Mie prefecture (Kinki area)
Ise Jingu
Toyoke Grand Shrine, located in the center of Ise City with Mt. Toyoke Omikami is the deity of the Imperial Court, who is in charge of Amaterasu Omikami’s meals at the Inner Shrine, and is also revered as the guardian deity of food, clothing, shelter, and industry.
Walking through the torii gate, stepping on the gravel, and walking along the pathway with sunlight filtering through the trees, one is filled with a sense of freshness.
Yokocho
In the middle of the gate town of the Inner Shrine of Ise, typical buildings of Iseji have been relocated and recreated. The charm of this region is concentrated here, so visitors can experience at once the tastes, specialties, history, customs, and even humanity of Mie’s long-established shops, and the place is a healing place where nostalgic and relaxing time flows amidst the bustle of daily festivities.
Toba Aquarium
Toba Aquarium keeps the largest number of species in Japan. It breeds about 1,200 species of sea and river creatures. The main attraction of the Toba Aquarium is the wide variety of marine life on display. Visitors can observe jellyfish, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and other creatures up close in a variety of seawater exhibit tanks. Visitors can also learn about the deep world of the ocean, including deep-sea creatures and coral reef ecosystems.
Mikimoto Pearl Island
Mikimoto Pearl Island, located in the lush green of Toba Bay, was the first island in the world where Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in pearl cultivation in 1893.
The Pearl Museum, which shows everything about pearls, the Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Museum, which introduces the life of Kokichi Mikimoto, known as the Pearl King, and the Pearl Plaza (store and restaurant) are all located on the island, which is approximately 7,000 tsubo in area.
Mt. Asakuma
Asakuma has a well-maintained trail to the summit, which can be reached in a relatively short time. Along the trail, visitors can enjoy lush natural scenery and seasonal plants, especially in spring when cherry blossoms and azaleas create a beautiful scene.
There is an observatory at the top of the mountain from which you can see the city of Wakayama, the Pacific Ocean, and sometimes even the islands in the Kii Channel. Asakuma is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities such as picnicking, nature walks, and trail running, as well as mountain climbing. There are also hot spring facilities and restaurants at the foot of the mountain where you can relax after your mountain activities.
Sky Post
The Sky Post is located at the Asakuma summit observatory on the 16.3 km long Ise-Shima Skyline, which connects Ise and Toba. It is designated as a sacred place for lovers. If you send a letter from this post, it will be postmarked with the only “Ise postmark” in Ise. Currently, if you post a letter from Ise City, it will be postmarked Yokkaichi, so this is a very valuable postbox.
Married couple’s rock
Since ancient times, the couple rocks have been known as a place to worship at sunrise. About 700m offshore, the sacred stone of Sarutahiko, the deity of the area, rests, and it is said to be a place of refuge for descending deities and a sacred place where deities from the everlasting world come to visit.
The couple rocks are regarded as the torii (gateway) for worshipping the sunrise and the Kohtama shrine stone. The male and female rocks are 9 m and 4 m high, respectively, and the oshimenawa, a 35 m long rope connecting the two rocks, is 16 m long on the male rock and 10 m long on the female rock, with 9 m between them.