Kamoba (Imperial Wild Duck Preserves)

Currently, there are two Kamoba managed by the agency: the Saitama Kamoba in Saitama Prefecture and the Shinhama Kamoba in Chiba Prefecture. Each preserve has a very large pond called a "Motodamari," which is about 12,000 square meters wide. Every year, over 2,000 ducks and other migratory birds come to spend the winter there.

Duck-netting at these preserves is done using traditional methods that do not harm the ducks, from mid-November to mid-February. The species and gender of the ducks captured during duck-netting are recorded for international bird research and the ducks are then released. The duck preserves are also used as places to host important guests from Japan and abroad.

When guests are hosted at the Kamoba, they learn about Japan’s nature, traditions, culture, and history through duck-netting.