【About the SEA-FOLK MUSEUM】

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	The Toba Sea-Folk Museum was founded in 1971 to preserve the knowledge and history of Toba’s fishing traditions and culture. We are the only museum inJapan dedicated to understanding the traditions of Toba’s fisher-folk, and the relationship between man and the sea. For over 30 years the museum has collected and preserved the antique fishing equipment of Mie Prefecture’s fishing villages, and researched the traditions and religion of the area’s fisher-folk.
In 1985 the museum was awarded ‘Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties’ by　Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, for our collection of over six thousand exhibits about Toba’s ancient fishing traditions and antique fishing equipment.The museum was built in Uramura, outside of Toba city, in order to preserve the fishing heritage of this area for future generations. It took over 6 years to plan and build the museum, and it finally opened to the public in 1993.

【Exhibition】

	１．TRADITIONS OF SEA FOLK People love the ocean. The oceans of the world have brought forth life under the sea.  For the Japanese, inhabitants of pacific islands, the ocean has been more significant than just a place where people get food and salt. The ocean has been used as a highway for trade or as the means of customs and religions etc. since ancient times.  Traditions of Sea Folk has been characterized by a long and significant relationship between the ocean and people.
	２．AMA DIVERS IN SHIMA  The history of Ama (women diver) fishing dates back to 10,000 years ago. How could they catch abalones in less than 50 seconds without scuba-equipment? Try holding your breath for as long as the Ama, when watching them dive.
	３．SEA-FOLK FAITH AND FESTIVALS In Japan, gods reside everywhere. This is an important point to understand the Faith of Japanese. Gods may settle in a house, in a boat, and  even in a small piece of wood. Japanese worship natural phenomena because of this belief. Meet “the Ebisu” god, the Japanese god that brings fortune and harvest.
	４．FISHERY IN ISE BAY Ise Bay used to be a favorable fishing area. People would catch just what food they needed for the day. In those days man depended on himself or being developed. “Utase-ami ryo”, trawling nets using a sail-boat was one of traditional methods of fishermen.
	５．FISHERY IN SHIMA AND KUMANO In the past, dropping octopus-pots, harpooning Marlins, sharks and whales, snatching schools of sand lance by scoop net in the area have been replaced by technological innovation.  Don’t miss the processing of Katsuo-bushi(dried bonito) and nori(sea weed). Both of which are essential to prepare Japanese dishes.
	６．SEA POLLUTION Industrial waste discharge and land reclamation have destroyed tidal flats and shallow seaweed areas, the home of small marine life. Thermal pollution from atomic generator plants is affecting the whole environment of the sea. Our daily life easily becomes a source of pollution. It’s time to Save Our Seas when we notice S.O.S. signals from marine organisms.
	７．WOODEN BOAT AND NAVIGATION Travel back in the past and hear the sounds of waves with the collection of Japanese original and Asian wooden boats in the museum’s ship storage. In Japan, boat builders used to put a spirit called funadama-san in each new boat he made. As boat builders are becoming fewer in number today, unique and traditional construction techniques are disappearing.

We also keep over 75 small wooden fishing boats on display in our special collection room.

Four times a year the museum holds special exhibitions and photo galleries, giving
further opportunities to explore the long relationship between Toba’s fisher-folk and the sea.

【Ａrchitect】

The museum is located in a beautiful part of Toba’s countryside close to
the sea, where you can hear the birds singing and appreciate the sea air.
In the museum’s friendly atmosphere you can explore the long relationship
between people and the sea, looking at over 58,000 exhibits.

Toba Sea-Folk Museum has been awarded several prizes, including

• Japan Inter-Design Forum Prize by Japan Inter design Forum
• Award of Architectural Institute of Japan by Architectural Institute of Japan
• Award ofPublicBuilding    by The Ministry of Construction.

【Opening times】
21^st March 〜　30^th November　　　9am 〜　5pm
※Opening hours are extended between
　　　　　　　29^th April 〜　 5^th May and 20^th July 〜　25^th August　　
　 8.30am〜　 5.30pm
1^st December 〜　20^th March　　9am 〜　 4.30pm

【Closing days】

The museum will not be open on 26^th June〜30^th June, and 26^th December 〜30^th December.

【Admission fees】

【Address】

Toba Sea-Folk Museum

Tokai Suisan Kagaku Kyoukai Foundation

Post code: 517-0025

1731-68 ogitsu Uramura-mach

Toba -City MiePrefecture

【Access】

（By Car）from the pearl road “ounouraoohashi” go 3km and turn left.
From Toba tenboudai drive 3.5 km and turn right.

（Train and Bus）coming from the JR and Kintesu Line Toba train station and
using the Sankou Bus which goes via pearl road takes about 25 minutes.
Get off at the “Umi no hakabutsukan” stop and the museum is a 7 minute walk.