A traditional fishing method called kachi-u is employed on the Fuefuki River. In this method, cormorants are used to catch fish while the fishermen wade in the river. With a history that stretches back 800-years, this rare fishing method has continued in the area since the Heian Period (794-1185). Legend has it that after the Taira Clan fell in Dannoura, Taira Dainagon Tokitada escaped to Isawa and made his living on cormorant fishing, which he had learned as entertainment when he was a court noble.
Cormorant fishing ceased for a while; however, with the desire to pass down historical legends to future generations, it was brought back in 1976 in cooperation with the fishery cooperative. It has become a summer tradition in Isawa and is performed along with the Isawa Onsen Cormorant Fishing Fireworks Festival between the mid-July and mid-August. Tourists have the chance to dress in the costume of a cormorant fishing master and experience cormorant fishing for themselves.
Cormorant fishing ceased for a while; however, with the desire to pass down historical legends to future generations, it was brought back in 1976 in cooperation with the fishery cooperative. It has become a summer tradition in Isawa and is performed along with the Isawa Onsen Cormorant Fishing Fireworks Festival between the mid-July and mid-August. Tourists have the chance to dress in the costume of a cormorant fishing master and experience cormorant fishing for themselves.