Dive into the Ninja World at Ninja Kingdom Ise!

One of the things popularly associated with Japan is ninja. In Japan there were several bases of real ninja (covert agents or mercenaries), who were most active during the feudal period from around the 16th-17th centuries, and the Iga area in Mie ...

Get to know the essence of bonito flakes, an indispensable ingredient in Japanese cuisine

Japanese food is attracting worldwide attention for its health benefits, and “dashi” is indispensable to its flavor. Dashi is usually made from dried kelp or dried bonito flakes. This time, we visited a long-established store in Mie that makes kat...

Matsusaka City and Momen：The Hottest Styles of the Japan of Yore Never Go Out of Fashion! Try on the Elegant Attire Made of Matsusaka Momen

We’re here to talk about “momen”. This is the extremely high quality cloth that really put Matsusaka on the map ages ago. We’ll tell you everything you need to know concerning momen. You can get suited up in a classic striped momen kimono.

Akame 48 Waterfalls：A group of beautiful waterfalls preserved by the locals

The Akame ravine in Mie Prefecture is well known for two reasons, having a large number of spectacular waterfalls and being the ancient ninja training ground in feudal Japan. Every season offers a different experience for visitors to the Akame 48 ...

The Spiritual Majesty of Ise Jingu： It’s the soul of Japan.

Ise Jingu is the most important Jingu in Japan. It’s here, among gigantic, old trees that Amaterasu-Omikami, the greatest of the kami(Shinto-deities), ancestor of the Imperial family, is permanently enshrined. It is a very spiritual place and the ...

Kumiko, the Art of Wood Joinery and Design, Carrying on Tradition to the Present

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Sashikan Tategu Kogei, which was founded in October 1932 in Komono Town, Mie Prefecture. Kanbe Kuroda, the first generation of the company, started running a “Sashimono-ya,” and gave the...

Hands-on Pearl Harvesting at the Pearl Workshop: Shinju no Sato

Pearl Workshop Shinju no Sato is located in a an offshoot of Ago Bay, in Shima, Mie Prefecture. Shima juts out into the Pacific Ocean, but the land around the bay protects it from typhoons, making it a great environment for Akoya oysters. This is ...

Explore Matsusaka’s Edo Period merchant houses and castle ruins in a kimono

Matsusaka is a city in Mie Prefecture where visitors can eat the famous local beef, see ancient castle ruins, learn about the area’s history at inviting museums and explore Edo Period（1603-1868） merchant shops while wearing traditional clothing....

Let’s experience life in Japan’s countryside and taste brand Wagyu beef in the natural and green Taiki Town. How about making it your second hometown?

"Farm Stay" is a program for visitors to stay and experience life in Japan’s countryside while enjoying the nature of Japan. The inn introduced this time is located at "Taiki Town, the best hometown village in Japan”, where visit...

Sizzling hot, wire-net grilled seafood is so delicious! Let's go to try the Amagoya (woman divers hut) experience!

Do you know what "Ama" is? Ama is a woman who dives into the sea and catches shellfish or seaweeds. Women divers are registered as Japan's Intangible Cultural Heritage and there are only a few places in Japan where there are women d...

Visiting Mie with your family: Experience the beauty and charm of life by the sea

As an island nation, Japan has many beautiful coastal areas where visitors can learn about the diverse creatures in the ocean, eat delicious seafood and enjoy hands-on tourism activities. Mie Prefecture offers tourists an incredible range of exper...

Learn the art of traditional kumihimo weaving at Kumi no Sato.

Kumihimo are traditional crafts that are made by braiding dyed silk thread into beautiful accessories. The colorful braids were historically used to fasten the obi (sash wrapped around the waist) of a kimono and as accessories on samurai armor. T...

Iga Ueno Castle: You Can Enjoy Castle and Ninja Experience in Japan

Iga Ueno Castle in Mie Prefecture, also known as White Phoenix Castle, stands atop massive fortifications overlooking the city. At the Danjiri Museum just outside Ueno Park, you can get a ninja outfit for your journey. In the castle, you’ll find a...

Lonely Princesses of the Lost Palace: Saiku

Up until my visit, I had actually never heard of Meiwa Town. Sandwiched right in between two well-known cities of great economical and historical importance – Matsusaka and Ise – this little town has somehow completely escaped mainstream tourists’...

Strolling in Living History in Matsusaka, Mie

Matsusaka has a long history of being a merchant and castle town. One amazing way to become a part of living history in this lovely city is to wear a traditional kimono and explore at your own pace, seeing beautiful architecture, views from the ca...

A change of pace in the daily life of a matcha farmer. You can enjoy a leisurely countryside experience at Kabusecha Cafe.

Suizawa-cho is located at the backroom of Yokkaichi city, called an industrial city, at the foot of Mt.Suzuka, and has Miyazuma Gorge, a scenic spot, writen by Sarumaru no Taifu, on the series Hyakunin Isshu. Kabusecha, produced in Mie prefecture...

Enter the ancient world of the ninja and experience history at Ninja Kingdom Ise

At Ninja Kingdom Ise, visitors will enter the intriguing world of the classic Japanese assassins. You will immerse yourself in another time while wearing a ninja costume and being surrounded by traditional buildings that were reconstructed in pain...

MIKISATO BEACH KAYAKING AND SHRINE PILGRIMAGE - Follow the Ancient Path of Edo Period Pilgrims by Kayak to Beautiful Asuka Shrine

Mikisato beach is a stretch of beautiful white sand that slopes into the clear blue waters of Kata Bay in Mie Prefecture. The protected waters of the bay are perfect for open water kayaking and, with the help of a guide, can be navigated by beginn...

Iga Kumihimo: the Long Tradition of the Braided Cord

Iga City in Mie Prefecture has so much to offer tourists. It’s known for everything from Haiku (Japanese poetry) to ninjas and beef. There’s a gorgeous castle with a large park around it and it’s just a nice, quiet town to escape to when your trip...

Igaryu Ninja Museum: Authentic Ninja Experience in Japan

Iga is a quiet town which embraces the ninja culture and history. Here you can learn about the true role of the most mysterious aspect of the land of the rising sun. The first part of the Ninja Museum experience is to take a tour through a traditi...