The seabed in Toba Harbour is too shallow for ships to dock. As a result, large cruise ships anchor in Toba Bay and guests are taken ashore by tender. This is part of the journey and an attraction of Toba Harbour.
The Toba Marine Terminal is in front of the Toba Railway Station, from where you can walk to some of the best sights and scenic spots. It also provides easy access and efficient transport to nearby tourist attractions.
Here are the top five things to do in a day, starting from the Port of Toba.
1. Visit the birthplace of pearl culture
Not far from Toba Port, on the small island now known as Mikimoto Pearl Island, Kokichi Mikimoto, later known as the Pearl King, became the first man in the world to cultivate pearls in 1893. At Mikimoto Pearl Island, you can visit the Pearl Museum, which displays the pearl production system and antique pearl jewellery, watch a diving demonstration by ama (women divers) who once worked with Kokichi Mikimoto in his research on pearl farming, and shop for Mikimoto brand pearls.
Admission 1650 yen, 10 minutes’ walk from Toba Marine Terminal.
https://www.mikimoto-pearl-island.jp/en
2. Visit Ise Jingu Shrine
Ise Jingu, dedicated to Amaterasu, also known as the Sun Goddess, is the highest-ranking shrine in Japanese Shintoism. 5,500 hectares of forest surround the Inner Shrine, which is filled with a sacred atmosphere and clean air. The street in front of the Inner Shrine is a beautiful display of traditional Japanese architecture and is lined with restaurants and souvenir shops, making it a pleasant place to stroll and shop.
Approximately 1 hour from Toba Marine Terminal (by bus, train, or taxi).
https://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/
3. Walking (enjoying the local area)
The town of Toba is compact and ideal for exploring. Walk along the seafront, browse the small shops where you can buy fresh seafood, relax in a cafe serving good coffee or try the local noodles, Ise Udon.
On the hill where the castle once stood, there is a handsome TOBA monument. It would be a nice souvenir to take a photo of the monument with the cruise ship you were on in the background.
4. Meet ama divers who practice sustainable fishing.
In Japan, Ama divers are fisherwomen who dive and fish with sustainability in mind. Toba is home to the largest number of ama divers in Japan. Let’s go and meet the cheerful and friendly ama divers who live in harmony with nature. In Toba, there is a seafood restaurant where you can meet ama divers in their environment, called Ama Hut Experience. You can enjoy delicious seafood, a unique cultural experience and a chance to meet the locals all in one.
5. Meet creatures only found here / Toba Aquarium
With more than 1200 species, it is the largest aquarium in Japan (in terms of animal diversity)! The only aquarium in Asia where you can see the dugong.
The ocean is the home of all life on earth. We humans were once born from it. At Toba Aquarium you can experience the vastness, richness and wonder of the sea.
Admission ¥2,800. A 15-minute walk from Toba Marine Terminal.