Feel the living Japanese culture in real life.

A quick guide to the highlights of Mie

A town where Ama divers live -Ama fishing that has been protected since ancient times-

The Toba/Shima area is home to the largest number of Ama divers in Japan. Catch shellfish and seaweed such as abalone and turban shells by free diving for about 50 seconds. The reason why the ama fishing method has continued since ancient times is because everyone has firmly kept the promises to ensure that the ama do not become eradicated, such as not catching fish until they are big enough. It is a traditional fishing method that is kind to nature and shows gratitude for the blessings of the sea.

Along the beach, there is AmaHut（Amagoya）where the ama divers can take a rest. The `` AmaHut（Amagoya）experience,'' where you can eat seafood while listening to stories from Ama divers who are still active today, is popular. You can have the fresh seafood grilled in the hearth by professional seafood divers, so you can eat it at the perfect timing and at its most delicious. The ever-smiling Ama divers will tell you many interesting stories about their fishing experiences and how to eat each ingredient deliciously. It's popular, so make your reservations early.

At MikimotoPearlIsland, where the world's first cultured pearls were born, ama diving demonstrations are held to commemorate the role of ama divers in the cultivation of pearls, and visitors can see divers wearing traditional white isogi while catching shellfish. can be seen.
As a festival for divers, ShirongoFestival is held every July on Sugashima in TobaCity. It is said that at the Ama Festival, divers from all over the island compete to catch male and female pairs of abalone at the same time at the sound of conch shells, and the woman who catches first becomes the head diver for the year, and is guaranteed a bountiful catch.

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The town that gave birth to the Iga ninja -Exploring the hometown of ninjas in Iga-

Iga is the hometown of the Iga ninja, who were active all over Japan. NinjaMUSEUMofIgaryu (Ninja House), where a kunoichi (female ninja) will guide you through a karakuri mansion, is a must-visit spot when you come to Iga-Ueno. He will explain things like donden gaeshi, trick doors, hiding things, etc. with demonstrations. The impressive ninja show using real ninja tools and ninjutsu experiences such as throwing shuriken are also popular.

You can also see people dressed in ninja costumes walking around Iga Ueno Castle and its surroundings. If you change into a ninja costume at the Ninja Transformation Center and walk around the castle town, you'll be able to take lots of memorable photos of your Iga-esque trip. Iga Ueno itself is a picturesque town, including Teramachi Street, which has white temple walls. It's also fun to come across gourmet food and goods related to ninjas during your stroll.

TheAkame48Falls in Nabari is said to be the place where Iga ninjas trained, and ``ninja experience training'' is held there. Challenge yourself to practice attack techniques using ninja tools such as shurikens and blowguns, and the technique of crossing a river without getting wet! After training, enjoy ``Ninjutsu Nabe.'' This is a traditional dish inspired by the Iga ninja's way of staying warm and replenishing nutrients, and is a famous hot pot that uses a wide variety of ingredients and several sauces to transform in your mouth like a ninja trick.

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Monzen town, post town, castle town - Walking around retro town -

Mie Prefecture still has many traditional townscapes. Enjoy local food and souvenir hunting while strolling through scenery that will make you feel like you've traveled back in time.

Okage-yokocho, located in the middle of the temple town of IseJingu Jingu Shrine, is a reconstruction of buildings from the Edo and Meiji eras, when the Ise pilgrimage boom began. It's fun to eat the famous Akafukumochi mochi and Ise-Udon, and look for cute lucky souvenirs such as Okage dogs and beckoning cats.

I would like to visit Kawasaki and Matsusaka as part of a visit to Ise. Kawasaki, a 5-minute bus ride from IseJingu IseCity Station, the closest station to Ise Jingu, is a warehouse town that once flourished as a wholesaler district. Merchant houses with white plaster walls and warehouses with thick blackboard walls remain, and there are cafes and restaurants that have been renovated from old warehouses.

Matsusaka, also a 10-minute train ride from IseCity Station by Kintetsu Limited Express, is a castle town with more than 10 samurai residences. You can rent a kimono from MatsusakaCotton, a fashion brand from the Edo period, and enjoy walking around town feeling like an Edo native. Of course, there are plenty of restaurants where you can eat authentic Matsusaka beef and directly managed stores where you can buy it at reasonable prices.

Sekijuku which flourished as the 47th post town on the 53 stations of Tokaido, is also photogenic. The townscape, which retains traces of the Edo period with its lattice windows, plastered walls, and hand-painted signboards, has been designated as a nationally important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings. The sheer scale of the town, with more than 200 remaining townhouses, is impressive!

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