Mie三重県

Complex geographical features with an amazing cultured pearl industry. A balance of tradition and modern living.

Mie is situated in the center of Honshu, in the eastern part of the Kii-hanto Peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. It is narrow, and spreads down from north to south. Its complex geographical features create a variety of climates.

The southern coastline is an irregular and rugged saw-toothed coast. The eastern coastline is designated as Ise-Shima National Park, and is famous for cultured pearls, oysters and Ise lobsters, all made possible by the complex geographical features. The area designated as a natural park is more than one-third of the area of the entire prefecture, and is the second largest park area in Japan. There are many other scenic spots, including the Uga Valley in Suzuka Quasi-National Park, Doro Valley, and Akame Shiju-hattaki (forty-eight) Falls.

Ise-jingu Shrine, which has been lovingly bestowed the nickname "Oise-san," is also called simply "Jingu" (the Shrine). The sun goddess Amaterasu O-mikami is enshrined there. Over seven million worshippers visit the shrine each year. The Ninja Museum exhibits articles related to the Iga Ninja spies, who transformed mountain asceticism into the martial art 'Ninjutsu,' and handed it down to subsequent generations. The Shima Spain-mura Village (Parque Espana), a Spanish theme park, and the Suzuka Circuit, famous for F1 Grand Prix races are a part of many other attractions you should visit. Mie is a home to both the traditional and modern, and welcomes a ceaseless flow of visitors.