Mikimoto Pearl Island — Birthplace of Cultured Pearls

Mikimoto Pearl Island (ミキモト真珠島) is a small island in Toba Bay where Mikimoto Kokichi successfully cultivated the world's first spherical pearl in 1893, transforming pearls from rare natural treasures into accessible luxury. The island operates as a museum and showcase of pearl cultivation, with exhibits explaining oyster biology, pearl grafting techniques (inserting nucleus into oyster to stimulate pearl formation), and the 2-3 year cultivation process.

The island's highlight is the ama diver show (3 times daily) — female divers in traditional white diving robes demonstrate historic pearl harvesting methods by freediving to retrieve oysters from Toba Bay. The performances showcase ama's breath-holding endurance and underwater agility. The island also houses the Pearl Museum, displaying historic Mikimoto jewelry pieces and explaining pearl grading (luster, surface quality, shape, size). The attached boutique sells Mikimoto pearls at premium prices (¥50,000–5,000,000).