This time we explore the Omori area, located in the south of the city along Tokyo Bay. As a former aquaculture hub specializing in nori (edible seaweed), it retains a deep connection to the ocean. James Farrer (Professor, Sophia University) visits one of many local nori wholesalers, then encounters a group cultivating the crop using traditional methods. Later, he climbs to higher ground and learns about Omori's history as a tourist destination. Join us as we dive into this bayside neighborhood.
[Omori Nori Museum]
This museum runs a research project at a nearby coastal park where volunteers grow nori using traditional methods. At the museum itself, visitors can experience Omori's seaweed heritage up close, with exhibits including nori-making tools and boats, and a hands-on nori-making class.
[Nori no Matsuo]
This nori wholesaler was founded in 1669. It sources nori from across Japan and roasts the sheets on-site before packing them into bags. The neighborhood is home to 40 such wholesalers, speaking to its history as a major nori-cultivation center.
[Hakkei Tenso Shrine]
This shrine sits atop a hill directly in front of Omori Station. A map showing the area 6,500 years ago indicates that the shoreline once ran along the foot of the hill. During the Edo period, this place was known as Hakkei-zaka (Eight-view Hill), and the surrounding landscape was immortalized in woodblock prints by masters such as Utagawa Hiroshige.