Travel Gifu launches luxury boat for cormorant fishing tours

[thomas]

The designer best known for creating the Nanatsuboshi (Seven Stars) luxury sleeper train has completed another high-end tourism project, this time centred on Gifu's traditional ukai (鵜飼) cormorant fishing. Eiji Mitooka, who helped shape one of Japan's most celebrated rail experiences, turned his attention from JR Kyushu to a new riverboat service operated by Gifu City. The vessel, named Uichi, was conceived as the flagship of sightseeing tours on the Nagara River. Each charter costs ¥400,000 per trip and comes with a dedicated concierge to handle passengers' requests throughout the journey.

City officials hope the boat will appeal particularly to affluent overseas visitors. It was built at a local shipyard for around ¥40 million. The engine-powered vessel measures 16 metres in length, 3.2 metres in width and 4 metres in height. Much of its structure is made from Japanese umbrella pine sourced within Gifu Prefecture.

Although the Uichi is based on a sightseeing boat design capable of accommodating up to 30 passengers, it is intended for only 12 guests to assure each has ample space. Acrylic shoji screens to partition the inside of the boat from the elements are another change not present on other crafts. "The boat's appearance is specifically arranged to evoke a sense of both nostalgia and novelty at the same time," Mitooka said. "The structure set up aboard will make it possible to adjust and control elements such as wind, rain and brightness." Three luxury tourism boats were already in service to showcase the time-honored style of fishing where well-trained cormorants are "wielded" to catch seafood. However, along with the Uichi's exterior differing significantly from conventional sightseeing crafts, these other vessels were designed with benches and lack shoji, windows and walls to separate the inside from out. The Uichi continues to buck the norm with its six movable semi-circular tables and 12 chairs; banquets and social gatherings can be held before and after boarding.

Gifu unveils luxury boat for cormorant fishing tours | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

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