A Complete Guide to Matsusaka City: Food and Sightseeing

Fine Food and Traditional Culture

Matsusaka is a city in the central area of Mie Prefecture, facing Nara Prefecture to the west, and Ise Bay to the east.

Video courtesy of Matsusaka City

When Matsusaka City is mentioned, the world-famous Matsusaka beef may be the first thing that comes to mind.

The city also boasts Matsusaka pork and grilled chicken. It is truly a city of meat.

The city is also known for its traditional culture. Weaving started in the late 5th century, which has now become Matsusaka Momen (cotton).

Currently, tourists flock to the city, enchanted by fine food and history.

Visitors should drop by the Tourist Information Center, located within a walking distance from Matsusaka Station.

Matsusaka Tourist Information Center

This article is about the must-visit eateries, along with sightseeing spots that should not be missed. Do use it as a guide for your trip.

Three Eateries to Enjoy Matsusaka Beef

To produce Matsusaka beef, the cattle must go through a strict fattening procedure, and the number of shipment is also restricted, making the meat rare.

The marbling adds to its rich flavor, and the soft texture will leave a strong impression.

The following are three eateries to enjoy Matsusaka beef in different cooking styles: sukiyaki, yakiniku, and steak.

Sukiyaki: Gyugin Honten

Picture courtesy of Gyugin Honten

Gyugin was established in 1902. The elegant architecture stands discreetly among the historic buildings.

The eatery has a formal aura of a long-established company, delivering high-quality service with attention to detail. It is adored by many people. The madam hostess welcomes the customers at the entrance.

An experienced nakai (*) will prepare the Matsusaka beef in front of the customers.

Usually, warishita, a ready-made, mixed sauce, is used to make sukiyaki, but not at Gyugin.

The strips of meat are laid in a steel pot, sprinkled with sugar, and steeped in soy sauce.

This traditional method brings out the best flavor, fragrance, and softness in the meat. It also works wonders on the vegetables.

*: A waitress at a ryokan (Japanese-style inn) or ryotei (high-class Japanese restaurant).

Gyugin Main Store

1618 Uomachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture 515-0082

Gyugin is a long-established Matsusaka beef sukiyaki restaurant that was founded in 1902. The restaurant's charm lies in its tasteful appearance, which blends naturally into the historic streetscape. The stately space that only a long-established restaurant can have, combined with high-quality service with meticulous attention to detail, has made it a popular restaurant.

Yakiniku: Isshobin

Picture courtesy of Isshobin

Isshobin has played a major role in supporting the yakiniku culture in Matsusaka.

It has more than 60 years of history, managing eleven diners in Mie Prefecture. Both the locals and tourists are enamored by its guranteed taste and quality.

Picture courtesy of Isshobin

The eatery serves A5 ranked Matsusaka beef, along with rare parts, which cannot be tasted at most restaurants.

Their homemade miso sauce goes very well with grilled meat.

This is an eatery to enjoy Matsusaka beef with your friends.

isshobin

2323 Minamimachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture 515-0034

Ichishobin is a long-established yakiniku restaurant that has been in business for 60 years and currently has 11 stores in Mie Prefecture. This restaurant is popular because you can enjoy delicious Matsusaka beef at reasonable prices.

Steak: Beef Club Noel

Picture courtesy of Beef Club Noel

Beef Club Noel, founded in 1973, is a beef steak restaurant, managed by Marukou Meat Shop.

Listed in the 2019 version of the Michelin Guide, Noel is regarded highly in the Japanese restaurant information sites.

One of its appeals is the fresh meat supplied by the parent company, served at a moderate price.

Picture courtesy of Beef Club Noel

To enjoy the splendid fat and softness of the meat, customers should order medium rare steaks. It will bring out the best in flavor, and in texture as well.

The marbling in the meat is exquisite, and there is no smell or greasiness. It stays delicious to the last bite.

Beef Club Noel

25 Kyomachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0017

Founded in 1973, Beef Club Noel is a beef steak restaurant directly managed by the butcher shop Maruko Butcher. It was featured in the 2019 Michelin Guide and has received high praise on Japanese gourmet sites.

Two Noted Eateries to Enjoy Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken, served with miso sauce, is another specialty of Matsusaka. The following are two eateries to taste it.

Noboyan Matsusaka Station Branch

Noboyan, a popular eatery, manages three diners in Matsusaka. They serve deep-flavored chicken, free from smell or greasiness.

Seseri (neck meat), a popular dish, is fragrant, with a firm texture. Torikawa (chicken skin), with its fat and crispy texture, is also favored by the customers.

Comparing the taste of young and old chicken is another way to enjoy the dishes. The former has a soft texture, and is succulent; the latter is firm, with the flavor remaining until the last bite.

While customers can choose either miso sauce or salt, be sure to try the former. Keep in mind to add the sauce after the meat is grilled.

Amiyaki Noboyan

Belltown 1F, 17 Hinocho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0084

Noboyan is a popular chicken yakiniku restaurant with three locations in Matsusaka City. The popular Seseri (chicken neck meat) has a firm texture and is fragrant when grilled on a wire rack. The chicken skin is also popular because it has an even distribution of fat and a light texture when grilled.

Amiyaki Takuya

Picture courtesy of Amiyaki Takuya

Takuya, located in a residential area, specializes in Kinso-dori.
It is a rare, deep-flavored chicken, with a small amount of fat. The eatery takes pride in purchasing Kinso-dori raised in Mie.

Picture courtesy of Amiyaki Takuya

Contrary to other restaurants, the meat is first grilled without the miso sauce at Takuya, allowing customers to taste the chicken in its original state.

After the first bite, they can try the sauce, or seaweed salt, according to their preferences.

Amiyaki Takuya

824-1 Otsucho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0031

Ami-yaki Takuya is a restaurant that specializes in grilling Kinso-dori chicken, located in a residential area of Matsusaka City. Kinso-dori chicken is a rare chicken that is low in fat, tender, and rich in flavor, and Takuya is particular about sourcing chicken from Mie Prefecture.

Two Eateries to Savor Confections

Matsusaka also boasts a number of confections and cafes. The following are two eateries serving snacks to eat while sightseeing.

Taiyaki Warashibe Matsusaka Branch

Taiyaki Warashibe, an Ise-based confectionery, is very popular in Matsusaka.

It is different from other taiyaki makers, using wheat flour produced in Matsusaka, which is also used to make Ise udon. The dough has a chewy texture, and tastes good even a while after the purchase.

The fresh taiyaki is crunchy on the outside, and soft inside. It tastes good on every bite.

The standard type is filled with bean paste. There is also a pudding flavor, and even a no-filling type, in which the customers can savor the dough.

Taiyaki Warashibe

847 Shinmachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0075

Taiyaki Warashibe's Taiyaki dough is made from "Ayahikari" from Mie Prefecture. The bean paste is made from Hokkaido azuki beans and beet sugar, and is additive-free, crispy on the surface and chewy inside, and each piece is carefully baked over a gas fire.

Usagi no Koya

Usagi no Koya (rabbit hutch) is a cafe, set inside a renovated townhouse which has more than a 100 years of history.

The name was chosen by the owner, who wishes to convey the information about Japanese tea, even from a small space.

The cafe serves tea brewed from leaves produced mostly in Mie, and customers can choose drinks according to their preference of aroma or taste.

Zenzai (red bean soup), made with high-quality matcha, and matcha-flavored bavarois, are the popular dishes. Visitors can relax in a serene atmosphere.

Old-fashioned tablewear and daily items are sold at this cafe, so it is also a place to look for souvenirs.

Usagi no Koya

1625 Uomachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture 515-0082

Usagi no Koya is a coffee shop that was renovated from a townhouse with over 100 years of history. In addition to Japanese tea and exquisite Japanese sweets, you can also purchase tasteful tableware and daily necessities at the shop.

Historic Tourist Destinations

There are many attractive spots in Matsusaka. Be sure to enjoy them, along with the food.

Matsusaka Castle Ruins

Picture courtesy of Matsusaka City

Matsusaka Castle was built at Yoiho no Mori, 38 meters above sea level.

Although the architecture, including the keep, is lost, the stone walls still remain. The wall at the former site of the keep employs nozura-zumi, a unique style of using fieldstones.

This particular wall is one of the most beautiful stone constructions in Japan.

Picture courtesy of Matsusaka City

In 2006, the castle ruin was chosen as one of the Top 100 Japanese Castles, and was designated as a historic site by the Japanese government in 2011.

At Matsusaka Park, where the ruins are located, visitors can enjoy a different scenery every season, such as cherry, wisteria, and gingko.

Matsusaka Castle Ruins (Matsusaka Park)

515-0073 Tonomachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture

Matsusaka Castle is a tourist spot in Matsusaka City that has been selected as one of Japan's 100 most famous castles and a nationally designated historic site. Its stone walls, built using a variety of techniques, are highly regarded. You can enjoy seasonal flowers and scenery, including cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, wisteria, and ginkgo trees.

Gojoban Yashiki

Picture courtesy of Matsusaka City

Gojoban Yashiki, designated as an important cultural property by the Japanese government, is a former residence of samurai families in the late 19th century.

While the descendants are still using the building as an abode, a part of it is open to the public. Gojoban Yashiki was even used as a filming location for the movie Rurouni Kenshin.

During the visit, keep in mind not to enter the private areas.

Former Hasegawa Residence

This used to be the residence of Hasegawa Jirobe, a wealthy merchant of the Edo Period, based in Matsusaka.
More than thirty facilities, including the main building, detached house, storage, promenade garden, and tea ceremony room, are located in the vast grounds.

Picture courtesy of Matsusaka City

Precious documents, books, and various tools, used in business and daily life, are preserved in the residence. Special exhibitions are regularly scheduled, so visitors can also view these materials.

The residence offers an opportunity to appreciate the cultural heritage of the Matsusaka Merchants, along with the scenery which changes with the season.

Be sure to buy a ticket that also allows entrance to the former Harada Residence and former Ozu Residence, to enjoy the elegance of Japanese architecture.

Visitors wearing a rental kimono made of Matsusaka Momen, and taking a walk by the historic spots will feel like they have traveled back in time.

Former Hasegawa Residence

1653 Uomachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0082

This is the main family home of Hasegawa Jirobei, a wealthy merchant who was based in Matsusaka during the Edo period. The vast grounds contain over 30 rooms, including the main house, a detached building, a storehouse, a stroll-style garden, and a teahouse.

Matsusaka Momen Teori Center

This facility displays Matsusaka Momen products, which are handwoven. Visitors can purchase clothing and accessories for private use, or as a gift.

The center also hosts a weaving workshop. Visitors can choose a casual 1 hour course, or a challenging 4 hour course.

In the workshop, participants will choose one of the four patterns, and use a naturally dyed cotton thread. Striped or plaid patterns are created by the difference in colors, which varies according to the level of dyeing.

The samples may look easy to weave, but they require concentration and skills from the participants.
A single lapse in attention will end up in failure. This is an opportunity to experience the profound world of weaving.

Matsusaka Momen Teori Center

2176 Honmachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0081

At the Matsusaka Momen Teori Center, Matsusaka Momen crafts are on display. You can also try your hand at weaving and purchase accessories made with Matsusaka Momen, which also make great gifts.

Dining and Sightseeing, Away from the Bustling Areas

Matsusaka offers not only fine food, but various local dishes as well. The sightseeing spots are located close to each other, so it will be easy to plan an itinerary.

The most important point is that compared to Kyoto or Osaka, it will be less crowded, even though the level of food and entertainment is the same. Those who wish to see places beside well-known tourist destinations in Japan should consider a visit to Matsusaka.

To the city, it takes an hour from Nagoya, and an hour and a half from Osaka, so do give it a try.

Written by Kenko
Sponsored by Matsusaka City