Ago Bay — Pearl Cultivation & Scenic Ria Coast

Ago Bay (英虞湾) is a deeply indented ria coastline (drowned river valleys creating complex shoreline) dotted with over 60 small islands and famous as the birthplace of cultured pearl farming. In 1893, Mikimoto Kokichi successfully cultivated the world's first spherical pearl in Ago Bay, revolutionizing the pearl industry. Today, the bay's calm waters and numerous pearl farms continue this tradition — oyster rafts float across the bay's protected inlets, producing some of Japan's finest Akoya pearls.

The bay's scenic beauty — pine-covered islands, mirror-calm waters, and pearl farm rafts — creates quintessential Japanese coastal landscape. Observation platforms at Yokoyama Observation Deck (横山展望台) provide panoramic views over the entire bay, especially stunning at sunset when golden light reflects off the water. The bay is part of Ise-Shima National Park and represents traditional Japanese pearl culture alongside natural coastal beauty.