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Mie is a prefecture in Japan's Kansai region, famous for its shrines, pearls, and cuisine. Explore its attractions, activities, culture, and food with Japan Travel Kansai's tips and reviews.
- TSU
Tsu is also home to Mie University, ranked the world’s 250th...
- Hinjitsukan
Nestled at the foot of lush forest covered mountains and...
- Tsumugiya Guesthouse
516-0009 Mie prefecture, Ise city Kawasaki 2 chome 4-11 ......
- Harvest Your Own Pearls
The first pearls (non-round pearls) from Ago Bay, in Mie...
- Miyagawa Tsutsumi Park Sakura Festival
From around late March to early April each year, Mie's...
- Ninja Noodles
Just off Route 25, some four kilometers from the Iga City...
- TSU
Mie Prefecture (Japanese: 三重県, Hepburn: Mie-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. [2] Mie Prefecture has a population of 1,781,948 (as of 1 June 2019 [update] ) and has a geographic area of 5,774 square kilometers (2,229 sq mi).
- 934,129
- 240,263
- 886,362
- 1,820,491
- Where to Stay in Mie
- My Favorite Things to Do in Mie
- How Many Days Should You Spend in Mie?
- FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Mie Prefecture
- The Bottom Line
One of the best ways to tackle the things to do in Mie I’m about to list efficiently is to stay close to a train station. Personally, I find Ise to be a really good base, as it’s halfway between Matsusaka and Toba, the two other cities I’m going to recommend you visit while you’re in Mie. My hotel of choice is the Sanco Inn just opposite Ise Statio...
Say a prayer at Ise Jingu
On one hand, Ise Jingu is the most important (and, in terms of land area, perhaps the largest) Shintoshrine in Japan. On the other hand, such sacred sites always leave me a little cold, what with their oppressive uniformity. A visit to Ise Jingu probably won’t change your life, or even impress you the way many less famous Japanese shrines (and, indeed, temples) will, but a walk through here on your first morning in Mie will set your soul aright before you start exploring.
Hunt for pearls in Toba
Your list of things to do in Mie really begins in Toba. Perched on the northern coast of the Shima peninsula just shy of its tip, Toba is home both to regionally famous attractions (Mikimoto Pearl Island and Toba Aquarium) as well as more obscure treasures, such as the string of grilled seafood shops (I’m a huge fan of the oysters at Kaiya) just south of the station. Do be aware that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see the traditional Ama pearl divers do their thing.
Taste delicious Matsusaka beef
Speaking of food, another place to dive into the culinary traditions of Mie is in Matsusaka, located about halfway between Ise/Toba and the provincial capital of Tsu. As to where you eat Matsusaka beef? The options are endless, as they are in Japan’s other famous beef destinations of Kobe and Takayama. I’ll give my endorsement to the humble Kairaku-tei, whose authentic hospitality and fair prices make it a standout.
Mie is at once a very large prefecture and one with a somewhat limited array of attractions for most travelers. I don’t say this last part to dismiss it. Rather, I want to hammer home that unless you decide to rent a car and explore Mie’s vast rural reaches, you don’t need a very long time here. In fact, if you plan primarily to do the things I’ve ...
What is Mie famous for?
Mie is most famous for being home to Ise Jingu, Japan’s most important Shintoshrine. Other reasons Japanese people (and a perilously small number of foreigners) know Mie include the pearl divers (and oysters!) of Toba, the beef of Matsusaka and the Ise lobster, which is actually closer to a langoustine.
How far is Mie prefecture from Tokyo?
Tokyo is about 400 km from Tsu, the capital of Mie prefecture, which requires about 5 hours of driving time. The fast way to reach Mie from Tokyo, keeping in mind that Mie doesn’t have an airport, is to ride the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya(100 minutes), then ride a Kintetsu Limited Express train from Nagoya to Tsu, Matsusaka, Ise or Toba (between 60-90 minutes).
Where is Shima located?
The Shima peninsula, where many of Mie prefecture’s most beautiful destinations, is located south of Nagoya, just before where Ise Bay empties into the sea. You can think of Shima as an eastward-reaching outgrowth of the Kii peninsula, which is occupied primarily by Nara and Wakayama prefectures, and is home to such attractions as Mt. Koya, Shirahama Beach and the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage.
I hope you feel as inspired by my Mie travel guide as I felt pumped up while writing this article. While Mie is an obscure part of Japan that takes some digging to appreciate, I have no doubt that you have the curiosity and perseverance within you to do it. Otherwise, I doubt you would’ve ended up here! I especially love visiting Mie on a weekend t...
Mie Prefecture is a popular destination with natural beauty, cultural heritage, and theme parks. Explore Ise Jingu, Kumano Kodo, ninja, pearls, and more in Mie.
Mie Prefecture is a region in Japan that includes the sacred Ise Shrines and the former ninja town of Iga Ueno. Find out more about its attractions, destinations, and travel tips on Japan-Guide.com.
Nov 6, 2016 · Mie has the typical weather patterns of central Honshu with hot, humid summers with temperatures in the prefecture usually topping 30 degrees Centigrade or more in July and August. The southern, coastal part of the prefecture has particularly high rainfall in the rainy season in June/July. Haiseiden, Ueno Castle Park, Iga Ueno, Mie, Japan
Aug 14, 2023 · Mie Prefecture is a hidden gem in the Kansai region of Japan, with over 1,000 kilometers of coastline, stunning countryside and sacred Ise Shrine. Discover 19 things to do in Mie, from thrilling roller coasters and flower parks to pearl museums and hot springs.
