Iga Ueno Castle

Iga Ueno Castle (Iga Ueno-jo) was built in the latter half of the 16th century by Tsutsui Sadatsugu, who governed this region. It was subsequently restored by the daimyo Todo Takatora, an expert on castle building, who was the governor in the beginning of the 17th century. The five-tiered donjon collapsed in a hurricane in 1612, however, as it neared completion, and thus it became a castle without a donjon. The existing three-tiered donjon was built in 1935 and is an exhibition room displaying cultural exhibits.

Garden of the Former Residence of Kitabatake Family

This garden is typical of the Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (1336-1392), and is in the precinct of the Kitabatake-jinja Shrine in which Kitabatake Akiyoshi, the Ise provincial governor, is enshrined. The gardens represent the sense of beauty of the powerful clans, leaving us the images of those times. The garden, which was made in the Muromachi Period, efficiently utilizes the natural geography to create a very dynamic structure. It comprises a complicated shaped pond, and a well balanced arrangement of various sizes of rock and stone, creating a splendid sight for visitors to behold. From the bright, fresh green of the mosses and trees in springtime, to the deep reds, browns and bronzes of autumn, every season is spectacular in this garden.

Pearl Museum

Seeking to "examine the relationship between people and pearls" across the centuries, the Pearl Museum presents the history of pearls in society and culture. Topics covered include displays about the pearl industry, the products of natural and cultured pearl and their distribution, and scientific documents on the formation of a natural pearl. The museum collects pearls from ancient times to the beginning of 21st century, and exhibits antique jewelry and arts and crafts. The Museum is located on Mikimoto Pearl Island where Kokichi Mikimoto successfully produced the world's first cultured pearl in 1893; the Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall is dedicated to his life and works. The Island also offers performances by female pearl divers, known as Ama.

Toba Visitor Center

Toba Visitor Center is located in the city of Toba, a base for sightseeing in the Ise-Shima region. The Ise-Shima National Park is endowed with many sightseeing spots including the jagged coastlines of Toba Bay and Ago Bay, and Ise-jingu, one of the most prominent shrines in Japan. The beauty of the inlets here cutting deep into the land and dotted with islets is well worth the trip. In the calm Inland Sea, visitors can see lines of pearl farming rafts and female pearl divers. The center provides easy-to-understand displays on nature and tourist information for the Ise-Shima National Park, thus serving as a base for visiting tourists.

Mie Kenritsu Bijutsukan (Art Museum)

Mie Kenritsu Bijutsukan is situated on a small hill in the center of the city of Tsu, in Mie Prefecture. Exhibited in the open air around this art museum are many sculptures, including works by Giacomo Manzu. The collection here focuses on modern Japanese painting, as well as the works of artists from around the world who have influenced modern Japanese painters. Also noteworthy are the many self-portraits by such Japanese artists as Shigeru Aoki, Yuzo Saeki and Kaita Murayama. Works of foreign artists include La Branche by Chagall. Since 1991 Spanish art has also been an integral part of this collection.

Ise-jingu Shrine (Geku)

The Outer Shrine of Ise-jingu is located in the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture, and is part of the Ise-jingu. The Outer Shrine is sacred to Toyouke-no-O-mikami. Since this deity is believed to have taken charge of catering for Amaterasu O-mikami, legendary ancestor of the Imperial Household, many people have worshiped here as the guardian deity of all kinds of endeavors. During the rule of Japan by the Edo shogunate from the 17th to 19th centuries, pilgrimages to this shrine from all over the country -- known as O-ise-mairi -- were very popular. Pilgrims followed a fixed route, visiting the Outer Shrine first, followed by a visit to the Inner Shrine. The Outer Shrine (Geku) is the common name for the shrine, which is officially known as the "Toyouke Daijingu" (Toyouke Grand Shrine).

Ise-jingu Shrine (Naiku)

The Inner Shrine of Ise-jingu in the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture is sacred to Amaterasu Sumera O-mikami (the sun goddess), and is the center of Ise-jingu. It differs in custom from other shrines in that Shikinen Sengu (the installation of the deity in a new shrine with due ceremony) takes place once every 20 years, when buildings such as the sanctuary are rebuilt in adjacent grounds. It is a grand event, with the completion of the new building taking as long as ten years. The first ceremony was performed in 690, and has continued with occasional interruptions in wartime for 1,300 years. The latest installation of the deity took place in 1993.