to learn about ama and ama culture through hands-on experience. The title of this tour is easy to understand, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. Another important factor is that the tour is designed from a foreigner’s point of view, and the content and time allocated are designed for efficient enjoyment of Ise-Shima. We believe that this tour is an easy choice for those who are interested in ama for the first time.
Ama Adventure Tour! – Photo Credit: Kaito Yumin Club
What unique cultural tours can guests expect at the Kaito Yumin Club that really immerse them in the local Toba traditions?
There are two tours. The first is the Ama Adventure Tour! Not only can you enjoy diving and communicating with ama divers, but you can also contribute to maintaining the traditional lifestyle of Ama divers and protecting the local environment by catching the sea urchins which damage the seaweed forest. The second is the Sea Bream Spectacular Tour. Sea bream, a fish often eaten on special occasions, is an integral part of Japanese culture. On this tour, you will have the opportunity to see and swim with hundreds of sparkling sea breams up close in an eco-friendly fish farm.
Explore Fisherman Island With Fisherman! – Photo Credit: Kaito Yumin Club
Your activity tours include sea kayaking to deserted islands, snorkeling with Japan’s luckiest fish, and fishing with Japanese fisherman! What is the most exciting wildlife or nature encounter guests can expect during these tours?
Ama. They are not natural creatures, but they are not controllable. Our marine tours often take you to the uninhabited islands called Mitsu-shima. There we often encounter Ama fishing. It is exciting to be able to watch them catch turban shells and abalone up close, isn’t it? I think they are somewhere between nature and human society.
Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour – Photo Credit: Kaito Yumin Club
How do the experiences offered at the Kaito Yumin Club change with the seasons? Are there certain activities you would recommend for specific seasons?
There are tours available year-round and seasonal tours. In spring, we recommend the Ama Adventure Tour, where you can dive with Ama. In summer, the Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour is popular and easy for beginners to join. In fall, we recommend the Sea Bream Spectacular Tour, where you can swim with sea breams. In winter, the Seaweed Harvesting and Fisherman Lunch Tour is a must-do. You will board a fishing boat and visit a seaweed farm, which is popular as an ingredient for miso soup. You will be able to harvest and taste the seaweed with fishermen.
Roasted Seafood – Photo Credit: Kaito Yumin Club
The Toba islands are known for their seafood – what is one dish guests absolutely can’t miss while visiting the area?
Toba is home to many delicious seafood products, each of which has its own season. For example, Sawara (Spanish mackerel) is in season from fall to winter, Sawara caught by trolling and meeting several criteria are branded locally as “Toshijima Toro Sawara,” named after the island where many of them are caught. In January, you can taste wakame (seaweed) shabu shabu which is only available at this time of year because it is the thinning out of cultured wakame (wakame that has not yet fully grown) and is soft and can only be tasted locally, etc. I want people to enjoy the delicious foods of each season.
Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Come to Toba and actually feel those attractions. And I would be happy if you could have a sightseeing experience to ensure that those attractions will be passed on to the future.
Thank you so much for taking the time to be interviewed!
Website: https://oz-group.jp/english/
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Featured Photo Credit: Kaito Yumin Club
