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Shirongo matsuri
This rural festival is held annually at the Shirahige shrine on Suga island in Toba, Mie Prefecture. More than 200 women divers (ama) dive into the sea on the 11th day of the sixth lunar month and compete in gathering abalone (awabi) off the eastern shore of the island; this part of the shore is closed to fishing for the remainder of the year. The abalone collected during the festival day is offered to the deity of the Shirahige shrine.