The Birth of a National Park: How the Pearl King Kokichi Mikimoto Championed Ise-Shima
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
By Toshio Hanatani
Local in Toba
The Unexpected Side of the Man Who Created the "Sea of Pearls" and Loved the Mountains
Kokichi Mikimoto, a native of Toba, is widely known as the "Pearl King" who succeeded in the world's first pearl cultivation and marketed them globally. Even past the age of 90, he remained remarkably energetic, surprising those around him, and in the latter half of his life, he was a driving force behind the movement to designate this region as a National Park. How did he perceive and promote the nature of his homeland? We explore his footsteps to find out.
Efforts in the National Park Designation Movement
Japanese National Parks are unique in that many people live within their boundaries and they receive many tourists. Unlike many overseas national parks consisting mostly of uninhabited state-owned land, the ideal here is the coexistence of nature and people. For Ise-Shima, which became a National Park shortly after Japan's defeat in World War II, the development of transportation infrastructure was a critical challenge.
Before the war, Kokichi, already in his 70s and having succeeded in inventing cultured pearls, was traveling to exhibitions across Europe and America and had become a local dignitary. In 1929, the Shima Electric Railway opened between Toba Station and Shinkō Station (now Kashikojima). Kokichi had been busy petitioning the government and raising donations for this cause. Enkichi Ishihara, a member of the Mie Prefectural Assembly at the time, wrote regarding this movement that they were determined to "improve the newly laid Shima Railway by obtaining a National Park designation and attracting tourists" (*1).
At a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the railway’s opening, Kokichi remarked that while Shima had always been a place of scenic beauty, it was "regrettable that famous historic sites remained buried in the countryside and widely unknown due to inconvenient transportation." It was also reported that he used this occasion to encourage young people to climb Mt. Aonome (elevation 336m). That Shima Electric Railway later became the Kintetsu Shima Line. Even today, Matsuo Station on the Shima Line remains close to the entrance of the Mt. Aonome climbing trail. In 1931, a petition was submitted to the government to designate Mt. Asama and the coastal areas of the Shima region as a National Park, and Kokichi’s name was listed as one of the local representatives.
Entertaining Guests in the "Sea of Pearls"
These movements were temporarily suspended due to World War II, but in 1946, the year after the war ended, momentum grew to realize "Ise-Shima National Park," which would also include the Ise Grand Shrine. This required approval from the GHQ (General Headquarters) of the Allied Powers, which governed Japan at the time.
At this stage, the 88-year-old Kokichi was called upon for a major role. He met with the National Park officials from the GHQ who had come for a final inspection and guided them through a pearl factory on an island in Ago Bay. It is said that his natural spirit of hospitality greatly delighted the officials. The National Park designation was decided that same year, and it is believed that the pearls—which Kokichi had begun cultivating and promoting to the world—contributed a mystical charm to these waters. His reputation for hospitality continued to spread, and a steady stream of distinguished guests from Japan and abroad came to visit him.
Episodes of His Love for the Mountains
On a different note, Kokichi made it his daily morning routine to walk the hills of Mt. Hiyori, near his birthplace. He also seemed particularly fond of Mt. Asama (elevation 555m), which spans Toba City and Ise City.
Evidence of this is the "Mikimoto Kago-tateba Monument" standing at the Mt. Asama Summit Observatory against the backdrop of Toba Bay. By the time he reached his 60s, he would travel to the mountain in a kago (a palanquin carried by people). The explanation on the sign states that he was so moved by the beautiful view from the summit that he erected the stone monument himself. It was his custom to spend one or two weeks during the summer at a villa he built on the mountain.
Furthermore, he had been a devotee of Kongōshō-ji Temple near the summit and its Okunoin (inner sanctuary) since his youth, and today, the graves of Kokichi and his wife are located there. It has also been passed down by a local teahouse owner that "Kokichi Mikimoto planted many peony cherry trees (botan-zakura) along the path to the Okunoin entrance" (2). Today, Mt. Asama is a popular spot not only for hiking but also as a driving route. The Ise-Shima Skyline, which passes through the summit observatory, can be accessed via toll booths in both Toba and Ise.
The Origin of Grand Vision and Action
While we have traced the relationship between Kokichi Mikimoto and Ise-Shima National Park, the episodes shared here are only a small part of his story. He was an extraordinary individual who combined the immense patience to never give up on pearl cultivation despite repeated failures with the greatness of character to build a world-class jewelry brand through interactions with people across the globe. You can learn more about his footsteps at the Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall located on Mikimoto Pearl Island, a 5-minute walk from Toba Station.
Go Deeper: In the city center, a 10-minute walk from Mikimoto Pearl Island, stands a stone monument marking the site of Kokichi’s birthplace. His family ran an udon shop called "Awako," where Kokichi frequently helped out as a young boy. At the entrance of the Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall, the storefront of "Awako" has been faithfully recreated.
1 From "20-Year History of Ise-Shima National Park" (Published by Ise-Shima National Park Association)
2 From Ise-Shima Keizai Shimbun "Peony Cherry Trees Planted by Pearl King Kokichi Mikimoto in Full Bloom at the Summit of Ise-Shima Skyline" https://iseshima.keizai.biz/headline/2790/
Related Links Mikimoto Pearl Island https://www.mikimoto-pearl-island.jp/en
Ise-Shima Skyline *Japanese only https://www.iseshimaskyline.com/
