10 things to see in Mie Prefecture

Meoto Iwa rocks - Mie prefecture

Meoto Iwa rocks - Mie prefecture

Mie prefectural government

A la découverte de la préfecture la plus sacrée du Japon

Célèbre pour ses temples de toute beauté, Mie est l’une des préfectures les plus sacrées du Japon. Entre ses lieux de culte dédiés à la déesse du soleil Amaterasu, ses cascades d’eau miraculeuse, et ses chemins de traverse, cette petite préfecture du sud du Kansai fait en effet partie des destinations préférées des Japonais en matière de pèlerinage. Mais ce sont surtout ses paysages à couper le souffle qui l’ont érigé au rang de "berceau spirituel du pays", de véritables cartes postales où les forêts sont habitées par les dieux, et où les plages bordées de perles sont le terrain de jeu favori des dernières sirènes du Japon. Afin découvrir ce joyau trop peu connu, Japan Experience vous présente aujourd’hui 10 choses à voir dans la fascinante préfecture de Mie. Saurez-vous en percer tous les mystères ?

Naiku, at the Ise shrine

Naiku, at the Ise shrine

Wikimédia

2. Okage Yokocho (Ise)

Not far from Ise Jingu is Okage Yokocho, a traditional alley of 50 shops and restaurants that transports visitors back in time to the days when houses were made of wood and the Japanese never went out without a kimono.

Address: Mie, Ise, Ujinakanokiri-cho 52

Hours: The first shops open at 9:30 a.m.

Itinerary : 15 minutes by bus from Kintetsu Iseshi station (Yamada, Sangu lines)

Okage Yokocho

Okage Yokocho

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3. Meoto Iwa (Ise)

Off the coast of Futami Okitama Shrine is Meoto Iwa, two sacred stones 9 and 4 meters high connected by a shimenawa (a sacred rope made of rice straw). In June, the site attracts many visitors when the sun rises right between the two rocks, especially couples that Meoto Iwa is popular during the year. The two stones symbolizing a couple united by the bonds of marriage, it is said that anyone who visits to admire them will be lucky in love!

Address: Mie, Ise, Futami-Cho, E 575

Hours: Every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Directions: 15 min walk from Futamiura station (Sangu line)

The "married couple rocks" of Meoto Iwa

The "wedding rocks" of Meoto Iwa, united by a Shinto rope, a place of worship in the Ise region.

Wikipedia

4. Mikimoto Pearl Island (Toba)

Located off Toba Bay, Mikimoto Island has been famous for its pearls since the late 19th century. Here you can admire the technique of the Ama divers, the last keepers of an ancestral diving secret in Japan, and explore the history of these water gems at the Pearl Museum.

Address: Mie, Toba, Toba 1-7-1

Itinerary: A few minutes walk from Toba station (Sangu, Kintetsu Toba lines)

Mikimoto Pearl Island on the Shima Peninsula

Mikimoto Pearl Island in the Shima Peninsula.

Ago bay

Ago bay

Wikimédia

6. The paths of Iseji (Kumano)

The Iseji Paths constitute the eastern part of the Kumano pilgrimage. They follow the Kii Peninsula, taking birth in the sacred shrines of Ise, and take pilgrims to discover pretty mountain landscapes interspersed with beaches and bamboo forests until they arrive at the Shinto shrine of Kumano Sanzan.

Starting point: Ise Jingu (Mie, Ise, Ujitachi-cho 1 (Naiku))

Average length: 10 towns, 170 km.

On the paths of Iseji

On the paths of Iseji

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7. Maruyama Senmaida (Kumano)

With its 1340 small rice fields arranged on terraces, Maruyama Senmaida is considered one of the most beautiful rice-growing sites in the country, if not the most beautiful. It is possible to admire the work of local farmers and even participate in some workshops on rice!

Address: Mie, Kumano, Maruyama

Itinerary: 30 minutes by car from Kumanoshi station (Kisei, Nanki lines)

The puzzle of rice fields is inscribed in the rocks.

The paddy field puzzle is inscribed in the rocks

KIWACHIIKI

Akame waterfalls

Akame waterfalls

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9. The hot springs of Sakakibara (Tsu)

Warming hearts and bodies for over 1,000 years, the Sakakibara Onsen is one of Mie Prefecture's most prestigious drop-offs. Located two hours from Ise, east of the small town of Tsu, these hot springs are particularly famous for their clear and miraculous water (they say). The waters are said to be good for firming the skin and fighting rheumatism!

Address: 5824-1 Sakakibaracho, Tsu, Mie 514-1251

Hours: Every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Itinerary: 1 hour by bus from Tsu station (Kintetsu limited express line)

Sakakibara onsen

Sakakibara onsen

Matcha-jp.com

Nabana no Sato

Nabana no Sato

Wikimédia