Kosode Coast

Kosode on the Iwate coast is the northernmost point in Japan where ama divers, traditionally women, still free-dive to harvest abalone, sea urchin, and shellfish without scuba equipment. The practice has been continuous here for centuries, and visitors can watch from the rocky shoreline as the divers surface and rest in small heated huts called amagoya before going back under. The coastline is dramatic, with dark volcanic rock and cold Pacific water. A small building near the shore explains the history and technique of Kosode ama diving.