Visiting Uwajima
We left Beppu and sailed overnight to Uwajima on the island of Shikoku, one of the four main islands of Japan. Uwajima is known as one of the three best areas in Japan for pearl cultivation. We chose an excursion to the Doi Pearl Farm where three generations work together to grow, harvest and sell Akoya pearls. Pearl cultivation is a complex endeavor. There are oysters of different ages to care for, nucleation and post-nucleation management, oyster cleaning, and pearl…