Travelling in Mie: Places to Go, Getting Around and Sample Plans

Mie suits travellers who want Japan's Shinto roots and local life without going far from the big cities. The prefecture sits between Nagoya and Kyoto-Osaka, with industrial cities in the north and the Shima Peninsula of complex bays in the south. Ise Grand Shrine is regarded as Japan's most important shrine, and large numbers of Japanese pilgrims visit through the year. The Iga region is a traditional ninja home that families enjoy.

Who it suits and how many days to allow

Two days and one night suits Ise and Toba. Three days and two nights adds Iga or the Kumano region in the south. Five days or more suits walking part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes or visiting Suzuka Circuit. It fits people interested in religion, nature, local food and scenic trains, and is less suited to those wanting big-city shopping.

Best time to go and weather

Mie faces the Pacific and stays mild through the year. Spring brings cherry blossom and autumn colours the forests and hills. Summer is hot and humid with rain in the wet season, and late summer into autumn can see typhoons that delay ferries and trains. Ise Shrine is extremely crowded around New Year, so for a calmer visit choose a weekday outside festival periods.

Getting there and getting around

From Nagoya and Osaka, Kintetsu trains run to Ise-shi Station, the gateway to the Geku shrine. The Shimakaze limited express is a sightseeing train with comfortable seats that runs on to Kashikojima. From Ise-shi or Uji-Yamada station, take a bus or walk on to the Naiku. For Iga, take the Iga Railway from Iga-Ueno Station. In the Shima zone you rely on the Shima line and local buses, which are infrequent.

Must-see places

• Ise Grand Shrine, Naiku and Geku: the main shrines set in old forest, with the Uji Bridge over the Isuzu River.
• Okage Yokocho and Oharai-machi, Edo-style streets of food and souvenirs in front of Naiku.
• Toba: Mikimoto Pearl Island, Toba Aquarium and the ama divers on the coast.
• Meoto Iwa at Futami: a pair of rocks joined by a sacred rope in the sea.

Lesser-known stops

In Iga, Iga-Ueno has a castle and a ninja museum with demonstrations, well suited to families. In the south the prefecture holds part of the Kumano Kodo, the Iseji route, an old pilgrimage trail for forest walkers, along with nature sites such as Onigajo and Maruyama Senmaida that take a good while to reach from main stations. Leave generous time.

Areas to know

Food and souvenirs

Mie is known for Matsusaka beef, one of Japan's famed beef brands. Seafood from the Ise-Shima area, such as Ise spiny lobster and oysters, is also well known. Ise udon, with soft noodles and a dark sauce, and Akafuku mochi, the sweet traditionally sold near the shrine, are worth trying. Popular souvenirs include mochi sweets, Toba pearls and local tea.

Sample budget

The main costs are Kintetsu fares, lodging and meals. Eating Matsusaka beef or lobster costs far more than a typical meal. Accommodation in Ise-Shima includes guesthouses, hotels and ryokan, with prices varying greatly by season. Special rail tickets for visitors usually have particular conditions, so check actual prices and terms on the Kintetsu and accommodation sites before booking.

Short sample plan

1. Day 1: Kintetsu from Nagoya or Osaka to Ise-shi, visit the Geku shrine and eat Ise udon.
2. Day 2: Naiku, Okage Yokocho, then Toba for Meoto Iwa and a coastal stay.
3. Day 3: Pearl Island or the aquarium in Toba, then back to Nagoya or Osaka.

In rural and coastal areas the signal can be unreliable, so having data for timetables, maps and menu translation helps a lot. An eSIM set up before the trip works from the first station.

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