After exploring Ise Grand Shrine, I made my way to Toba. It only takes 20 minutes to get there from Geku at Ise Grand Shrine on the Kintetsu Line, or you can take a bus and the Kintetsu Line for 30 minutes from Naiku.
When I arrived at Toba Station, I was greeted by a peaceful sea. Toba is located at the northeastern tip of the Shima Peninsula, with the sea to the north and east.
he climate is mild, and the entire city area is part of Ise-Shima National Park due to its beautiful rias coastline and abundant nature.
Toba Bay Tour and Dolphin Island
The boat terminal is about a 10-minute walk from Toba Station. You can take a sightseeing boat from here to see the scenic spots of Toba Bay. The boats depart every 30 minutes. I got off the boat when it stopped at Dolphin Island during the cruise. Dolphin Island is a dolphin-shaped island off the coast of Toba Bay. From the observatory on the island, I had a great view of Toba Bay, surrounded by the sea on all sides.
Flower Mermaid
I went on a cruise around Toba Bay on the Flower Mermaid. The boat is 39 meters long, weighs 200 tons, and can hold 360 passengers. The hull was painted with “Hamanadeshiko,” the flower of Toba City, and “Hamayu,” a typical flower of Ise-Shima.
The photo above is of Toba Bay from the deck of the Flower Mermaid. You can see three small islands called Mitsushima lined up like stepping stones.
Dolphin Island
I left the “Pearl Island Aquarium Pier” on the Flower Mermaid. I passed through the “Toba Marine Terminal” on the way and arrived at Dolphin Island in about 25 minutes.
Dolphin Island has an observatory at the 142-meter summit. You can get there in 2 minutes by lift or 10 minutes if you walk. I took the single-seater lift. It was my first time riding a lift without snow, and it was scary because I could see the ground clearly and felt high up.
Viewing platform
Climbing to the observatory, I had a 360-degree view of the entire island and Toba Bay.
The view of Toba Bay from the unobstructed observatory was spectacular.
It was a beautiful day, and the sea in Toba Bay was calm.
There was a promenade on the island. I could relax and enjoy the calm waters of Toba Bay from the shore of Dolphin Island. If you have a chance to come to this island, take a walk not only at the observatory but also along the island’s boardwalk. I walked around the island for about an hour before boarding the boat. After leaving Dolphin Island, the cruise boat took about 25 minutes to return to the Pearl Island and Aquarium boarding area.
Mikimoto Pearl Island
After getting off the boat, we headed to Mikimoto Pearl Island, which is right by the pier. The island is located in Toba Bay and is famous for being the site of the first successful pearl cultivation in the world by Kokichi Mikimoto. Now, the entire island has been transformed into a pearl-themed park. The Pearl Museum and Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall are located on Mikimoto Pearl Island. Here, visitors can learn not only about pearls but also about the life and achievements of Kokichi Mikimoto.
Bronze statue of Kokichi Mikimoto
A bronze statue of Kokichi Mikimoto, wearing a bowler hat and cloak and carrying a cane, can be found on the island. This walking stick was given to him by Empress Teimei.
Kokichi Mikimoto was born in Toba City in 1858 and is known for being the first person to cultivate cultured pearls successfully in 1905. He opened a pearl store in Ginza in 1899 and later expanded, opening branches in New York in 1927, London in 1928, and Paris in 1929. He was the Pearl King of the World and passed away in 1954 at 96.
LOVE STONE
Next to the statue of Kokichi Mikimoto, you’ll see a heart-shaped stone discovered in the sea around 2005 by an ama, a female fisherwoman who dives into the sea to catch shellfish and seaweed. The Ise-Shima area is the most active region for ama fishing in Japan, and this stone is known as the LOVE STONE.
The Pearl Museum’s garden was spacious, with a view of Toba Bay. Since it was a weekday, there were few tourists, making it a peaceful setting to lose myself in my thoughts.
After visiting Ise Grand Shrine, I came to Toba. The calm sea of Toba was impressive. I took a sightseeing boat around the island and learned about pearls and Kokichi Kimoto. Kokichi’s life and achievements were tumultuous and exciting. If you can come to Ise, I recommend taking a trip to Toba to immerse yourself in the rich natural environment.
