Top 10 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Mie, Japan

When you think about the sightseeing spots in the Kinki region, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe are popular, but the Mie prefecture has actually many hidden sightseeing spots. In 2016, the Ise-Shima summit was held in the Mie prefecture, and then all of a sudden it gained name recognition domestically as well as internationally. I’m introducing the sightseeing spots which all together depict the fullness of its charms and which contribute to the growing popularity of the Mie prefecture.

1. The sightseeing spot in the Mie prefecture which all family member can enjoy! [Nagashima Spa Land]

The theme parks which you can enjoy yourself with your friends boisterously are not only the Tokyo Disney Land and the Universal Studio. This, Nagashima Spa Land is also recommended. It is an amusement park where you can enjoy not only the attractions but also swimming in the pool in summer and the Onsen facilities.

The most popular one is the 12 different types of Roller Coasters. The shouting- machine lovers can’t wait, can they? Even if you don’t like shouting-machines or you are with your small child, don’t worry. Other casual attractions have been prepared and the attractions for children have 28 types of them. It would be nice to set aside one day, apart from your sightseeing schedule for visiting the well-known places.

2. The sightseeing spot from where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the Edo-era [Okage Yokocho]

The Ise Shrine represents the Mie prefecture, but before going there, there is a place which you can enjoy with your friends or family. The [Okage Yokocho] has been created by reconstructing the street during the times when it was very busy and lively with people who paid a visit to the Ise Shrine.

At this [Okage Yokocho] where 60 shops are lined up next to each other, you can enjoy a meal, experience or buying souvenirs endlessly without getting bored. Why don’t you experience a feeling of the people who used to visit the Ise Shrine in the Edo-era, eating while walking with your friends or families? Please come and drop in at this street.

3. The sightseeing spot to learn about Japanese culture, Ninja! [Igaryu Ninja Museum]

Even though you have come all the way for sightseeing, unfortunately, it is raining. That happens sometimes. For such an occasion, if you know about a place where you can enjoy something inside, it is convenient, isn’t it? Iga in the Mie prefecture is famous for Ninja. At the [Igaryu Ninja Museum], you can learn about Ninja in detail.

There is not only the exhibition of what the Ninja used to use in the past, but also they explain about the devices of the trick house, demonstrating how to use them. You need to pay an additional cost though, the Ninja Show, using the throwing knife, chain scythe or sword is dynamic and popular. In the land of Ninja, you may learn about the secrets of Ninja.

4. There is no problem even if it rains! The sightseeing spot where you can meet the sea creatures in Mie [Toba Aquarium]

The [Toba Aquarium] is a 10-minute-walk from the Toba station. At this aquarium, the types of rearing these creatures is the largest in Japan and the dugong sea pig, black finless porpoise and sea otter are very popular. The facility is divided into 12 areas and about 1,200 exhibits, 30,000 creatures in total from the sea as well as the river have been exhibited in the reconstructed natural environment.

The Seal Show is also super popular. You can observe not only the creatures in the water but also a lot of other creatures such as the fishing cat and capybara. On a rainy day, you can make a day inside to be fascinated by the creatures.

5. As if it is an SF (science fiction) world! If you want to have a view of a night-view in the Mie prefecture, [Yokkaichi Industrial complex Night-view Cruise]

As you have come from far away for sightseeing, you want to enjoy not only the daytime but also the night time as well, don’t you? In such a case, I’d like to recommend the [Yokkaichi Industrial Complex]. Some people may say, “Why an industrial complex?”, but in Japan the [Night-view of factories] has been very popular since a little while ago.

During the daytime, they are like iron blocks, but at night, they cast the special lights and create the dreamy atmosphere. It makes you feel as if you are slipping into an SF novel. The Yokkaichi-city in the Mie prefecture is one of the leading industrial districts, so there are many people who are fascinated in the beautiful force-power. Why don’t you view the industrial night-view at your ease from the boat?

6. The sightseeing spot where you can see the beautiful illuminations [Nabana-no-sato]

If you are planning to visit the Mie prefecture for sightseeing during from mid-November to march, the illumination of the [Nabana-no-sato] is recommended. Normally, it is a botanical garden and in spring and summer, the huge site of 13,000-tsubo (42,900㎡) is in full bloom with beautiful flowers.

But in winter with less flowers, the flowers of the 6,000,000 ~ 7,000,000 LED lights will spread out and the tunnel of light will arouse your romantic feeling. Although there is no illumination from May to July, you can enjoy the dreamy lighting of fireflies at night. It is certain that it would be crowded during the Christmas season, but it’s a recommended place for spending the romantic time with your precious one viwing the grand sight.

7. Enjoy the walk up-in-the-air, feeling the seasons in Mie prefecture! [Gozaisho Ropeway]

The grand natural scenery which you can’t see in any other place is one of the real pleasures of sightseeing. When you want such a grand view of nature from the sky, the [Gozaisho Ropeway] is recommended. This ropeway of 216m in length will give you a 12-minute-journey in the sky to enjoy. From spring to summer, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms and fresh green leaves and from autumn to winter, the autumn colours and snowy scenery. Depending on the season the nature shows its different aspect, so no matter when you go, you can enjoy the season.

In winter, they have the night operation on limited days, so please check it out on their HP. When you want to feel the spreading nature beneath your feet, it is a wonderful sightseeing spot.

8. When you want to feel the nature all around you, this area is recommended! [Akame 48 taki]

When you want to go on a hike being enveloped by nature, the [Akame 48 taki] is recommended. There is a valley with the perfectly clear beautiful waterfalls and in the past it was the place of the ascetic practice for Ninja. At the entrance there is a museum where you can learn about the unique salamander.

If you can afford the schedule, you can select your favourite tour among various ones such as the Eco Tour which you can see the wild animals and plants in their natural forms, the Ninja ascetic practice experience course, the Adventure Tour in which you can go upstream as far as the source of the Akame valley. You can book them through their HP, so why don’t you experience the nature in various ways? When you are coming into contact with nature in the space where the Ninja had the ascetic practice a long time ago, you may feel as if you can come into contact with their feelings at that time.

9. The power spot which is spreading about in the Kii peninsula is recommended for sightseeing. [Kumanokodou]

Just like a local gourmet or spectacular scenery that only certain places can provide, recently, the power spots have become some of these special places. In Japan sice a long time ago, the road which has been used to pay a visit to the Kumano Shrine which has been considered to be a power spot is [Kumanokodou]. During the long history, many people from Emperors and aristocrats to the ordinary ones have worshipped and payed visits.

There are a few routes to get to the Ise Shrine, but in the case of going from the Mie prefecture, the [Iseji-route] is best. it has a route for beginners, taking 2-3 hours and a route for experts, taking more than 5 hours. Please choose one which will suit your condition. If you are anxious about going on your own, there are a few guided tours, so why don’t you join them?I recommend that you should wear your comfortable shoes (ideally, trekking boots), as the stone path stretches out. Please re-charge your mental strength, walking on the mysterious space enveloped with Mother Nature.

10. One of the representative shrines of Japan with a 2,000-year-history [Ise Shrine]

You can never ignore the Ise Shrine from the sightseeing spots in the Mie prefecture. This is the shrine in which the top god out of the all gods in Japan has been enshrined. Ise Shrine which is familiar to people with its nickname, “Oise-san” has a 2,000-year-history. It has 2 large shrines, one is called Gegu (the outer shrine of the Ise Grand Shrine) and Naiku (the inner shrine of the Ise Grand Shrine). If you have enough time, please go to Gegu first to pray as it is the formal way to visit this shrine.

The precinct is large and there are many mysterious stones and trees apart from the shrines. It is the place where you can feel a miracle power even only when you are walking through the site. As the gravel path is stretching out, please don’t forget to put on your comfortable shoes. On the holy place of the Japanese god, you may experience a feeling of being soothed.

Let’s go to the recommended sightseeing spots in the Mie prefecture!

I’ve introduced the recommended sightseeing spots in the Mie prefecture. There might be some places of which you’ve already heard, but you might not have recognised that they are in the Mie prefecture. They are all for people who have done everything in Kyoto or Osaka, people who want to visit calm places, not some major sightseeing spots or people who simply love the Mie prefecture. Why don’t you keep them in mind as a site proposed for your next trip?