Doi Pearl

Family-run pearl farm and showroom in Uwajima, a small coastal city in southern Ehime known for producing fine Akoya cultured pearls. Guided tours walk you through the cultivation process, from nuclei implanting into oyster shells to harvesting and grading, all against the backdrop of Uwajima Bay where the oyster rafts float in calm, sheltered water. The showroom sells finished jewelry at prices well below city retail, and you can try opening an oyster yourself to find the pearl inside. Uwajima's pearl industry stretches back over a century, and the family's deep involvement gives the visit an educational feel rather than a commercial one.