A total of 125 Shinto shrines belong to Ise Jingu, where more than 1,500 rituals are held each year. This combination of numerous sacred sites and recurring rituals offers a distinctive introduction to Mie Prefecture. The destination reveals other, markedly different sides as well: Kumano Kodo as a pilgrimage route, the landscapes of Ise-Shima National Park, and motorsports in Suzuka. Which themes you choose to focus on will shape the character of your discoveries.
Shrines and Pilgrimage Routes
Ise Jingu comprises 125 Shinto shrines, with Kotaijingu (Naiku) and Toyo'uke-daijingu (Geku) as its principal shrines. Kotaijingu (Naiku) is dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami, who has been worshipped there for about 2,000 years. More than 1,500 rituals take place at Ise Jingu each year. You can therefore focus on both of these shrines and on the religious significance of the complex as a whole.
The Meotoiwa Rocks also unite religious tradition and landscape: they belong to Futamiokitama Shrine and are linked by a sacred rope.
Kumano Kodo is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” This World Heritage Site was inscribed on July 7, 2004, and is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site of its kind in Mie Prefecture. Kumano Kodo Iseji runs along the eastern side of the Kii Peninsula and connects Ise Jingu with the three Kumano Sanzan shrines: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha. The World Heritage designation and the specific route of Iseji illustrate two different aspects of the pilgrimage-route theme.
Scenery on the Shima Peninsula and along the Kumanonada Sea
Ise-Shima National Park covers most of the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture. You can experience Ago Bay from the water by kayak or on a cruise ship. The Kinki Nature Trail offers a different way to connect with nature, passing beaches where loggerhead turtles nest. At 555 m, Mount Asama is the highest peak in the national park.
Onigajo is a striking coastal formation: the cliff, formed by geological uplift, erosion, and weathering, stretches for over 1 km along the Kumanonada Sea. Onigajo is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” At Onigajo, a walking trail connects Kumanokodo with Matsumoto-toge.
The Shima Peninsula has a transport network of bus, train, and boat connections to most of its major attractions. If you are looking for accommodation on the peninsula, this overview can help inform your plans. Check which connections suit the destinations you want to visit.
Motorsports and Experiences in Suzuka
SUZUKA CIRCUIT was built as Japan’s first full-size racing circuit. It hosts major races such as Formula 1 and the Suzuka 8 Hours. In addition to motor racing, SUZUKA CIRCUIT PARK offers attractions that visitors aged three and up can operate themselves. At Circuit Challenger, visitors drive an electric kart on the eastern half of the actual Suzuka Circuit Racing Course. The age specification applies to the park attractions; Circuit Challenger, by contrast, is defined by the section of the track mentioned above.
A Regional Specialty and a Guided Museum Experience
Matsusaka beef is a well-known type of Wagyu beef from Mie. Exceptional marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor characterize this regional specialty. It adds a culinary dimension to the cultural and scenic themes, without presupposing any particular tasting experience.
At the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum in Iga City, a ninja or kunoichi guides visitors through the Karakuri House. This adds a guided encounter with another cultural theme of Mie Prefecture to the experiences of shrines, pilgrimage routes, and nature.
Discover more destinations: Tsu, Kameyama, Yokkaichi, Shima, Toba, Ise, Suzuka, Mie District, Nabari, Iga, Kumano, Odai, Owase.
For the overview of destinations in Japan: Japan.
