Mie’s Top Five Spots for Winter Fun

Winter in Mie Prefecture is something you should experience at least once in your life. It’s not only breathtakingly beautiful but also decadently delicious! From trees bursting with stunning ice flowers to all-you-can-eat oysters, these are my top five choices for the best winter spots in Mie Prefecture.

Written by Adam Douglas

Mount Gozaisho

Japan is famous for its four seasons and Gozaisho is no exception. While the scenery in this mountainous area is beautiful all year round, winter is particularly stunning. Hop on the ropeway and gaze down at a pristine snow-covered world, where trees erupt in frost like delicate ice blossoms. You’ve heard of Japan’s famous cherry blossoms, but I’ll bet you didn’t know it had ice blossoms too! Keep an eye out for towering ice falls cascading dramatically along the mountainside.

Winter sports fans take note: Mie Prefecture’s only ski area is here, with courses for beginners and mogul maniacs alike. You can also go sledding and snowshoeing so don’t miss it.

Nabana no Sato

Have you ever experienced Japanese illuminations? In Japanese, illumination is the word for a special kind of winter light-up event. Imagine Christmas lights taken to an incredible degree. These illuminations have to be seen to be believed. One of the best places to see them is Nabana no Sato, a flower park in Kuwana. Popular with visitors of all kinds, the Nabana no Sato illumination is one of the best in the country. Along with themes that change every year, there are breathtaking flower-focused tunnels of lights, cedar trees decked out to the tips of their branches in twinkling electricity, and much more.

Uramura in Toba City (All-You-Can-Eat Oysters)

The section of Onoura Bay along Uramura in Toba City is famous for farmed oysters. Delicious and easy to eat, they’re at their best in winter. From October every year, one-year-old oysters are brought up and sold along Pearl Road at rustic outdoor huts, which get packed with oyster-loving visitors. Although they sell the same oysters, they cook them quite differently. Start with all-you-can-eat self-grilled oysters and then try them fried, with rice, and even raw. These huts get terribly busy in the winter so be sure to make reservations before you go so that you’re not disappointed.

Anori Fishing Port (Anori fugu)

Another winter seafood dish that I heartily recommend is Anori fugu. Fans of Japanese food may recognize the word fugu, which means blowfish. Anori fugu is the local variety of blowfish, caught in the waters of Ise Bay centered around Anori Fishing Port. Because fishermen can only catch it in the winter, this is definitely the best time to try it. Yes, it’s a poisonous fish, but don’t worry. It is prepared exclusively by licensed chefs. It is served as a full course in many forms: raw as sashimi, boiled pieces with tangy ponzu dipping sauce, and crispy fried bites like karaage. Eating Anori fugu is not just a meal; it is a one-of-a-kind experience, making winter in Mie an epicurean adventure.

Yunoyama Onsen

Nestled at the foot of Mount Gozaisho, Yunoyama Onsen is a winter sanctuary. From ancient times, it is said that Japanese serows have bathed in the waters to heal their wounds, giving it the nickname Shika no Yu, or deer hot springs. People love to bathe there too, so along with old-fashioned Japanese ryokan, there are hotels, condominiums, and lodges with a variety of bathing facilities, including refreshing rotenburo (outdoor baths). Japanese hot springs are not just relaxing, they also have a number of health benefits. Filled with natural alkali, the radium spring is said to be good for the skin. It’s also known to be effective for nerve and digestive issues. After a long day of downhill and cross-country skiing or viewing the ice trees from the ropeway, warm yourself up in a restorative bath surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Wrap-up
Winter is a magical time of year in Japan and there’s no better place to experience it than Mie Prefecture, as I’m sure you’ll agree after reading about these five incredible places and experiences. For a winter escape that dazzles the eyes, delights the palate, and nourishes the soul, Mie Prefecture is your ultimate destination.