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A Beach to Enjoy All Day Long 🌅: Koushirahama Koushirahama is a stunning coastal stretch celebrated for its powdery white sand and the sea's ever-shifting hues. Facing the vast Pacific Ocean, this wide beach transforms beautifully throughout the day — watch a spectacular sunrise break over the horizon in the morning, then unwind in the soft, golden light of a tranquil evening. On a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance 🗻 — and come New Year's, crowds gather here to witness the very first sunrise of the year, a beloved Japanese tradition. What's your favorite time of day to visit Koushirahama? ✨ Thank you to ＠o572andy for the beautiful photo! ✨ 🚉By Public Transportation It takes about 15 minutes by bus from Ugata Station on the Kintetsu Shima Line 🚗By Car About 30 minutes from Shiraki IC #Koushirahama #Beach #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

A Breathtaking Beach of White Sand and Blue Water 🌊 : Koushirahama Nestled in Shima City, Mie Prefecture, Koushirahama is a gorgeous stretch of coastline where powdery white sand meets the brilliant blue of the Pacific Ocean. The beach curves gracefully for about 3 kilometers, with shallow, calm waters that shift from crystal-clear turquoise near the shore to a deep, rich cobalt further out. To the south, a lush pine forest edges the beach, adding a beautiful contrast to the scenery — the kind of view that practically begs to be photographed. 📸 With consistent waves rolling in year-round, Koushirahama is also a well-loved surf spot. 🏄 Whether you're here to ride the waves or simply unwind by the water, this beach delivers on every front. 🚉By Public Transportation It takes about 15 minutes by bus from Ugata Station on the Kintetsu Shima Line 🚗By Car About 30 minutes from Shiraki IC #Koushirahama #Beach #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

The Central Shrine Among Many Japanese Shrines ⛩️: Ise Jingu With a history spanning roughly 2,000 years, Ise Jingu is dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami — the ancestral deity of the Imperial Family. For centuries, the Japanese have held the saying: "At least once in your lifetime, make the pilgrimage to Ise." In the old days, devoted worshippers would walk for days, sometimes crossing vast distances, just to stand before this sacred ground. It is, in every sense, a place unlike any other in Japan. Most recently, Ise Jingu was named one of TIME Magazine's World's Greatest Places 2026 — a recognition that has drawn fresh global attention to this timeless destination. 🌍 The shrine complex is vast, made up of 125 Shrines centered on two main sanctuaries: the Kotaijingu (Inner Shrine) and the Toyouke Daijingu (Outer Shrine). The structures are built from unadorned Japanese cypress, embodying a quiet, elemental beauty. Once every 20 years, they are completely rebuilt in a sacred ritual known as Shikinen Sengu, when the sacred object is ceremonially transferred, ensuring that the shrine is perpetually renewed and pure. Whether you come to pray or simply to walk the forested approach paths, you'll notice something shift in the air. The stillness has a way of settling the mind. 🍡 After Your Visit Just outside Kotaijingu, the charming streets of Okage Yokocho and Oharai-machi await — lined with traditional shops, local eateries, and souvenir stores. Don't leave without trying Ise udon noodles, a local specialty, as you stroll through the beautifully preserved historic streetscape. ✨ 🚉By Public Transportation From Kintetsu/JR Iseshi Station or Kintetsu Ujiyamada Station, take a bus or taxi to Kotaijingu — approximately 10–20 minutes. 🚗By Car Approximately 4 minutes from the Ise IC interchange. #IseJingu #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

Head to Oharaimachi after a Visit to Ise Jingu Ise Jingu is widely regarded as Japan’s most prestigious shrine. For centuries, people have said that everyone should visit Ise Jingu at least once in their lifetime, making it an essential stop when visiting Mie Prefecture. After your visit to this revered site, take some time to explore the surrounding area. Oharaimachi, just outside the Kotaijingu (Inner Shrine), is a charming stone-paved street stretching about 800 meters. Along the street are rows of traditional gabled and gable-front townhouses, and no matter where you walk, you'll see distinctly Japanese scenery at every turn. Lined up on the street are souvenir shops and local eateries, making it ideal for casual food tasting and shopping. Be sure to try regional specialties like Akafuku mochi (soft rice cakes topped with smooth red bean paste), Ise udon (thick, soft noodles), and tekone sushi (vinegared rice topped with marinated fish). Pair your visit to Ise Jingu with a stroll through the lively streets of Oharaimachi. ✨ Thank you to @tomokotoamu for the beautiful photo! ✨ 🚉By Public Transportation Take a bus from JR or Kintetsu Iseshi Station and get off at Jingu Kaikan-mae. 🚗By Car About 7 minutes from Ise IC #IseJingu #Oharaimachi #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

A Central Setting in Japanese Mythology: Amano Iwato Amano Iwato in Shima City, Mie Prefecture, is a noted place of power regarded as one of the settings of Japanese mythology. According to myth, the sun goddess Amaterasu once hid in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. Amano Iwato is one of the sites linked to that legend. 🌲Highlights Today, the site sits in a tranquil setting, surrounded by dense forest and a clear river. Step inside and the air itself seems to shift, creating a quiet, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Fresh water flowing from the cave has been designated one of Japan’s 100 famous waters. Visitors can also cleanse their hands by the river and enjoy a peaceful moment in nature. Amano Iwato is about 20 minutes by car from Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s most important shrines, making it easy to visit alongside it. This connection to Amaterasu, who is enshrined at Ise, makes the combination especially meaningful. 🚉By Public Transportation Take a bus from Kintetsu or JR Iseshi Station, or Kintetsu Ujiyamada Station—about 25 minutes. 🚗By Car About 25 minutes by car from Ise IC. #AmanoIwato #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

Top 3 Cherry Blossom Spots in Mie Prefecture From late March through mid-April, cherry blossoms reach their peak across Mie Prefecture. Here are three Mie's most celebrated spots — including ones recognized among Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Sites. Not to be missed! 🌸 Mitake Cherry Blossoms A beloved destination renowned for its wild mountain cherry trees (Yamazakura). Around 400 trees line a 1.5 km section of the temple's approach, forming a breathtaking tunnel of blossoms. The reflection of the cherry trees in the neighboring rice paddies adds an extra layer of charm to this picturesque scene. 📆 Best viewing period: Early April – Mid-April 📍 Approximately 10 minutes by municipal bus from Ise-Okitsu Station (JR Meisho Line) 🌸 Miyagawa Tsutsumi Cherry Blossoms A stunning riverside cherry blossom spot located near the Outer Shrine of Ise Jingu. Around 700 cherry trees line roughly 1 km of riverbank, creating an impressive canopy of blossoms — perfect for a stroll. 📆 Best viewing period: Late March – Early April 📍 Approximately a 15-minute walk from Yamada-Kamiguchi Station (JR) 🌸 Kyuka Park Built on the former site of Kuwana Castle, this park is home to around 450 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, weeping cherry, and Yamazakura varieties. Cherry blossoms surrounding the castle moat create an atmospheric setting, and a boat ride to view the cherry blossoms from the water is a popular highlight. After dark, the trees are beautifully illuminated, offering a different — and equally captivating — experience. 📆 Best viewing period: Late March – Early April 📍 Approximately a 20-minute walk from Kuwana Station (JR / Kintetsu) #Mitake #MiyagawaTsutsumi #KyukaPark #CherryBlossoms #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

Named one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots 🌸: Miyagawa Tsutsumi Cherry Blossoms Just a short walk from Ise Jingu’s Geku (Outer Shrine), Miyagawa Tsutsumi is one of Mie’s most celebrated cherry blossom spots. Records of hanami gatherings here date back to the Meiji era (1868–1912), giving this spot a history as deep as its canopy. Today, it is recognized among Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Destinations. 🌸 Along roughly one kilometer of riverbank, around 700 cherry trees form an unbroken stretch along the embankment — a display so sweeping it is known locally as Hitome Senbon, or “a thousand trees at a glance.” [Highlights] 📌 Miyagawa Tsutsumi Park Mature trees arch overhead in dense rows, their branches forming a near-continuous canopy. 📌 The Embankment Promenade A natural pairing of river and cherry trees, best enjoyed at a leisurely pace on foot. 📌 Watarai Bridge The ideal vantage point to take in the full scale of the Miyagawa Tsutsumi in a single view. Conveniently located near Ise Jingu's Geku, with Naiku (Inner Shrine) just around 16 minutes away by car. This spring, why not pair your visit to Ise Jingu with a stroll along the Miyagawa Tsutsumi, where one of Japan's finest cherry blossom corridors awaits. ✨ Thank you to @pooboobijou for the beautiful photo! ✨ 🚉By Public Transportation Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Yamada-Kamiguchi Station to Watarai Bridge 🚗By Car 10 minutes from Ise-Nishi IC #CherryBlossoms #MiyagawaTsutsumi #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

[Takihara-no-miya: The Serene Distant Sanctuary of Ise Jingu] Tucked away in a quiet corner of Mie Prefecture lies Takihara-no-miya, an auxiliary shrine of Ise Jingu’s Naiku (Inner Shrine). Dedicated to the spirit of Amaterasu Omikami, this sacred site has long been revered as To-no-miya, the Distant Sanctuary. Within the grounds stand two auxiliary shrines side by side — Takihara-no-miya and Takihara-narabi-no-miya. Unlike other auxiliary shrines, Takihara-no-miya possesses its own Mifunakura (boat storehouse), a distinctive feature that sets it apart. The approach to the shrine evokes the ancient age of the gods. Towering cedar trees, many over several hundred years old, line the path through the sacred forest. A purification site fed by the gentle flow of valley water recalls the atmosphere of Naiku itself, drawing visitors into a tranquil, timeless world. Tradition holds that prayers are offered first at Takihara-no-miya, followed by Takihara-narabi-no-miya. Takihara-no-miya 📍 872 Takihara, Taiki-cho, Watarai-gun, Mie Prefecture 🚃 Approximately a 20-minute walk from JR Takihara Station 🚙 About 10 minutes from Omiya-Odai Interchange on the Kisei Expressway #Takiharanomiya #IseJingu

A Landscape Like No Other 🌾 Maruyama Senmaida Nestled in the mountains of Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, Maruyama Senmaida is a vast expanse of terraced rice paddies that cascade down the hillside in graceful tiers. Recognized among Japan’s Top 100 Rice Terraces, it is also one of the country’s largest remaining terraced landscapes. Shaped over centuries, today, 1,340 paddies remain, carefully maintained by local communities, with much of the work still done by hand. One of Maruyama Senmaida’s greatest appeals is its striking seasonal transformation. In spring, the flooded paddies reflect the evening sky and moonlight, while Kumano cherry blossoms add a gentle wash of pink to the landscape 🌸 In summer, candlelight from the traditional Mushi Okuri ritual flickers across the terraces as prayers are offered for a healthy harvest 🕯 In autumn, the fields glow gold with ripening rice 🌾 And in winter, a rare blanket of snow settles over the landscape, bringing a quiet stillness ❄️ Visit Maruyama Senmaida and experience a place where generations of care have shaped one of Japan’s most remarkable rural landscapes. 🚉By Public Transportation Take a bus from Kumanoshi Ekimae and alight at Senmaida/Tori-toge Iriguchi. From there, it is approximately a 30-minute walk. 🚗By Car Approximately 40 minutes by car from Kumano-Odomari IC. #MaruyamaSenmaida #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

[Experience Japan's Tea Culture — A Tranquil Retreat Among the Tea Fields 🍵] Matsusaka City in Mie Prefecture is known worldwide for its prized Matsusaka beef — but it is also home to a quietly celebrated tea-growing region that remains largely undiscovered. Nestled in the natural landscape, Shinryoku Sabo is a tea house dedicated to fukamushi-cha, a slow-steamed green tea known for its deep emerald color and rich, mellow sweetness, with little to no bitterness. 🌿 What Sets It Apart 1. Brew It Yourself: Using traditional teaware, guests pour their own tea directly from the kyusu pot — an unhurried, hands-on introduction to the nuances of Japanese green tea. 2. House-Made Japanese Sweets: The in-house wagashi and matcha sweets are as beautiful as they are delicious — and as photogenic as they are delicious. 3. A Setting That Invites You to Slow Down: Surrounded by tea fields and a Japanese garden, it's the kind of place where the noise of everyday life fades naturally into the background. A freshly brewed cup of tea, a carefully crafted sweet, and a moment of quiet. This is Japanese tea culture, experienced as it was meant to be. 🍵 Shinryoku Sabo — Iinan Honten 📍 Location: 4209-2 Kayumi, Iinan-cho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture 🚙 By Car: Approx. 25 min from Matsusaka IC on Ise Expressway — a perfect stop on a scenic drive. #MieDelicacies #JapaneseTea #IseTea

🏁 FORMULA 1 ARAMCO JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2026 March 27–29 at Suzuka Circuit in Mie, Japan. The FORMULA 1 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX is a must-see event for motorsports fans around the world 🏎 Each year, spectators travel from across Japan and around the globe to witness the action at Suzuka. In 2025 alone, the race drew 266,000 fans over three days. Suzuka Circuit’s 5,807-meter racing course is famous for its unique figure-eight layout, combining high-speed sections with demanding technical corners. It’s a true test of both driver skill and machine performance. When the cars blast past you, the sound, vibration, and sheer acceleration create a thrill you simply can’t experience through a screen 🔊 Tickets are required and are already on sale. Many sections have sold out, so if you’re planning to attend, be sure to secure your tickets early 🔥 Come and experience the excitement for yourself! 🚉By Public Transportation From Kintetsu Shiroko Station, take a Mie Kotsu bus for about 20 minutes and get off at Suzuka Circuit. The area is expected to be extremely busy during the JAPANESE GRAND PRIX. Be sure to check the official website and @f1japanesegp for the latest directions and updates. 📆Event Dates Friday, March 27: Free Practice Saturday, March 28: Free Practice & Qualifying Sunday, March 29: Race #f1JP #JapaneseGP #f1 #suzukacircuit #miejapan #visitmie #mieprefecture #Japanmie #Miejapan #japantravels

A Shrine with No Hall—where a 45-Meter Sacred Rock Is the Deity Itself ⛩ Located in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, Hana-no-Iwaya Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is regarded as one of the oldest sacred sites in Japan. Unlike most Shinto shrines, it has no main sanctuary. Instead, the towering rock face rising before you is itself the object of worship—a living expression of ancient nature worship that has endured since antiquity. The sheer scale of the rock, combined with the profound stillness of the grounds, is overwhelming. Simply standing here, you can feel the awe and raw energy of nature resonate through your entire being. When visiting Kumano, be sure to take a moment to imprint this unforgettable sight on your memory. 📍 Hana-no-Iwaya Shrine 🚃 About 20 minutes on foot from Kumano-shi Station (JR Kisei Main Line) 🚌 About 5 minutes by bus from Kumano-shi Station; get off at Hana-no-Iwaya, right nearby #HananoIwayaShrine #WorldHeritage