Searching for the real thing that you can wear for decades: Finding a one-of-a-kind pearl in Uwajima

Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture is a major pearl producing area.

About an hour's drive from Matsuyama Airport, Uwajima in Ehime Prefecture is one of the regions that boasts the top share of pearl production in Japan, alongside Ise-Shima in Mie Prefecture and Tsushima and Iki in Nagasaki Prefecture.

Pearl farming began in the Uwa Sea in 1907, with its calm waves, water temperature suitable for pearl cultivation, and an abundance of diatoms to serve as food for the Akoya oysters that grow the pearls. Uwajima is unique in that it not only cultivates pearls, but also cultivates the Akoya oysters that become the mother shells, and this style of carrying out two processes in parallel in one region is known as the "Ehime method," and is a rare production system in Japan.

How are pearls made? Experience it locally and take home some jewelry

Before actually experiencing this, let's first learn about how pearls are made.

Pearl farming has six main steps:

In fact, it takes an astonishing two years just to cultivate the oysters (mother oysters) that produce pearls. Knowing how many years it takes for a single pearl to be born makes us feel even more attached to them.

From here, we will introduce you to facilities where you can actually experience part of this process.

"Akoya Hime": Choose one from the many and process it yourself

First up is "Akoya Hime," where you can experience making pearl accessories. Since you can take your time choosing the pearls you want to use in your accessories, it's perfect for people who are particular about the color and shape of the pearls.

After consulting with the store staff, you will decide what kind of accessories you want to make - necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc. All accessories are made with high-quality materials, even down to the base.

Once you have decided which accessory to make, the next step is to choose the pearls.

Choose one pearl from the clear cup to use in your accessory. The pearls are roughly divided by color, size, and shape, so you can choose the color and size you like while imagining what the finished product will look like. If you look closely, you'll see that the pearls, which are uncolored and grown by living creatures, are all very cute and have different expressions. Some people spend more than an hour carefully choosing one pearl.

Once the pearls to be used in the accessory have been decided, a special machine is used to drill holes in them.

Once you have placed the metal fittings through the holes, your bracelet is complete. We recommend choosing pearls with unique shapes to add some originality.

Akoya Hime Tsushimacho Main Store

"Doi Pearls": Learn through hands-on experience how pearls are made and how to distinguish them

Next is Doi Pearl, where you can participate in a pearl farm experience tour with a souvenir included. They have a selection of rare accessories such as brooches and ear cuffs, which are recommended not only for yourself but also as gifts for loved ones.

Here you can hear about the process of how pearls are made. You will be carefully taught about what kind of shells pearl nuclei are made from, how they are made, and what work is done in the workshop.

You can see up close how the thin membrane (mantle) that covers the body of the cell shell is cut off and how it is inserted into the mother shell together with the nucleus. The moment the scalpel is inserted into the shell is just like a human surgery. The delicate work will leave you holding your breath.

After learning the basics about pearl farming, the next step is to experience extracting pearls. At the base of the long pier, you choose an oyster from which to extract a pearl. You will be shown where the pearl is, and when you press it lightly with your finger, a beautiful pearl will emerge. Bathed in plenty of sunlight, it sparkles and shines.

Holding the pearls tightly in their hands, the next step is to choose the base of the accessory. There is a wide variety of options, including brooches, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, which are fun to look at. Many people choose ear cuffs, which can be worn naturally on just one ear. This time, I chose a brooch with a mandarin orange flower motif.

Now it's time to hand it over to the professionals. While they are making your jewelry, learn how to tell a good pearl from a good one and about the types of shells that produce pearls. Compare pearl necklaces while referring to some points to distinguish the quality of pearls, so that you can see the difference.

While admiring the pearl products in the store and the calm sea outside the window, I finished making a brooch. The accessory I made will be delivered to you in a presentation box and paper bag, so it can be given as a gift as is.

Doi Pearl

"Yamashita Pearl": Going offshore on a fishing boat to collect pearls

The last one is "Yamashita Pearl" where you can experience fishing boat cruise and pearl extraction. This is the place for active people who want to go out to the sea where pearls grow and experience pearl extraction on a boat.

The smell of the sea, the calm sea, and the islands and peninsulas floating here and there... the view from the special seat is simply spectacular. While enjoying the spectacular view of the Uwa Sea, many buoys came into view. These are the pearl farms where pearls are currently being grown.

The net for the oysters is pulled up and an explanation given to us of the structure of the oysters and where the pearls are formed.

When we harvest pearls, we are taking life from the oyster. With gratitude, we searched as instructed, and found a beautiful cream-colored pearl inside. After harvesting the pearl, we can eat the adductor muscle of the Akoya oyster at our own risk. It has a slightly salty taste and is delicious.

Returning from the ocean, we headed to the nearby Yamashita Pearl shop. In the workshop on the second floor, we had the pearls we had unearthed made into accessories (basically all production is done by staff, but there is also another plan where you can experience making accessories together with them under their guidance in the workshop).

While I was waiting, I was able to spend some time looking at the lovely pearl accessories in the shop on the first floor, and I couldn't help but be captivated by the many original pearl accessories on display.

Your pearl bracelet is now complete. This pearl bracelet is the only one of its kind in the world, freshly removed from its mother oyster in the ocean. You'll want to wear it every day.

Yamashita Pearl

Each and every bead is unique. Use the "real thing" for a long time with care

Pearls have been treasured since ancient times, and are said to bring about various wishes, such as health, harmony, longevity, and wealth. The luster and color of real pearls, which have been carefully cultivated over time, are sure to become a talisman that gives you the power to move forward every time you see them. Why not go on a trip to Uwajima, a famous pearl producing area, to experience the beautiful sea and encounter a one-of-a-kind item that will last you a lifetime?

Domestic Discount Fares Skymate

Limited to ages 12 and over and under 25!
Extremely affordable discount fares available for booking from the day of departure (4 hours before departure)

(Reference) How pearls are made

Pearl farming begins with cultivating the oysters (mother oysters) that will grow the pearls. After purchasing the mother oysters, a nucleus, which is the core of the pearl, is inserted, but before that, there is a very important process called "restraint."

Restraint is the process of packing the mother oysters into a sealed cage with poor ventilation to weaken them to a moderate degree. You may be worried when you hear that they will be weakened, but putting them in a state of suspended animation actually gives the oysters an anesthetized effect, minimizing the stress on the mother oysters when inserting the nucleus. It's easier to understand if you think of it as being similar to a human being hospitalized before major surgery.

Once the suppression period is over, it's finally time to insert the nuclei. This job requires particularly skilled techniques, and it takes several years to become a proficient worker. Even so, it is said that a skilled worker can insert as many as 1,000 nuclei in a day.

The pearl oysters with their nuclei inserted are left to rest in a calm bay for about a month until the wound heals, after which they are checked one by one and then moved offshore. Even after being released into the ocean, they require careful care, such as checking the condition of the oysters and cleaning their surfaces once every one or two weeks.

Pearls are extracted from Akoya oysters in winter, when the water temperature drops and the pearls shine beautifully. Akoya oyster shells are exported to be used as materials for mother-of-pearl crafts and buttons, and the adductor muscle is a precious delicacy that is served at the dinner table.

Usually, the pearls are selected according to size and beauty and put up for auction, but some producers even process the pearls into accessories themselves. In Uwajima, there are opportunities to experience part of the pearl removal process and pearl processing, as in the spots introduced earlier, so be sure to try it out for yourself.

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