2026.01 Exploring Japan’s Traditions and Cuisine in Mie: A Journey to Remember[PR]
Spectacular Sights and Culture Shaped by Shima’s Sea
Viewing the Scenic Beauty of Ago Bay
Ago Bay’s calm blue waters wind through the coastline in layered curves, as if brushed onto the landscape by an artist’s hand. From the Yokoyama Observatory situated 140 meters above sea level, the sweeping panorama is one of Shima’s must-see sights. Nearly 60 small islands dot the bay, and the shimmering light dancing across the water’s surface offers visitors a soothing view. On clear days, sunlight pours over the water, bathing the entire bay in a brilliant glow that feels as though it illuminates even the soul.
At the attached Yokoyama Tenku Café Terrace Mirador Shima, favorites include the fragrant Shima Soft Cream infused with the aroma of Ise Hojicha (roasted tea), and the vibrant Tenku Tropical Soda. Packed with pineapple, passion fruit, mango, and nata de coco, the soda pairs its fruity sweetness with a refreshing fizz, made all the more delicious when sipped while looking out over the glittering sea.
Treasure Hunt: Find Your Own Pearl
Another gift born from Shima’s waters is the pearl. At Pearl Miki, you can experience extracting a pearl yourself from an Akoya oyster cultivated in Ago Bay, an encounter that feels like touching the mysteries of the sea. As you gently open the shell you chose, the moment a small, lustrous pearl emerges is a quiet thrill—a treasure all your own. The pearl you discover can be crafted into a uniquely personal keepsake, such as a necklace or keychain, to take home.
Experience Ama Diving Culture and Breathtaking Views
In Shima, you can also experience Ama diving culture, a way of life that has been closely intertwined with the sea for centuries. At Ama Hut Satoumian, a special moment awaits: active Ama women divers grilling fresh seafood over a traditional hearth right before your eyes. Choose a luxurious course featuring Ise-Ebi lobster and abalone, or try a set with “arare,” a beloved snack among local fishermen. Surrounded by the aroma of the sea and the warm smiles of the divers, you can savor the ocean’s bounty with all five senses. Transcending words, such warmth becomes a memorable moment that lingers long after your journey.
A Luxurious, All-Inclusive Hotel Stay to Soothe Travel Fatigue
Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa
As night gently falls, the Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa welcomes travelers from its perch atop a hill overlooking Matoya Bay. With the lingering echoes of Shima’s sea and culture in your heart, you can unwind slowly and without worry at this all-inclusive resort, where everything from meals and drinks to activities is covered, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Shima’s natural beauty.
Guest rooms offer sweeping views of the tranquil sea shaped by the rias coastline. Connecting rooms are available for families, ensuring everyone enjoys a comfortable and relaxed stay. Soak in the waters of Shin-Misato Onsen, a hot spring known since ancient times for its therapeutic qualities. Amid the rising steam, feel the gentle embrace of nature as your skin becomes soft and nourished.
Dinner is a buffet celebrating the bounty of Mie. Delight in local specialties such as Matsusaka beef shabu-shabu prepared at the live cooking station, shell-on simmered abalone, Ise sea bream sashimi, and Ise tea croquettes. Afterward, unwind in the lounge with a glass of wine or a local beer in hand while enveloped in soft lighting—a tranquil moment that gently concludes a day of exploration and discovery.
Experience Japan’s Sophistication and Beauty in Matsusaka
Strolling in Kimono Through Historic Streets
Travel north from Shima to Matsusaka, a castle town where tradition and gourmet delights thrive. Here, experiences that let you feel Japan’s refined aesthetic and spirit of hospitality firsthand await.
Begin with the Utsukushiya Walking Tour, where you’ll don a Matsusaka cotton kimono and stroll through the charming streets in traditional zori sandals. Matsusaka cotton, with its elegant indigo-and-white stripes, is a high-quality fabric that became highly popular during the Edo period (1603-1867) as the “latest fashion from Edo” (modern-day Tokyo). Have your kimono expertly fitted at Utsukushiya, then wander through the Gojoban-yashiki area, where yew plum pine hedges and stone-paved paths make it feel as if time itself were slowly rewinding.
Depending on your preference, you can also enjoy guided tours of the historic district or food-tasting walking tours along the shopping streets. These tours offer plenty of photo-worthy moments and a chance to experience Japanese culture up close.
Savoring Japan’s Pride: Matsusaka Beef
After a long walk, indulge in Matsusaka’s prized culinary treasure: Matsusaka beef, celebrated locally as one of the highest grades of Wagyu alongside Kobe and Omi beef. At Gyugin Honten, you can savor it as “sukiyaki”—thinly sliced beef simmered in a sweet soy broth—or as “amiyaki”, grilled over a traditional wire mesh. Enjoy your meal in charming tatami rooms that have been in use since the Meiji era. The moment the premium meat melts on your tongue and releases its sweetness is pure bliss. Dining amid the warmth of traditional Japanese architecture feels as if you have stepped into a historical scroll.
Relax with Matcha Sweets
Mie Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading tea-producing regions. At the Japanese tea cafe Shinryoku Sabo, directly run by tea farmers, you can enjoy authentic Japanese tea and matcha sweets. Here, staff members carefully explain how to brew deep-steamed sencha green tea (fukamushi sencha), a method that develops mellow umami and rich depth through prolonged steaming. Savor the evolving aroma and flavor with each infusion—first, second, third—while enjoying elegantly crafted matcha sweets, and immerse yourself in a moment of Japanese tranquility. Infused with Japanese aesthetics, this “cup of healing” quietly colors memories of your travels.
The Ise and Toba areas of Mie Prefecture are conveniently accessible via two airports: Chubu Centrair International Airport and Kansai International Airport. From Osaka, Kyoto, or Nagoya, you can easily reach the region by train. From Tokyo, you can travel via Nagoya on the Shinkansen bullet train or opt for an overnight highway bus.
Related Links
Official Website |
| URL:https://visitmie-japan.travel/en/ |
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| URL:https://www.instagram.com/visitmie/ |
Mirador Shima at Yokoyama Observatory |
| URL:http://mirador.puebloamigo.jp/en/ |
Ama Hut Satoumian |
| URL:https://satoumian.com/en |
Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa |
| URL:https://grand-mercure-iseshima-resortandspa.jp/en/ |
Utsukushiya Walking Tour (Matsusaka Cotton Experience) |
| URL:https://www.iseshima-kanko.jp/en/see-and-do/2952 |
Gyugin Honten |
| URL:https://www.gyugin-honten.co.jp/ |
