Mie Hidden Gems
20 spots
Ise Jingu — Japan's Most Sacred Shinto Shrine
Ise Jingu (伊勢神宮) is the holiest site in Shinto, dedicated to Amaterasu (sun goddess and mythological ancestor of Japan's…
Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks) — Sacred Sunrise Torii
Meoto Iwa (夫婦岩, 'Wedded Rocks') are two sacred rocks in the ocean connected by a thick shimenawa (sacred rope) made of r…
Oharai-machi & Okage-yokocho — Ise's Edo-Period Shopping Streets
Oharai-machi (おはらい町) is an 800-meter pedestrian street lined with Edo-period style wooden buildings, connecting Ise Jing…
Matsusaka Beef — Japan's Most Luxurious Wagyu
Matsusaka beef (松阪牛, Matsusaka-gyu) is considered Japan's finest wagyu, rivaling Kobe beef in marbling, tenderness, and…
Toba Aquarium — Japan's Only Dugong Exhibit
Toba Aquarium (鳥羽水族館) is Japan's largest aquarium by species diversity, housing over 1,200 species across 12 themed zone…
Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden
Nabana no Sato (なばなの里) is a 230,000㎡ flower park that transforms into Japan's largest light festival each winter (Octobe…
Iga-Ueno Ninja Museum — Real Ninjutsu Techniques & Trick Houses
Iga (伊賀) was one of two historical ninja strongholds in Japan (alongside Koka in Shiga), and Iga-Ueno Ninja Museum (伊賀流忍…
Ama Divers of Ise-Shima — Women Freedivers of the Sea
The ama (海女, 'sea women') are traditional female freedivers who harvest abalone, sea urchins, and seaweed from the ocean…
Ago Bay — Pearl Cultivation & Scenic Ria Coast
Ago Bay (英虞湾) is a deeply indented ria coastline (drowned river valleys creating complex shoreline) dotted with over 60…
Kumano Kodo Iseji Route — Ancient Pilgrimage Trail
The Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) is a network of UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage trails crossing the Kii Peninsula to reach the s…
Mikimoto Pearl Island — Birthplace of Cultured Pearls
Mikimoto Pearl Island (ミキモト真珠島) is a small island in Toba Bay where Mikimoto Kokichi successfully cultivated the world's…
Ise Shrimp (Ise-Ebi) — Japan's Finest Spiny Lobster
Ise-ebi (伊勢海老, 'Ise lobster') is a spiny lobster species native to Japan's Pacific coast, with Ise Bay producing the hig…
Kuwana Clam (Hamaguri) — Sweet Grilled Shellfish
Kuwana hamaguri (桑名のはまぐり) are large clams harvested from the Ibi River estuary where freshwater meets Ise Bay, creating…
Sarutahiko Shrine — Crossroads & New Beginnings
Sarutahiko Shrine (猿田彦神社) is dedicated to Sarutahiko no Okami — the Shinto deity of guidance, crossroads, and new beginn…
Toba Oyster (Toba Kaki) — Grilled Seaside Delicacy
Toba oysters (鳥羽牡蠣, Toba kaki) are cultivated in the nutrient-rich waters of Toba Bay and Matoya Bay, producing large, p…
Matsusaka Castle Ruins & Former Merchant District
Matsusaka Castle (松坂城跡) was built in 1588 by Gamo Ujisato, a samurai lord who also designed Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle. Thoug…
Toba Marine Terminal — Fresh Seafood Market & Bay Views
Toba Marine Terminal (鳥羽マリンターミナル) is a waterfront complex combining a fresh seafood market, restaurants, ferry terminal,…
Iga-Ueno Castle — White Walls & High Stone Ramparts
Iga-Ueno Castle (伊賀上野城) is a reconstructed castle (rebuilt in 1935) famous for having Japan's tallest stone walls — the…
Kashikojima Island — Scenic Resort Island & Bay Cruises
Kashikojima (賢島) is a small resort island in Ago Bay, connected to the mainland by bridge and serving as the gateway to…
Futami Okitama Shrine — Frog Statues & Purification Ritual
Futami Okitama Shrine (二見興玉神社) is a coastal Shinto shrine famous for its hundreds of frog statues (蛙, kaeru) and pre-pil…