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Aug 14, 2023 · Mie Prefecture sits in the Kansai region of Japan, close to the center of the main island of Honshu. Often overshadowed by more famous neighboring prefectures of Kyoto and Nara, there are many hidden gems waiting to be explored in Mie.
- Top 12 Things to Do in Mie Prefecture: Make Your Vacation ...
Mie Prefecture is located between the Kinki and Chukyo...
- Top 12 Things to Do in Mie Prefecture: Make Your Vacation ...
- Where to Stay in Mie
- My Favorite Things to Do in Mie
- How Many Days Should You Spend in Mie?
- FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Mie Prefecture
- The Bottom Line
One of the best ways to tackle the things to do in Mie I’m about to list efficiently is to stay close to a train station. Personally, I find Ise to be a really good base, as it’s halfway between Matsusaka and Toba, the two other cities I’m going to recommend you visit while you’re in Mie. My hotel of choice is the Sanco Inn just opposite Ise Statio...
Say a prayer at Ise Jingu
On one hand, Ise Jingu is the most important (and, in terms of land area, perhaps the largest) Shintoshrine in Japan. On the other hand, such sacred sites always leave me a little cold, what with their oppressive uniformity. A visit to Ise Jingu probably won’t change your life, or even impress you the way many less famous Japanese shrines (and, indeed, temples) will, but a walk through here on your first morning in Mie will set your soul aright before you start exploring.
Hunt for pearls in Toba
Your list of things to do in Mie really begins in Toba. Perched on the northern coast of the Shima peninsula just shy of its tip, Toba is home both to regionally famous attractions (Mikimoto Pearl Island and Toba Aquarium) as well as more obscure treasures, such as the string of grilled seafood shops (I’m a huge fan of the oysters at Kaiya) just south of the station. Do be aware that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see the traditional Ama pearl divers do their thing.
Taste delicious Matsusaka beef
Speaking of food, another place to dive into the culinary traditions of Mie is in Matsusaka, located about halfway between Ise/Toba and the provincial capital of Tsu. As to where you eat Matsusaka beef? The options are endless, as they are in Japan’s other famous beef destinations of Kobe and Takayama. I’ll give my endorsement to the humble Kairaku-tei, whose authentic hospitality and fair prices make it a standout.
Mie is at once a very large prefecture and one with a somewhat limited array of attractions for most travelers. I don’t say this last part to dismiss it. Rather, I want to hammer home that unless you decide to rent a car and explore Mie’s vast rural reaches, you don’t need a very long time here. In fact, if you plan primarily to do the things I’ve ...
What is Mie famous for?
Mie is most famous for being home to Ise Jingu, Japan’s most important Shintoshrine. Other reasons Japanese people (and a perilously small number of foreigners) know Mie include the pearl divers (and oysters!) of Toba, the beef of Matsusaka and the Ise lobster, which is actually closer to a langoustine.
How far is Mie prefecture from Tokyo?
Tokyo is about 400 km from Tsu, the capital of Mie prefecture, which requires about 5 hours of driving time. The fast way to reach Mie from Tokyo, keeping in mind that Mie doesn’t have an airport, is to ride the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya(100 minutes), then ride a Kintetsu Limited Express train from Nagoya to Tsu, Matsusaka, Ise or Toba (between 60-90 minutes).
Where is Shima located?
The Shima peninsula, where many of Mie prefecture’s most beautiful destinations, is located south of Nagoya, just before where Ise Bay empties into the sea. You can think of Shima as an eastward-reaching outgrowth of the Kii peninsula, which is occupied primarily by Nara and Wakayama prefectures, and is home to such attractions as Mt. Koya, Shirahama Beach and the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage.
I hope you feel as inspired by my Mie travel guide as I felt pumped up while writing this article. While Mie is an obscure part of Japan that takes some digging to appreciate, I have no doubt that you have the curiosity and perseverance within you to do it. Otherwise, I doubt you would’ve ended up here! I especially love visiting Mie on a weekend t...
Discover the top things to do in Mie, home to ama, or female free divers. Don’t miss revered Shinto complex Ise Jingu Shrine, Nagashima Spa Land, or Toba Aquarium. The Akame 48 falls and Nabana no Sato flower fields connect you to nature.
- Ise Grand Shrine. Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu) is one of the most historical Shinto spots in Mie to visit. Despite its name, Ise Grand Shrine is not one single shrine.
- Oharai-machi. On the path leading to Ise Grand Shrine is Oharai-Machi, a street lined with local restaurants and small souvenir shops. To experience the taste of the locals, head to Akafuku on this street.
- Okage-yokocho. Located in the inner area of Ise Grand Shrine on the Oharai-machi street is Okage-yokocho. “Yokocho” refers to an old Japanese alley way, and this part of the city recreates the old temple town seen between the Edo and Meiji periods of Japan.
- Futamiura and Meotoiwa. Futamirua is a delta that forms at the end of Isuzu River flowing into Ise Bay, located on the northeastern area of Ise City. This was formerly a place used as a place of purification when visiting Ise.
- Visit Ise Grand Shrine - Home of the Japanese Spirit. Ise Grand Shrine, officially "Ise Jingu", is a shrine with over 2000 years of history and 125 different Shinto shrines, including the Inner Shrine and Outer Shrine.
- Learn About Ninjas at the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum. Iga-ryu matches Koga-ryu for one of the most famous schools of ninja techniques. Here, you can learn about the daily life and the skills and knowledge of ninjas.
- Enjoy The Dream-like World of "Nabana no Sato" Nabana no Sato is Japan's largest flower theme park and a popular sightseeing destination for international visitors.
- Enjoy Ise Shrimp and Other Bountiful Seafood. With its long north-to-south coastline, Mie Prefecture is abundant in exquisite seafood, including their famous spiny lobster.
Nov 27, 2020 · Mie is brimming with beautiful nature, as it has a deeply indented coastline and enormous mountain ranges, where you can enjoy the fall foliage. The prefecture is also famous for its amazing local treats, such as the spiny lobsters, Matsusaka beef, and Ise udon. How about visiting Mie to have both, an extraordinary, yet a novel adventure? Index
Aug 18, 2020 · Famous for its beautiful temples, Mie is one of the most sacred prefectures in Japan. With its many places of worship dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, its miraculous waterfalls, and its side roads, this small prefecture in southern Kansai is one of the favorite destinations of Japanese pilgrims.
