MIE PREFECTURE

MIE HOTELS

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Mie Hotels in Key Locations

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MIE PREFECTURES

Mie Prefecture is part of the Kansai region on Honshu island. Mie Prefecture forms the eastern part of the Kii Peninsula. The capital of Mie Prefecture is Tsu, which is close to Nagoya and has a number of suburbs of Nagoya. Mie Prefecture most famous attraction is Ise Shrine complex, which is considered to be Shinto's most important sites. Other attractions in Mie Prefecture include Miyagawa-Tsutsumi Park and the small village of Mitake which feature beautiful cherry blossom in spring and are both considered to be one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

MIE PREFECTURE CAPITAL

Tsu is the capital of Mie Prefecture in the Kansai region, but is actually close to Nagoya. Tsu is on coastline of Ise Bay. Tsu attractions include Mitake is a small village which is famous for its cherry blossom and Tsu Castle. Tsu is only 40km from Ise Shrine complex, which is considered to be Shinto's most important sites.

MIE MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Ise is city on the coast of Ise Bay Mie Prefecture, situated south of Nagoya. Ise is the site of the famous Ise Grand Shrine, which is considered to be Shinto's most important sites. The Ise Grand Shrine complex includes 123 shrines focused around two primary shrines; Naiku (The Inner Shrine Kotai Jingu) and Geku (The Outer Shrine or Toyouke Daijingu). Naiku is south of central Ise City in Uji-tachi and is dedicated to the worship of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu-omikami. Geku is 6km from Naiku and is dedicated to the worship of deity of agriculture and industry, Toyouke no omikami.

MIE CASTLES

Hakumai Castle was a hilltop style Japanese Castle in Matsuzaka in Mie Prefecture. Today all that remains of Hakumai Castle is a few ruins and monument to mark the location.

Iga Ueno Castle also known as Ueno Castle or Hakuho Castle is a Japanese Castle in Iga Mie Prefecture. Iga Ueno Castle was first established in 1585 under the order of Takigawa Katsutoshi. The donjon (tower) and the inner bailey were constructed by Takigawa Katsutoshi's successor Tsutsui Sadatsugu. Today's reconstructed Iga Uneo Castle is based upon this design. It was Todo Takatora who ordered the redevelopment of the inner bailey walls to the height of 30m, making them the tallest of any castle in Japan. The donjon was destroyed in a storm in 1612 and only reconstructed with wood in 1935.

Kameyama Castle is a hilltop style Japanese Castle in Kameyama Mie Prefecture. Kameyama Castle was established in 1254 by Seki Sanetada, however this was dismantled to allow the construction of a new castle on the site under the orders of Okamoto Munenori in 1590. In 1632 the donjon was demolished. Around 1644 a turret or yagura was built where the donjon has been. As part of the Meiji Restoration, most of the buildings of the castle were demolished leaving only the walls.

Matsuzaka Castle was a hilltop style Japanese Castle in Matsuzaka Mie Prefecture. Matsuzaka Castle was constructed in 1588 by the order of Gamo Ujisato, complete with a three story donjon. Today only ruins remain of Matsuzaka Castle.

Tsu Castle was a flatland style Japanese Castle in Tsu in Mie Prefecture. An earlier fort or minor castle was built on the site of Tsu Castle by Hosono Fujiatsu in 1558. Tsu Castle became a true castle after Oda Nobukane, younger brother of Oda Nobunaga, took control of the site in 1573. Today part of the original walls and moat of Tsu Castle remain, however other key parts of the castle have been built over including the site of the Ninomaru which now has the city hall on it and the site of the Yozoukan now has the NTT Building on it. There is one reconstructed three story turret, that doesn't accurately reflect the design of the turrets seen in Meji period photographs of Tsu Castle.

MIE SHRINES

Ise Grand Shrine is a Shinto Shrine complex in Ise Mie Prefecture, which is considered to be Shinto's most important sites. The Ise Grand Shrine complex includes 123 shrines focused around two primary shrines; Naiku (The Inner Shrine Kotai Jingu) and Geku (The Outer Shrine or Toyouke Daijingu). Naiku is south of central Ise City in Uji-tachi and is dedicated to the worship of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu-omikami. Geku is 6km from Naiku and is dedicated to the worship of deity of agriculture and industry, Toyouke no omikami.

MIE GARDENS and PARKS

Mitake is a small village in Mie Prefecture which is famous for its cherry blossom. The yama zakura verity of cherry blossom found throughout Mitake bloom in mid-April. Mitake is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Miyagawa-Tsutsumi Park in Ise Mie Prefecture, is most famous for its cherry blossom which runs along the banks of Miyagawa River. Miyagawa-Tsutsumi Park is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.