Visiting a Katana Swordsmith

Today, I had the opportunity to partake in some rare experiences. There is a katana swordsmith deep in the mountains of Kumano, who offers tours of his workplace and shares his knowledge about the katana making process. This tour is said to be...

Take an enlightening journey into the history of haiku in Iga City.

Haiku is a distinctive style of Japanese poetry that is known for its simple structure and the beautiful imagery it can evoke. One of the revered masters of haiku was Matsuo Basho, who was born in what is now Iga City in Mie Prefecture. Visitors w...

Explore the natural wonder and rich culture of Mie Prefecture on a two-day adventure.

The journey from Osaka to Mie Prefecture will take you into a completely different part of Japan. Over a two-day visit, you can hike the Hajikami-toge Pass on the World Heritage Site Kumano-kodo pilgrimage trails, relax in an outdoor onsen surroun...

Visit Ise Jingu and learn about a 1,300-year-old ritual at one of Japan’s most sacred spots.

Ise Jingu is a sacred space in Japan with 125 shrines and boasts an area roughly half the same size as Paris. For most Japanese people, a visit to Ise Jingu is something they must do at least once in their lifetime. Approximately 2,000 years ago, ...

Discover the secrets of the ninja at Iga Ueno Castle near where they originated from in feudal Japan

The ninja hold a special place in Japanese history and are known around the world as symbols of stealth and unconventional warfare. These mysterious spies of feudal Japan practiced the art of ninjutsu, which was developed in Iga (now Mie Prefectur...

Step into the past in the most well preserved post town on the route to Ise Jingu

For more than 1,000 years, Japanese people have been making the pilgrimage to Ise Jingu, the most sacred shrine in Japan. In the Edo Period, post towns were established along the Tokaido Road route between the ancient capital of Edo (now Tokyo) an...

Enter a fantasy world of pop culture where you can find all of your favorite characters.

At the Bankyo Figure Museum in Taki Town, Mie Prefecture, visitors can see over 20,000 figures from genres of Japanese pop culture, such as anime, manga and what is sometimes referred to as “Cool Japan”. For those in Japan who identify as “otaku”,...

Visit sacred Ise Jingu Shrine and explore traditional streets and shops in Okage Yokocho.

When Japanese people travel to Mie Prefecture,they usually visit Ise Jingu, the most sacred shinto shrine in Japan. Worshippers in Edo Period(1600-1868) felt it was necessary to make the journey and pray at the sacred shrine at least once in their...

Experience the beauty and tradition of ceramics at Banko no Sato Hall

Visitors to Banko no Sato Hall in Yokkaichi will have a chance to appreciate traditional Banko ware. This distinctive clay pottery has been crafted in Mie Prefecture for over 300 years and the tradition lives on in the showroom and hands-on experi...

KUMANO RIVER SANDANBO CRUISE AND MANDALA – SECRETS OF PILGRIMAGE - Follow an Ancient Pilgrimage Route on a Traditional Three-sail Boat and Visit a Sacred Shrine

The Kumano Kodo are a vast network of pilgrimage trails where visitors can travel on ancient routes that have been in use by Japanese travelers for over 1,000 years. On the Kii Peninsula between Kiho City in Mie Prefecture and Shingu City in Wakay...

OWASE POST TOWN PILGRIMAGE EXPERIENCE - Participate in Unique Drum-based Prayers and Sample Local Delicacies

Owase is a lively Edo-period town that was a post station (“Shukuba” in Japanese) on one of the traditional travel routes in ancient Japan. The post towns served as rest stops, providing accommodation, shops and more for travelers on their journey...

KII-NAGASHIMA FISHING TOWN PILGRIMAGE WALK/RELAXING WALK THROUGH FISHING VILLAGE - Soak Up the Atmosphere and Step Back in Time with Local Guides

The Kii-Nagashima district of Kihoku Town is a small Showa-era fishing village that is full of historical points of interest. Visitors can try many kinds of seafood caught by local fisherman, learn about the legend of Kappa and see a 1,000-year-ol...

Gourmet Mie Day 3 – Iga Ninja and Iga beef Sukiyaki（Article created by Cheeserland）

It wasn’t until day 3 that I have come to realized that Mie is really blessed with everything. How long can you stay in Mie until you get bored? The answer is… until you get sick of eating good food. Granted, I still believe that Tokyo has worl...

Gourmet Mie Day 2 – Divine Ise and Matsusaka beef（Article created by Cheeserland）

Read my Day 1 blog post here about abalone feast at Shima Peninsula. Mie Prefecture is blessed with the abundance of both treasures from the ocean and land. In my previous post we have had (actually just me, but it could soon be your experience...

Yokkaichi Nighttime Factory Views: the Glittery Gorgeous Side of Heavy Industry

The phenomenon of factories gaining popularity as nighttime sightseeing spots has brought tourists and photographers to many industrial areas in Japan. And it’s agreed that Yokkaichi City’s views are top tier. Walking through the area makes you fe...

Face-to-Face with the Real Diving Heroines of Ise Shima at Ama Hut Satoumian

As you’re probably well aware, Japan loves seafood. And not just the fish and octopus that we’re used to, but a whole plethora of marine life is down in the depths, digestible, delicious, and demanding to be harvested. Enter the Amasan.

Osatsu Beachside BBQ & Town Walk

Visit Osatsu in southern Mie and experience the beautiful and delicious AMA culture firsthand as you enjoy a BBQ next to the ocean and visit a historical shrine. You can also learn about the AMA culture at a small visitor’s center as well as arou...

Tokaido: Old Golden Route in Japan. Touring Sekijuku and Akari Candle Shop

It lies along the Tokaido, an ancient road that travelers of the past used to move between Kyoto and Edo (present day Tokyo). Towns like Sekijuku were vital places for trade and for weary travelers to get a bit of respite. I took my time strolli...