Toba

Toba is a port city in Mie Prefecture located on the northeastern side of Shima Peninsula, spanning multiple islands within Ise Bay. The area sits within a national park and benefits from its natural setting along the Pacific Ocean.

During the Sengoku period, Kuki Yoshitaka made this place his capital and built a castle, transforming the region from a pirate settlement into an organized domain. This founding laid the basis for the city's later development as a significant port.

The city is home to Japan's largest community of ama divers, women who practice free diving to harvest seafood and pearls as they have for centuries. This tradition remains visible in local life and shapes the identity of the people who live here.

The city is easily accessible by rail, with connections via JR Tokai and Kintetsu Railway linking it to larger cities. The area can also be reached by several national routes, making exploration straightforward.

The city produces cultured pearls and oysters within a national park, contributing significantly to Japan's marine product industry. This blend of traditional diving and modern pearl farming makes the place economically and culturally distinct.

Location: Mie Prefecture

Inception: November 1, 1954

Reference: 242110

Shares border with: Ise, Shima

Website: https://city.toba.mie.jp

GPS coordinates: 34.48133,136.84342

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:20