Few non-Japanese are familiar with Mie Prefecture. However, they may have heard of a place named Ise. Mie Prefecture is home to Ise Shrine, the head shrine and spiritual cornerstone of the Japanese Shinto faith since ancient times. Ise is a sort of homeland of the spirit for the Japanese; an old saying insists that every Japanese person should visit Ise Shrine once in his or her lifetime.

Along its north/south axis, Mie Prefecture has a collection of unique areas. Mie’s northernmost region of Kuwana, easily accessible from Nagoya, is a modern area that has come to flourish in recent years. Heading south from there, you will come across the castle towns of Iga Ueno and Matsusaka. Further down again, you will arrive at the Ise-Shima area and Ise Shrine. And traveling down to Mie’s southernmost edge, you will reach the cobbled streets of Kumano, nestled within a deeply forested area.

In short, the further south you go, the more you’ll start to feel that Mie is a sacred province of Japanese faith and the world of the gods. Traveling to Mie after first visiting Nara and Kyoto makes the charms of this area all the more clear. In addition, few regions of Japan can boast such an array of quality food, including ise-ebi spiny lobster and Matsusaka beef. Take a relaxing trip and enjoy the food, and you will be sure to encounter some of the deepest aspects of Japanese culture.