6 popular sightseeing spots in Mie Prefecture that you can visit on a day trip from Nagoya, Osaka, or Kyoto!

• Table of Contents
• The Gozaisho Ropeway offers beautiful seasonal scenery
• Ise Shrine, a popular power spot
• Okage Yokocho: A place for food and souvenirs
• Toba Aquarium: Fun for the whole family
• From pools to attractions! "Nagashima Spa Land"
• Iga Ueno Castle: Enjoy history and scenery

The Gozaisho Ropeway offers beautiful seasonal scenery

The Gozaisho Ropeway is a spectacular spot that can be reached by train in about an hour from Nagoya.

The ropeway ride is about 2 kilometers long and takes about 15 minutes one way. From the window, you can see not only the mountains and the sea, but also Japanese serows.
There is an observation deck and a lift at the top of the mountain. There are also plenty of photo spots that are sure to look great on social media!

There is also a restaurant on the mountain. When you think of Gozaisho Ropeway, you think of curry udon! They also have set meals and rice bowls.

Be sure to come with an empty stomach!

From Nagoya Station, we recommend taking the Kintetsu train or bus.

Gozaisho Ropeway

8546 Komono, Komono-cho, Mie-gun, Mie Prefecture 510-1233

The Gozaisho Ropeway is a cableway that connects Yunoyama Onsen in Komono Town, Mie District, Mie Prefecture to the summit of Mt. Gozaisho, the main peak of the Suzuka Mountains. It is operated by Gozaisho Ropeway Co., Ltd.

Ise Shrine, a popular power spot

Ise Shrine is a special shrine that is said to be visited by all Japanese people at least once in their lifetime.

It consists of 125 shrines in total, with the Inner Shrine (Kotai Jingu) and the Outer Shrine (Toyouke Daijingu) being particularly famous.

Surrounded by mountains and filled with negative ions in the air, you'll feel like you're in a power spot.

From Nagoya Station, take the Kintetsu train to Ise-shi Station or Ujiyamada Station, then take the Mie Kotsu bus.

Ise Jingu Naiku Shrine (Kotaijingu)

516-0023 1 Ujidatecho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture

Picture courtesy of Jingushicho

Okage Yokocho: A place for food and souvenirs

Okage Yokocho is a tourist spot located next to Ise Shrine (Naiku).

The townscape is reminiscent of the Edo period, with many souvenir shops and restaurants.

You can also eat croquettes, ice cream and other foods while walking around.

Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Nagoya Station to Ise-shi Station or Ujiyamada Station, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

From there, take the Mie Kotsu bus for about 20 minutes and get off at Naiku-mae bus stop to get to Okage Yokocho.

Okage Yokocho

52 Ujinakanokiricho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture 516-8558

Okage Yokocho, located in the middle of the town in front of the Naiku Shrine of Ise Jingu, is a reconstructed and recreated streetscape from the Edo to Meiji periods, with around 50 stores lined up along the street. There are plenty of shops selling delicious food and local specialties from the Iseji route, making it the perfect place to eat, take a break, or look for souvenirs after visiting the shrine.

Toba Aquarium: Fun for the whole family

Toba Aquarium is one of the few aquariums in the world where you can see sea otters. What's more, you can see two sea otters eating here. You might even get to see the adorable sight of them eating with shellfish and fish on their bellies!

There are also around 1,200 other species of creatures, including dugongs, penguins, and sea lions. If you're a fish lover, one day may not be enough!

Tickets can be purchased online, so you can enter the park smoothly.

If you take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Nagoya Station, you will arrive at Toba Station in about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and Toba Aquarium is about a 10-minute walk from the station.

Toba Aquarium

517-8517 3-3-6 Toba, Toba City, Mie Prefecture

Toba Aquarium is based in Toba City, Mie Prefecture, and is one of the largest aquariums in Japan. As of September 2024, it will house approximately 1,200 species, the largest number in Japan. There are 12 zones that recreate natural environments, and approximately 1,200 species of sea and river creatures are kept and exhibited. The approximately 1.5 km long corridor is a free passageway with no set viewing order.

From pools to attractions! "Nagashima Spa Land"

Nagashima Spa Land is an amusement park famous for its many thrilling rides.

It has the largest number of roller coasters in Japan, with over 50 different types!

Next door is the outlet mall "Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima," where you can go shopping after having fun at the amusement park.

You might be able to buy famous domestic and international brands at a low price!

From Nagoya Station, it takes about 50 minutes by direct bus from Meitetsu Bus Center.

Alternatively, you can take a bus via Kintetsu Kuwana Station to Nagashima Spa Land in about 45 minutes.

Iga Ueno Castle: Enjoy history and scenery

Iga Ueno Castle, built by the master castle builder, Todo Takatora

Its stone walls are among the tallest or second tallest in Japan (approximately 30m).

The current castle tower was rebuilt in 1935, but the interior of the wooden building retains the atmosphere of the Warring States period.

Inside the castle, weapons, armor, and other items related to the Todo family are on display.

The ceiling on the top floor is decorated with 46 colored paper works by artists such as Yokoyama Taikan, and the view overlooking the entire castle town from there is exceptional.

Take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line from Nagoya Station to Iga-Kambe Station, then transfer to the Iga Railway and get off at Uenoshi Station.

Iga Ueno Castle is about a 10-minute walk away.

Iga Ueno Castle

106 Uenomarunouchi, Iga City, Mie Prefecture 518-0873