Ago Bay is the scenic heart of the Ise-Shima region, a deeply indented ria coastline where the sea reaches inland among dozens of forested islets and countless rafts of cultivated pearl oysters, forming one of Japan’s most beautiful and productive stretches of water. This is the cradle of the pearl industry Mikimoto founded, and the classic way to appreciate it is from the water — sightseeing boats, some styled as Spanish galleons, and glass-bottom cruises glide among the islands and pearl rafts, revealing the oyster culture below. Sunset over the bay from viewpoints like Yokoyama is unforgettable, and the area’s beauty saw it chosen to host the 2016 G7 summit.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Shima, Mie (Ise-Shima) |
| Hours | Cruises daytime, seasonal |
| Admission | Sightseeing/glass-bottom cruises ~¥1,600–2,000 |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours cruise; half day with viewpoints |
| Best time | Sunset; spring through autumn |
What to Do
- Sightseeing and glass-bottom cruises among islets and pearl rafts.
- The ria coast’s forested islands and cultivated pearl beds.
- Sunset from Yokoyama viewpoint over the bay.
- The 2016 G7 summit setting of Ise-Shima.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Mikimoto Pearl Island in Toba.
- Pair with an ama diver seafood hut lunch.
- Read our Mie overview .
Getting There
- By train: Kintetsu to Kashikojima Station, the bay’s main hub and cruise port.
- Viewpoints: Yokoyama Observatory is a short trip inland for the panorama.
Tips
Take to the water — a sightseeing or glass-bottom cruise from Kashikojima is the best way to grasp the scale of the islet-dotted bay and its pearl rafts. Pair it with the Yokoyama Observatory for the classic aerial panorama, ideally near sunset when the bay glows, and build in an ama hut seafood lunch nearby to round out a full Ise-Shima day.
