Use Kintetsu! Recommended day trip plan for southern Mie prefecture (Matsusaka, Ise, Shima edition)

If you want to enjoy a day trip to southern Mie Prefecture (Matsusaka, Ise, Shima), where is the best place to go? For those of you who have such questions, we will introduce a recommended model course! It is an attractive plan that includes tasting Matsusaka beef and visiting Ise Shrine.
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Table of Contents
- The appeal of a model itinerary for enjoying a day trip in southern Mie Prefecture
- What's the best way to travel for a day trip in southern Mie Prefecture?
- Recommended spots to visit in Matsusaka, Ise, and Shima on the Kintetsu Railway
- Comfortable car trip! A day trip plan for southern Mie Prefecture
- summary
The appeal of a model itinerary for enjoying a day trip in southern Mie Prefecture

Southern Mie Prefecture (Matsusaka, Ise, Shima) is a tourist area with plenty of history, nature, and gourmet food. There are many spots that can be enjoyed on a day trip, and you can travel around efficiently by Kintetsu or car.
In Matsusaka city, there are famous restaurants where you can try Matsusaka beef, one of the three great wagyu beef varieties in Japan, and the castle guard house, which still retains the atmosphere of the Edo period. In Ise city, the food tour of Okage Yokocho, which is centered around Ise Shrine, is popular after visiting the shrine. In Shima city, you can enjoy the charm of the sea at Yokoyama Observatory, which offers a spectacular view of Ago Bay, and on a Kashikojima cruise.
A day trip to southern Mie Prefecture can be made even more fulfilling by choosing an efficient means of transportation. In the next section, we will introduce the advantages of each method of transportation and recommended sightseeing routes in detail.
What's the best way to travel for a day trip in southern Mie Prefecture?

For day trips in southern Mie Prefecture, there are two modes of transportation to choose from: Kintetsu trains and cars. Each has its own advantages, so choose the one that best suits your travel purpose.
Compare the pros and cons of public transport and driving.
The Kintetsu Railway has good access from Osaka and Nagoya, and there is no need to worry about traffic jams. The Kintetsu Limited Express Shimakaze is a particularly popular and comfortable means of transportation for tourists. On the other hand, if you drive, you have fewer time constraints and can freely visit tourist spots.
For example, Ise Shrine and Okage Yokocho are easily accessible by train, but Shima's Yokoyama Observatory and Kashikojima Cruise are more convenient by car. We recommend combining different modes of transportation depending on your destination.
Recommended spots to visit in Matsusaka, Ise, and Shima on the Kintetsu Railway

By using the Kintetsu Railway, you can travel around Matsusaka, Ise, and Shima efficiently. Here we will introduce a model day trip itinerary using the Kintetsu Railway.
How to use Kintetsu trains and discount ticket information
On Kintetsu, you can travel comfortably by using limited express trains such as the Ise-Shima Liner and Shimakaze.
You can also save money on train fares and admission fees to tourist attractions by using discount tickets such as the "Mawaryanse" and "Ise Jingu Sanpai Ticket." →Kintetsu Official Website
A guide to sightseeing spots and access along the Kintetsu Railway (Matsusaka and Ise)
The ruins of Matsusaka Castle and famous Matsusaka beef restaurants are within walking distance of Matsusaka Station.
From Iseshi Station, you can walk to Ise Shrine (Geku).
Take a bus from Isuzugawa Station to Naiku Shrine, then enjoy the famous Akafuku and Ise Udon noodles at Okage Yokocho. If you are heading towards Shima, it is also recommended to take a cruise ship from Kashikojima Station.
Comfortable car trip! A day trip plan for southern Mie Prefecture

By using a car, you can visit tourist spots that are difficult to access by public transportation. Here are some recommended routes for those who love driving.
Recommended route for driving around Matsusaka, Ise, and Shima
Starting from Matsusaka IC, we will first enjoy a Matsusaka beef lunch in Matsusaka city.
Afterwards, we headed to Ise Shrine and after worshipped, we went on a food tour of Okage Yokocho.
In the afternoon, we recommend heading towards Shima and taking in the spectacular views of Yokoyama Observatory and Ago Bay.
A scenic spot worth stopping at during your drive
Shima's Pearl Road is popular as a scenic road that runs along the coast.
You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of Shima's ria coastline from Toba Observatory and Yokoyama Observatory.
Local gourmet spots to enjoy by car
If you travel by car, you can easily stop by a long-established yakiniku restaurant in Matsusaka or a fishing port-operated store where you can enjoy fresh seafood from Ise-Shima.
Be sure to try the "Butasute Croquette" from Ise City and the "Tekone Sushi" from Shima.
→ Details of "Okage Yokocho Butasute"
summary
Southern Mie Prefecture (Matsusaka, Ise, Shima) is an attractive area where you can enjoy fulfilling sightseeing even on a day trip.
Using the Kintetsu Railway allows for comfortable travel and discounted ticket prices, while traveling by car gives you the freedom to explore without being tied down by time.
Additionally, in the southern part of Mie Prefecture, there is the town of Meiwa, which is home to cultural heritage sites such as the historic Saigū ruins.
There are many spots here where you can get a feel for the history of the Heian period, and it is especially recommended for history buffs.
A visit to Meiwa Town will add even more depth to your trip to southern Mie Prefecture.
Choose your mode of transportation based on the purpose of your trip and enjoy the charms of southern Mie Prefecture, including Matsusaka beef, Ise Shrine, Okage Yokocho, and the spectacular views of Ago Bay.
The entrance to Oise-san, Meiwa-cho. Meiwa Town is a town where the Miyako ``Saikyu'', where the princess of the imperial family, ``Saio'', who served Amaterasu Omikami at Ise Grand Shrine in place of the Emperor, once lived, remains as a historical site.
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