Mie Prefecture occupies the eastern tip of the Kii Peninsula along Japan's Pacific coast, sheltering Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine complex, a UNESCO-listed pilgrimage network, pristine pearl-farming bays, and a coastline famous for Ise lobster and Matsusaka wagyu beef.
Mie Prefecture's history spans over 2,000 years of recorded Shinto practice at the Ise Grand Shrine. The province of Ise was a major centre of imperial Japanese spiritual life; the Vestal Princess (Saio) lived at the Saigu Palace in present-day Meiwa-cho for centuries, serving as the emperor's divine representative. The Kii Peninsula's Kumano region was a centre of ancient nature worship (Kumano Sanzan) later absorbed into Buddhist-Shinto syncretism. The Iga area gave birth to the shinobi (ninja) tradition during the Sengoku (Warring States) period.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Mie Prefecture.
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1
Ise Grand Shrine (Jingu) traditionally founded at present location
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2
First recorded shikinen sengu (shrine rebuilding ceremony) under Empress Jito
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3
Kumano Kodo designated sacred pilgrimage routes; Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa makes 34 pilgrimages
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4
Iga region ninja clans suppressed by Oda Nobunaga's forces; survivors disperse across Japan as shinobi
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5
Matsusaka Castle built by Gamo Ujisato; town becomes a prosperous merchant centre
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6
Mikimoto Kokichi successfully cultivates first round pearl in Ago Bay
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7
Mikimoto Pearl Island opens in Toba as public attraction
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8
Kumano Kodo inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site
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9
G7 Ise-Shima Summit held at Shima Kanko Hotel; world leaders visit Ise Jingu
Historical eras
The chapters of Mie Prefecture's past.
Historical sites
Places where Mie Prefecture's past comes alive.
Museums
Curated collections that tell Mie Prefecture's story.
Iga Ninja Museum
Admission: ¥800 (~$5)
Mie Prefectural Museum
Admission: ¥500 (~$3)
Saiku Historical Museum
Admission: ¥300 (~$2)
Mikimoto Pearl Island Museum
Admission: ¥1,650 (~$11)
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.