Into the Mountain! A Quest for Hot Springs via Kumano’s Torokko Train!

The quiet mountain town of Kumano City is most famous for the Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage trail that leads to various shrines in Mie and Wakayama prefectures. Completing the pilgrimage is nothing short of a spiritual quest. But Kumano City ...

Hinjitsukan and Meoto Iwa: A Froggy Stroll Along the Coast of the Ise Bay

Ise City, along the coast of the Ise Bay, is home to a plethora of stunning sights and experiences, all steeped in ancient Japanese mythology and Shinto mysticism. I took a train down to quaint Futaminoura Station one evening to have a look around...

Tokaido Seki-Juku Festival in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture

Step into Seki-Juku and back in time and a whole bunch of excitement as you wander up and down this traditional rest stop on the old Tokaido. Experience delicious snacks and food while enjoying the beautiful floats, costumes and buildings. Seki-...

Cycling and Sailing Around Shima

Blue skies, a gentle ocean breeze and panoramic views of the shore make for a fantastic cycling tour! Riding along the shore is perfect for beginner to intermediate cyclists who want to enjoy the beautiful Shima area! Crossing back and forth over...

Special Campaign in Mie Makes For Fun Trip in Kumano

My recent trip to Kumano, Mie Prefecture turned out to be as great as I hoped, but also ended up being a little sweeter than I had expected. I discovered Mie's special campaign that gives away all sorts of treats and discounts for participating i...

Ise-Shima-A breathtaking view and a new perspective-Yokoyama Observatory, breathtaking views of Ago Bay from atop the impressive Mount Yokoyama!

Come along with me on a journey to the top of one of the most famed lookouts in west-ern Japan. I will make my way to the top of Mount Yokoyama and take in the view of the spectacular Ago bay. The observation deck atop the mountain has been revamp...

Eating Great Food on Okage Yokocho, and Enjoying Authentic Shopping Street in Japan.

Along Okage Yokocho, you’ll find a plethora of unique Japanese dishes not found anywhere else. Not to mention, a very fun and lively atmosphere that’s sure to be unforgettable. You can create your own memorable experiences along Okage Yokocho.

The 48 waterfalls of Akame, Ninja training experience - Let’s take a trip back in time

I was so excited about going on the hike and participating in the different ninja challenges. I felt like a kid in a candy store, and was unable to sleep the night before due to all of the excitement.

Aquaignis, the place with amazing bread, cake, meals, and hot spring! What about a luxurious day in this integrated resort with hotels?

Aquaignis, the super-hot spot in Komono-cho, Mie prefecture. From star chef Hironobu Tsujiguchi’s mouth-watering desserts to natural pure Kataoka hot spring, it’s the integrated resort with glamour of “heart-healing” and “cuisine”. It’s perfect ...

Suzuka Circuit, at where to experience the true, real car race! Full if energy and healing!

You may have heard of the term “F1” while have you ever been to a real circuit? “Suzuka Circuit” is, of course, a spot for car lovers, but it’s also for the great, various amazement of motor sports of all! Authentic F1 exhibition, attraction rid...

Experience the original ninja arts at the Ninja Museum of Igaryu! Go and meet up the energetic Ninjas!

If you are thinking of meeting true, real ninja, you should never miss Ninja Museum of Igaryu! There you can visit real ninja houses with detailed explanation from our ninja staff, see the well-preserved and well-arranged historical ninja exhibits...

Protecting and sharing the natural beauty of Ugakei Valley in Inabe, Mie, and making the outdoors a place to learn about environmental conservation

Ugakei is a gorge located in the city of Inabe, Mie Prefecture featuring a lush natural landscape with spectacular mountains and waterfalls, as well as being home to a wide variety of plant life. Here, you enjoy the nature at Ugakei through campin...

The free-diving Ama of the Toba and Shima area personify an ancient local culture characterized by a determination to coexist with the ocean, “now and forever.”

Ise-Shima is a vast national park with verdant nature and beautiful ria coastlines. The area has a thriving fishing industry, particularly in the cities of Toba and Shima. Noteworthy is the tradition of ama, female divers who free dive for their c...

World Heritage Site Kumano Kodo Iseji. Nature worship and beautiful cultural landscapes existing for over a millennium continue to be passed on to future generations

The Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage route to the three grand shrines of Kumano, known as the Kumano Sanzan, which are sacred sites with rich histories. Valuable cultural landscapes have been preserved along the Kumano Kodo Iseji route, which connects ...

Understanding true “sustainability” as demonstrated by Ise Jingu’s 2000-year-old traditions

With a history spanning about two millennia, Ise Jingu is intrinsically linked to the culture and soul of Japan. Beloved by many people across Japan, the shrine is often referred to by the honorific epithet, “Oise-san.” At Ise Jingu, officially “J...

Telling the story of Sekijuku: a stunning, historical post town where a rich lifestyle, blessed by nature has been woven through the ages

Sekijuku, located in the city of Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, is one of the 53 post towns along the Tokaido that flourished during the Edo period (1603–1867), with its historic townscape designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Tra...

Considering the Future of a Satoumi Intertwined with People’s Lives through Pearls Created in Ago Bay, Shima City

Ago Bay is located in the southern part of Shima City within Ise-Shima National Park. Amid the rich natural environment, aquaculture is actively conducted in its waters. Among its offerings, Ago Bay is a major production area for pearls, which hav...

From Kumano City to the Kumano Kodo: An Abundance of Natural Wonders

The area around Kumano City is packed with incredible things to see and do, from the ancient cobblestone hiking trails of Kumano Kodo to the unusual Onigajo rock formations, to Japan’s oldest shrine, Hana no Iwaya Shrine, and the must-see Maruyama...

The Top 5 Must-Have Souvenirs from Mie

If you’re visiting Mie Prefecture, you’re definitely going to want something to take home to remember your trip. But with an almost unlimited number of amazing souvenirs to choose from, where do you even start? With that in mind, I’ve listed the t...

Exploring the Roof of Mie at the Gozaisho Ropeway

Mt. Gozaisho is a fantastic winter destination to experience authentic snowy scenery that is easy to reach from both Osaka and Nagoya. It is the closest snowcapped mountain to Nagoya offering glistening white snow and winter activities such as ski...