- Attractions by Region -
Immerse yourself in Ise Grand Shrine, Toba, and Iga—Mie’s essential trio!
Ise Grand Shrine
The spiritual heart of Japan, home to the Inner and Outer Shrines. Pristine forests and the Isuzu River invite quiet reflection.
Mikimoto Pearl Island (Toba)
Discover the history and culture of cultured pearls at the Pearl Museum—try a hands-on accessory workshop, too.
Iga-ryu Ninja Museum
Experience ingenious traps in the ninja house, live ninja shows, and shuriken throwing in the interactive halls.
Japan’s spiritual homeland—2,000 years of living tradition.
Did you know the formal order is “Geku first”? It’s a real thing.
Affectionately called “O-Ise-san,” Ise Grand Shrine comprises 125 shrines centered on the Inner Shrine (Kotaijingu) and the Outer Shrine (Toyouke Daijingu).
The time-honored custom is to visit Geku first and then Naiku. This is called “Geku Sensai.”
Naiku enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the imperial ancestral deity, while Geku enshrines Toyouke Omikami, guardian of food, clothing, housing, and industry.
Every 20 years the Shikinen Sengu reconstructs the shrine buildings anew, keeping them eternally fresh. Breathe in the pure air and touch Japan’s origins.
Refuel after your Ise visit—historic temple-town streets re-created.
Fact: this place hosts one of Japan’s biggest gatherings of beckoning cats.
Oharai-machi flourished as the approach to Ise Grand Shrine’s Naiku, and Okage Yokocho recreates landmark architecture from the Edo–Meiji periods.
During the “Good Fortune Maneki-neko Festival,” countless beckoning cats gather from all over Japan—possibly the country’s largest collection!
Savor Ise’s specialties like Ise udon and Tekone-zushi, enjoy sweets like Akafuku mochi, and shop for Ise cotton and pearl crafts along bustling streets.
It’s like stepping back to Edo times—an essential part of the Ise pilgrimage experience.
Japan’s largest species count—and the country’s only dugong.
No set route here—roam freely as you please.
Famous for being Japan’s only aquarium exhibiting a dugong, Toba Aquarium houses about 1,200 species—the nation’s top count.
There’s intentionally no designated viewing route, so you can choose your own adventure and start with the creatures you love most.
Sea lion shows, walrus meet-and-greets, and even an African manatee (a “mermaid” of lore) await. Every visit reveals something new!
Home of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix—with a family theme park next door.
This course has a rare figure-eight overpass—seriously unique worldwide.
A stage for the F1 Japanese GP and the Suzuka 8 Hours, Suzuka’s international racing course features a figure-eight layout with an overpass—rare among world circuits.
The adjacent “Motopia” park teems with kid-friendly attractions where you can actually drive and learn road rules while having fun.
Catch breathtaking racing up close, hop in a go-kart yourself, and dive deep into the thrill of motorsports.
Mecca of thrill rides—one of Japan’s biggest amusement parks.
Yes, Steel Dragon 2000 has held multiple Guinness World Records.
A national icon for adrenaline junkies, Nagashima Spa Land boasts an army of scream machines.
“Steel Dragon 2000” has been recognized by Guinness for track length, height, drop, and speed—this monster coaster is a rite of passage.
In summer, the Jumbo Seawater Pool opens; nearby are “Yuami no Shima” hot springs and the “Jazz Dream Nagashima” outlet mall. An all-day entertainment island!
Seasonal flowers plus one of Japan’s largest winter illuminations.
The illumination keeps scaling up—more LEDs, new designs every year.
Nabana no Sato’s winter lights are among Japan’s biggest, delighting visitors with cutting-edge artful displays.
Beyond the lights, enjoy seasonal blooms: tulips, nemophila, plums, and cherry blossoms in spring; hydrangeas and irises in summer; cosmos and dahlias in autumn.
The Begonia Garden is spectacular, and even outside illumination season, this is a floral paradise worth the trip.
A prayer road linking Ise and the Three Kumano Grand Shrines—walk sublime stone paths and nature.
Back in Edo times, this route boomed with Ise pilgrimages.
The Iseji connects Ise Grand Shrine to the Three Kumano Shrines (Hongu, Hayatama, Nachi) and is part of the UNESCO-listed “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.”
People once said “Seven times to Ise, three to Kumano,” and the Iseji thronged with pilgrims during the Edo period.
Expect beautiful stone pavements, bamboo groves, and mountain passes—Magose Pass and Matsumoto Pass are especially popular.
Let the devotion of travelers past inspire you as you walk this tapestry of history and nature.
Symbols of marital harmony—sunrises between the rocks are pure magic.
The sacred rope is replaced three times a year—seriously heavy, too.
Two rocks bound by a sacred shimenawa rope stand offshore in Ise Bay, long venerated as a sunrise-worship site.
The rope is replaced in May, September, and December during the O-Shimenawa-Hari-Kae Shinto rite. It’s roughly 35 meters long and weighs about 40 kilograms!
The rocks are said to function as a gateway-torii for the distant Okitamashinseki (sacred stone) of Sarutahiko no Okami.
From May to July, you can catch the sun rising between them—an unforgettable sight. Blessings include love, marriage, and safe travel.
Birthplace of cultured pearls—discover pearl lore and ama diver culture.
Those iconic white ama outfits? They doubled as a talisman against sharks.
Mikimoto Kōkichi pioneered cultured pearls here. See traditional demonstrations by ama divers in white garments, said to ward off sharks.
Explore the Pearl Museum and the Mikimoto Kōkichi Memorial Hall to learn the science and history of pearls, then shop exquisite creations.
It’s a pearl theme park that shines with the passion of the people behind the gem and the sea culture that nurtured it.
Fiesta vibes—Spain-inspired rides, parades, shows, food and more.
Some buildings were literally crafted by Spanish artisans.
Parque España recreates architectural styles from across Spain—some structures were made with help from real Spanish craftsmen, heightening the authenticity.
From thrill rides and family attractions to parades and character shows, entertainment overflows.
Don’t miss flamenco performances and Spanish cuisine—it’s a full day of Iberian charm. ¡Olé!
Trap-laden ninja house, live-action shows, and hands-on shuriken fun.
From the outside, it looks like an ordinary farmhouse—then the tricks begin.
In Iga Ueno, this museum centers on a ninja house packed with defensive devices: revolving panels, hidden doors, weapon caches, and more—often guided by a kunoichi.
See authentic ninja tools in the Tradition Hall and try shuriken at the Experience Hall. Don’t miss the high-energy ASHURA NINJA show!
Channel your inner shinobi and explore a mysterious world—“nin-nin!”
Ninja training grounds of lore—gorgeous cascades and giant salamanders.
The name comes from a legend of En no Gyoja meeting Fudo Myo-o on a red-eyed ox.
Set in Muro-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park, “48” signifies “many.” Along a 4 km trail, encounter distinctive falls like Fudo, Senju, and Nunobiki.
It’s said ninjas once trained in this ravine. The Japanese giant salamander, a Special Natural Monument, lives here, too.
New green leaves and autumn colors are superb. Hike under negative ions and unleash your inner ninja.
Four seasons from the sky—azaleas, cool summers, fiery foliage, rime ice.
Spot the “Jizo Rock” and other quirky formations—nature’s own sculptures.
Rising to 1,212 m, Mt. Gozaisho is reached via a 15-minute ropeway ride.
Weathered over eons, whimsical rocks like “Obareiwa” and “Jizo Rock” dot the mountain—the latter looks like a little Jizo statue wedged between boulders and is beloved by test-takers.
Enjoy azaleas in spring, cool breezes in summer, vivid leaves in autumn, and crystalline rime in winter—truly a sky-high playground all year.
Zero distance to marine life—touchingly close encounters.
Here, a massive Steller sea lion might literally give you a lap pillow.
Nicknamed “Ise Sea Para,” this aquarium is famed for intimate interactions with animals.
Meet Steller sea lions, seals, and walruses in special programs—yes, a giant sea lion may lay its head on your lap, and you can even touch a walrus.
Harbor seals may snuggle onto your knees during “Gororin Time.” Few aquariums offer experiences this up-close.
Located by Meoto Iwa, it pairs perfectly with your Ise shrine visit for a heartwarming day.
Time-travel to Azuchi–Momoyama—ninja fun plus a real hot spring.
There’s an actual onsen here—perfect after shows and activities.
Formerly “Ise Azuchi-Momoyama Bunkamura,” this theme park recreates a flamboyant historical town with ninja shows, archery, and period drama theaters.
The on-site “Azuchi Jokano-Yu” hot spring even has open-air baths with views over Ise Bay—ideal for unwinding post-adventure.
Food options include local staples from Ise udon to Matsusaka beef. Spend a whole day starring in your own period drama.
“Beauty bath” at the foot of Mt. Gozaisho—soak amid lush ravines.
Legend says a wounded deer healed here—hence “Deer’s Hot Spring.”
Dating to the Nara period, Yunoyama Onsen’s founding tale tells of a deer who healed its wounds by bathing here.
The alkaline radium waters are famed for silky, smooth skin—a “beauty bath” cherished for centuries.
Nestled in the Gozaisho foothills, the area offers seasonal scenery and quick ropeway access to summit views. Many writers once sought inspiration here.
Praised in The Pillow Book—silky waters and timeless serenity.
Sei Shonagon lauded this as “Nanakuri no Yu” in The Pillow Book.
Flowing at the foot of Mt. Nunobiki, Sakakibara Onsen is believed to be the “Nanakuri no Yu” extolled by Sei Shonagon alongside Arima and Tamatsukuri.
Its alkaline simple spring (high pH) leaves skin satin-smooth—a renowned beauty bath in quiet countryside settings.
Ryokan inns and day-spa facilities are scattered about—feel the same “silky slip” people loved a thousand years ago.
Endless wind turbines and grand ridgelines—panoramas to Ise Bay.
Home to one of Kansai’s largest wind farm clusters—about 90 turbines.
Spanning 600–800 m in elevation, the plateau’s skyline is lined with massive turbines, creating surreal, almost foreign vistas perfect for drives or rides.
On clear days, see Ise Bay, the Chita Peninsula, and occasionally even Mt. Fuji. Hiking trails abound, with brilliant azaleas in season.
Bask in wind and greenery on a wide-open, soul-refreshing day out.
One-sweep views of Ago Bay’s rias coast—Michelin Green Guide starred.
Yes—this panorama earned a Michelin Green Guide star.
From 203 m above sea level, admire Ago Bay dotted with over 60 islands and intricate rias coastline.
Relax at the terrace café “Mirador Shima,” sampling local bites while soaking in the view.
Sunset turns sea and sky to ember—look toward Kashikojima, the Ise-Shima Summit venue.
White three-tier donjon and one of Japan’s tallest stone walls.
Its main bailey stone wall rises around 30 m—taller than Osaka Castle’s.
A beloved symbol of Iga, the white keep was reconstructed in the early Showa era.
The star, though, is the west-side stone wall—about 30 m high, among the tallest in Japan—built by master castle planner Tōdō Takatora to fortify against Toyotomi forces.
Exhibits showcase arms and Tōdō family artifacts. In spring, the castle is also a cherry-blossom favorite.
Edo-period post town preserved—Important Preservation District.
Roughly 1.8 km of townscape survives almost intact—like a movie set.
The 47th station on the Tōkaidō, Seki-juku retains around 200 machiya houses from Edo to Meiji along about 1.8 km.
Designated an Important Preservation District, even utility poles and vending machines are placed to respect the scenery.
Visit former honjin, inns, and merchant houses, and learn at local museums. Try the famed “Seki no To” confection while strolling like a traveler of old.
One of Japan’s largest resort villages—food, wellness, and curiosity.
Some venues are supervised by Michelin-starred chefs.
In Taki Town, VISON spreads out with a farmers’ market, restaurants, hotels, baths, and museums.
Food is a centerpiece: expect Michelin-level supervision in select venues and dishes celebrating local ingredients.
Bathe in herb-infused waters, tour craft soy sauce and miso facilities, and explore workshops—an immersive dive into Japanese food and culture in nature-harmonized spaces.
Sea-carved art along the Kumano coast—cliffs shrouded in legend.
Linked to the “demon-slaying” legend of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro.
Onigajo stretches about 1.2 km along tuff cliffs battered by the Kumano Nada. Caves and rock forms sculpted by uplift and erosion feel otherworldly.
Legend says general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro subdued a feared pirate “Tagamaru” here.
Walk the trail past “Senjojiki” and “Oni no Furooke” and revel in the thrills and views—part of the UNESCO Kii heritage.
A 25 m lion roaring at the sea—National Place of Scenic Beauty.
Legend says a lion’s head emerged from a village well long ago.
Towering over Shichiri Mihama beach, this 25 m rock looks like a lion roaring at the waves.
Formed by uplift and marine erosion, it’s a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, and part of the UNESCO Kii heritage.
At sunset, its silhouette blazes against the sky—purely elemental power.
Possibly Japan’s oldest shrine—megalith worship of goddess Izanami.
There’s no shrine hall—the colossal rock itself is the deity.
Cited in the Nihon Shoki, Hananoiwaya is among Japan’s oldest shrines and has no honden (main hall).
The goshintai is a ~45 m megalith venerated as the tomb of Izanami, the mythic mother who bore the land.
Twice yearly (Feb 2 & Oct 2), the “Otsuna-kake” rite stretches a ~170 m sacred rope from the rock’s summit to a pine sacred tree—a breathtaking sight.
Japan’s nostalgic countryside—1,340 tiny paddies drape the mountain.
Records suggest the landscape has been here for 400+ years.
With about 1,340 minuscule rice fields, this is one of Japan’s largest terraced landscapes.
Though once threatened by abandonment, local and volunteer efforts have restored and preserved its beauty—planting and harvest seasons draw crowds.
The terraces morph with the seasons, from mirror-like water to green waves and golden ears—pure nostalgia made real.
Vast Pacific views on the Pearl Road—epic sunrises and sunsets.
The restaurant looks like a flying saucer—really.
Midway along the scenic Pearl Road, this lookout at 163 m commands sweeping ocean panoramas.
The restaurant “Osukuni Kurao” features a futuristic circular design—try local seafood or the playful “Toba-ger” burger.
Come for golden hour—few places set the mood like this horizon.
The “art of meat”—supreme marbling and melt-in-your-mouth bliss.
Myth check: beer and massages were once talked about—today’s husbandry is more standardized.
Among Japan’s Big Three Wagyu, Matsusaka beef is famed for ultra-fine marbling and buttery texture—truly edible art.
Tales abound of beer and shochu massages in the past; modern ranching focuses on meticulous, standardized care for exceptional quality.
In Matsusaka, savor sukiyaki, steak, yakiniku, and more—nothing beats tasting it at the source.
Palace of Saio priestesses who served Ise—step into courtly elegance.
The Saio lived lavish yet secluded lives—glamorous and mysterious.
The Saiku was the palace where imperial princesses (Saio) served Amaterasu at Ise in place of the emperor for ~660 years, with over 60 Saio residing here.
Their world brimmed with waka poetry and court music, yet was full of restraints, shrouded in mystery.
The museum presents excavations and research; the Itsukinomiya Hall lets you try on period attire and step into the pages of The Tale of Genji.
Futuristic carpets of light—one of Japan’s top factory-nightscape hubs.
Many call it a “holy land” of factory night views in Japan.
A new kind of tourism, factory nightscape gazing finds a prime stage here: lattices of pipes and plants glow like sci-fi worlds.
See it from “Umiterasu 14” in the port building or on a night cruise—multiple vantage points show different personalities.
Once marred by pollution, the complex now captivates with sheer scale and light—an image you won’t soon forget.
Wellness-meets-gastronomy—onsen, stays, and sweets by star pâtissier.
The bakery and patisserie are by world-famous pâtissier Hiroyuki Tsujiguchi.
In Komono, AQUA×IGNIS blends hot springs, lodgings, restaurants, and a superb bakery/patisserie lineup.
Savor confections at “Confiture H” and breads at “Mariage de Farine” by pastry master Tsujiguchi, soak at 100% free-flowing Kataoka Onsen, and pick strawberries in season.
The architecture channels a serene, art-museum vibe—reset your senses in style.
Weeping plum blossoms of stunning scale—limited seasonal opening.
Many trees are the rare “Kureha Shidare” double-blossom variety.
Open for roughly a month in early spring, this garden supports traditional horticulture research and preservation.
About 200 ume trees gather here, including venerable centenarians, with many “Kureha Shidare” specimens—night illuminations turn it into a dreamscape.
A true “peach blossom spring” come to life—catch it while you can.
Ikeda Masuo’s ceramic reliefs meet the nature of the Suzuka Range.
“Paramita” comes from the Buddhist term pāramitā—“crossing to the other shore.”
At the foot of the Suzuka Mountains in Komono, Paramita exhibits Ikeda Masuo’s Hannya Shingyo ceramic series and rotating special shows.
The adjacent Paramita Garden blooms through the seasons—a contemplative fusion of art, nature, and Eastern thought.
You might just feel closer to enlightenment here.
Meiji-era craftsmanship—an imperial guesthouse by Meoto Iwa.
Built in 1887 to host distinguished visitors to Ise Grand Shrine.
Near Meoto Iwa, Hinjitsukan welcomed members of the imperial family and leading figures and is now a National Important Cultural Property.
Marvel at the grand Momoyama-style hall, elaborate transoms, and refined gardens—a showcase of Meiji-period artistry.
Tour freely and drift into the elegance of a bygone social scene.
“Ageuma Shinji” horse-climbing rite—guardian of North Ise.
Riders charge up a ~2 m earthen wall—an auspicious harvest omen.
Affectionately “O-Tado-san,” Tado Taisha is known as the “Great Shrine of North Ise,” long venerated alongside Ise Grand Shrine.
Each May, the Ageuma Shinji sees mounted youths spur their horses up a steep earthen slope—the number of successful runs forecasts the year’s harvest.
A sacred white horse resides here; soak in the shrine’s vibrant, living traditions.
Lives shaped by the sea—~60,000 artifacts, 90 wooden boats.
The architecture evokes seaside storehouses—award-winning design.
Dedicated to the culture of fishers, sailors, and ama divers, this museum preserves about 60,000 items—around 90 wooden boats plus fishing gear and shipwright tools—mostly authentic objects.
The building resembles a cluster of coastal storehouses and is acclaimed in its own right.
Feel the deep ties between people and the sea—rare, riveting, and real.
Three-mast ship circles Ago Bay—pearling rafts and rias coasts.
The “Esperanza” is modeled on a 16th-century Spanish carrack.
Departing from Kashikojima (site of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit), the ~50-minute cruise glides past pearl rafts and a lacework of islands.
Stop by a pearl model factory to watch nucleus insertion—a rare peek behind the jewel.
Salt wind, quiet coves, and cruising nostalgia—pure relaxation afloat.
Stage of Mishima Yukio’s “The Sound of Waves”—nature-rich isle.
Archaeology shows ritual sites from the Kofun period.
About 30 minutes by ferry from Toba, Kamishima charms with locations from the novel: Yashiro Shrine, the lighthouse, and lookout ruins.
Untamed nature meets literary romance—and history runs deep, with ancient ritual remains discovered here.
Fresh seafood abounds; slow down and let island time work its magic.
Icon of the “painters’ town”—white tower over rugged sea cliffs.
Artists flocked here for generations—every angle is a canvas.
Perched at the tip of Daio Point, this white lighthouse crowns a dramatic rias coastline.
Climb the spiral stairs for vast Pacific views, then explore wave-carved cliffs and photogenic fishing lanes.
Selected among “Japan’s 50 Lighthouses,” it might nudge you to pick up a brush yourself.
Columnar-jointed cliffs—nicknamed the “Yabakei of Kansai.”
The “Byobu-iwa” looks like a giant folding screen—nature’s monolith.
For ~8 km along the upper Shorenji River, volcanic columnar joints tower dramatically.
The “Byobu Rock” wall overwhelms like a titanic screen—new green and autumn blaze are spectacular.
Drive or hike to absorb the valley’s raw, rugged grandeur—and a calming shower of negative ions.
Urban botanical park—enjoy seasonal blossoms and greenery.
Look for the world camellia collection—~300 varieties bloom in late winter to spring.
In central Suzuka, the park features a grand greenhouse, herb garden, peony and iris gardens, and more.
A vast lawn and kids’ play areas invite family picnics—and admission is free.
Agri-food theme park—make sausages and bread, meet mini pigs.
Yes, some pigs are show stars—watch them hurdle and roll balls!
In Iga’s satoyama, Mokumoku invites hands-on agriculture and food fun.
Daily mini-pig shows delight, and you can join workshops from sausage making to bread baking and try dairy experiences. There’s a farm-to-table restaurant, onsen, and lodging, too.
See, touch, craft, and taste—celebrate nature’s bounty with the whole family.