Mie Hidden Gems
일본인이라면 평생 한 번은 참배한다는 이세신궁이 자리한 곳. 황실의 조상신 아마테라스를 모시며 20년마다 사전(式年遷宮)으로 사전을 새로 짓는다. 부부바위의 일출 도리이, 마쓰사카규, 도바의 진주와 아마(해녀) 문화까지 더해져, 간사이 근교에서 가장 영적인 깊이를 지닌 여행지다.
20 spots
Ise Jingu — Japan's Most Sacred Shinto Shrine
Walking through Ise Jingu's forest approaches feels like stepping through a curtain between worlds. The path to Naiku, t…
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 doesn't just melt in your mouth—the phrase gets overused, but here it's literally accurate. At proper ser…
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
Ama divers work the water the way their mothers and grandmothers did—no tanks, no wetsuits thick enough to matter, just…
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…