Cultural experience in adakocho, Toba TobaCity! Your heart and stomach will be completely satisfied with the interaction with the Ama divers and the calming meditation! Relaxing version

Experience in adakocho! Click here for the active version!

Adako-cho TobaCity City is full of charm, including fun activities at the sea, delicious seafood, and cozy accommodations where you can relax!

I heard that you can experience zazen meditation at the temple, so I came here.

saimyoji, a temple of the Nanzenji sect of Rinzai Buddhism, is just a short walk from the coast!
When you step into the grounds, which have a beautiful well-kept garden, you will naturally feel your spine stretch. There are also plenty of experiences where you can relax and feel the history and culture.

It is said to have been founded by Tokiyori Hojo, the 5th regent of Kamakura who visited adakocho on a nationwide pilgrimage, and is said to have been founded by Tokiyori's teacher, the Zen master Gottan Funei, and has ties to Kamakura.

What you can experience is ``zazen meditation'' conducted by the chief priest Hoshimi of saimyoji.
When you think of zazen, you might think it's formal and you don't know what to do. Isn't it tough? Many people may think so, but there is no need to worry!


The chief priest will teach you the tips and methods of zazen in an easy-to-understand manner, even for first-timers.

First of all, regarding the way you sit, at first glance it looks like you are sitting cross-legged, but the official way to sit is to place your legs crossed on top of your left and right thighs.
Fold your hands together and look 1 meter ahead with your eyes half-opened like the Great Buddha...
Then count while breathing slowly.

Even elementary school children can concentrate here!
When you stop talking, all you hear is the sound of the wind and the chirping of birds. A luxurious tranquility spreads out where you can feel nature right next to you.

The chief priest walks among the rows of participants as they sit in zazen and enjoy a slow and quiet time.


On the way, if those who wish to do so put their hands together, the chief priest will stop and receive a warning.
Keisaku is a flat wooden stick that is used to strike the shoulders and back of the person practicing asceticism.
I took the opportunity to try out Keisaku with my family!

Don't worry, we will give you a warning with just the right amount of force.
Having your left and right shoulders hit will tighten your heart even more!
I want to inspire myself! If you are one of those people, please feel free to request one while visiting the chief priest.

After going around this process twice, the zazen experience will be completed in about an hour.
We all broke down and shared our thoughts at the end.


``I want to count the numbers, but after a while I end up thinking about other things.''
"My legs hurt and I couldn't concentrate."
We receive honest comments such as, ``I was able to have an experience that I wouldn't normally have!''

``One way to reexamine yourself is through zazen, where you throw away distractions and become mindful.When you get angry or irritated, don't forget to calm down and take a breath,'' Chief Priest Hoshimi tells me. I did.

In a quiet environment surrounded by nature, I was able to get away from everyday life for a while and spend some fresh time facing myself!

Zazen experience
Price/Adult 1,000 yen
Holding time/9:00-16:00 (about 1 hour)
※By appointment only. For reservations and inquiries, please contact saimyoji
*If there is a memorial service, etc., we may ask you to change the schedule.

saimyoji
Address: 191 Hatakocho, TobaCity City, adakocho 517-0033
Phone number/0599-33-6089
URL／http://www.toba.gr.jp/spot/8704/
Access by public transportation: Approximately 35 minutes by Kamome bus from Toba Bus Center, then approximately 5 minutes' walk from Kamome Takoguchi stop.
Access by car/about 40 minutes from Ise IC

After zazen, head to AmaHut（Amagoya）Hachiman-kamado, which overlooks Matoya Bay, for lunch unique to this area.
Here, female divers who fish for abalone and turban shells by free diving will tell you about the life of the divers in Toba while grilling fresh seafood right in front of your eyes.

The Ama divers who are still actively diving in the sea will be serving you here by grilling shellfish!
She will welcome you warmly like a mother.

What I tried that day was the ``Celebrity Feeling Course''.
This popular course includes the classic live turban shell, cypress shell, large clam, dried fish, and either spiny lobster or abalone.

Inside the hut, the meal begins around the hearth where the Ama divers grill the seafood!
Not only can you watch the seafood being grilled up close, but you can also have the grilled food delivered to your seat, which is a great experience.

The famous spiny lobster, which will be open for fishing from October, will also be grilled!
``This was also just caught yesterday,'' confirming its freshness.
It's a great photo opportunity to see the magnificent spiny lobsters lined up and turning red!

Everyone was so excited about the big spiny lobster!

The diver divers peeled the freshly baked piping hot shells for us. An indescribably luxurious taste that you can bite into! The plump meat is especially delicious.

It comes with a rich spiny lobster soup, simmered hijiki, rice, dessert, and fruit to fill your stomach.

After the meal, the ama divers told us about their daily lives and fishing.
In the past, you couldn't get married unless you went into the sea, there were days when you weren't allowed to go into the sea, and so many other things I didn't know!
During the question time after the talk, questions were asked one after another.

At the end, the Ama divers performed “osatsu Ondo” to the music! You can also join the circle and dance together.

After the experience, you can take a souvenir photo wearing the Ama costume worn by the Ama divers!
There are sizes for adults and children, so the whole family can enjoy pretending to be an ama diver (adults will have to pay).

Of course, the warm hospitality of the bright and friendly Ama divers and the delicious seafood will satisfy both your stomach and soul.
I was able to learn about the lifestyle of Ama divers and their fishing, and it was an experience that made me appreciate food!




Course menu *Reservation required
Celebrity mood course 6,000 yen (excluding tax) per person
Menu: 2 turban shells, 3 cypress shells, 1 large clam, dried fish, boiled hijiki, 1 spiny lobster or 1 abalone, spiny lobster soup, rice, pickles, fruit

Just like a celebrity course 8,000 yen (excluding tax) per person
Menu: 2 turban shells, 2 cypress shells, 1 large clam, dried fish, boiled hijiki, 1 spiny lobster, 1 abalone, spiny lobster soup, rice, pickles, fruit

Other courses are also available! Please let us know your desired course when making a reservation.


AmaHut（Amagoya）Hachiman-kamado
819 osatsu TobaCity, 5170032
Phone number: 0599-33-1023 (Hyoyoshiya)
Official URL／http://amakoya.com/
Business hours: 11:00-17:00 (reservation required) (see website for details)
Closed: 1/1~5, 8/13~15, 12/30~31 Every Thursday (please inquire)
Access by public transportation: Approximately 35 minutes by Kamome bus from Toba Bus Center, then approximately 5 minutes' walk from Fatakoguchi stop. Shuttle bus available from Kintetsu JR Toba Station (reservation required)
Access by car: Approximately 35 minutes from Ise IC



A very satisfying trip to the shores facing the calm sea and experiencing the history and culture that has been cultivated first hand!
Why not plan an original trip and go there to refresh yourself?

Experience in adakocho! Click here for the active version!

TobaCity Tourism Association
Address: 1-7 Daimei Higashicho, TobaCity City, oaki Prefecture 517-0022
Phone number/0599-25-3019
Business hours/Monday to Friday 8:30 to 17:00 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and New Year's holidays)
Official URL／http://www.toba.gr.jp/