Mie Hidden Gems
11 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…