Mie-ken discloses culture, tourism and multicultural activities in Nagoya

名古屋市で開催された「名古屋ブラジルフェスタ」の多国籍の参加者に三重県の文化や観光をPRするブースを設けました

2014/06/27 Friday Information Videos

The Government of Mie set up a booth at Brazil Festival 2014 that was held in Nagoya city, in order to share the fascinating attractions and regional products of Mie. Iga ninjyutsu attracts much interest from foreigners, and, in order to experience that martial art, a person with ninja clothes taught the attendees how to throw the shurikien ninja and who were able to hit the target could win prizes.

Image3The culture and traditions of Mie were introduced to visitors who spend the day on the stand, and informative booklets related to multicultural activities were also distributed.

Besides having a lot of famous attractions in Japan,the culture and traditions of Mie Prefecture are very interesting. We asked the representative of the department of international tourism Mie about some of the interesting places to visit in the prefecture.

[Interview: Oohira Kazuki – Department of Employment, Economy and Tourism – International Sector]

“The first spot is the “Ise Jingu”. Last year, it was finished the Shikinen Sengu, where they move to a new temple,it is a good opportunity to make wishes so they can be granted. They are Ise Jingu and “Mikimoto Shinju Jima”. When there are distinguished visitors, visit Ise Jingu, go along “Okage Yoko-cho” and get to know Mikimoto Shinju Jima are classic routes, besides being the main sights of Mie.

Image4Coming from the north of the prefecture, you can find the “Jazz Dream Nagashima”, nearby there is the “Nabana no Sato”, where the flowers are gorgeous, beyond the Begonia Garden, they are places we recommend by the lush beauty.

There are other places too, as you can see, today I’m draped in ninja costume, in Iga there is the “Iga-ryu Ninja Hakubutsukan” lately there are many tourists from Southeast Asia as it is something that attracts foreign tourists. In the same city of Iga there is the Iga “Moku Moku Farm” it is a place that we also recommend visiting.

Image5“Magose Touge” is located in the Kumano Kodo, which is right on the border between Kihoku-cho and Owase-shi. This year marks 10 years of Kumano Kodo record as a World Heritage Site, with anticipation to celebrate these 10 years, the emperor of Japan has been here and visited the region along with the governor of Mie Mr Suzuki. The emperor was very pleased with the beauty of the place. This is the place that we most recommend visiting.

Image6There are many other places we’d like to recommend, such as the beautiful view “Ago-wan”.  In Mie Prefecture, seafood and products from the mountains are plentiful, so how about spending a quiet day, to take the burden of the day-to-day, taking advantage of the thermal waters, tasting a delicious dinner and having fun?”

Where foreigners can acquire information in other languages?

“At Mie’s torism website there is the place called” Kanko Mie “. In this site, for foreign visitors, there is the “Mie Tourism Guide”, a page in a foreign language. Here we provide information in 14 languages in addition to Japanese, we recommend you to see this website.”

Link: http://tourismmiejapan.com/

Just to finish, could you leave a message to foreigners?

“As I presented now, in Mie Prefecture there are several interesting places, so come visit the place one or several times with family, with friends, so everyone can increasingly promote our prefecture also abroad.”

Mie Prefecture invites all foreign nationals residing in Japan to know its culture and traditions, and visit the many attractions available. On this site you will also find information about Mie Prefecture, in “Exploring Mie ” section.

Link: http://mieinfo.com/en/exploring-mie

[Exploring Mie] Festivals in the Ise-Shima Area

2014/06/27 Friday Information Videos

「三重を知ろう」三重の祭 伊勢志摩の祭

Festivals in Mie

Within Mie Prefecture remain longstanding traditions and customs,
and glamorous dancing that highlight each season.
Festivals that borrow heavily from local traditions are held in all parts of Mie Prefecture, throughout the year.

festivais ise shima

 

Shirongo Festival (Toba City) Middle of July

Fish-catching by women divers, called ama, is an ancient Japanese fishing method. The women divers compete to find abalones. People pray for bumper catches and safety in the sea, and dedicate the first abalone of the competition to the gods.

■ 15-minute walk from Sugashima Port after an 18-minute ride on a ship from Sadahama Port, which is located in front of Toba Station on the JR or Kintetsu lines

 

Geita Festival (Toba City) January 1st

This brisk festival is a ritual of the Yashiro Shrine held at Kami Island at dawn on New Year’s Day. All men on the island use bamboo poles to hold up a large ring two meters wide which represents the sun, and then they drop it.

■   50-minute ride on a ship from Sadahama Port, which is in front of Toba Station on the JR or Kintetsu lines

 

Spring / Autumn Kagura Festivals (Ise City) Spring: beginning of April; autumn: middle of September

These festivals are held twice a year in spring and autumn to express thanks to the gods and pray for the peace of citizens. Jingu-Kagura, a Shinto dance, is performed for the public on a special stage in the Naiku of Ise Jingu.

■  A short walk from the Naiku-mae bus stop from Ise-shi Station on the JR or Kintetsu lines

 

Ise-ebi Lobster Festival (Shima City) Beginning of June

Expressing gratitude to the sea, mainly for Ise-ebi lobsters, and with hopes for a bumper harvest, people hold a huge imitation Ise-ebi lobster 6.5 meters long and parade along the coast.

■   20-minute ride to the Hamajima bus stop from Ugata Station on the Kintetsu Line

 

Ise Jingu National Fireworks Festival (Ise City) End of July

Fifty groups of pyrotechnic experts from all over Japan are dedicated in their efforts to launch approximately 9,000 magnificent fireworks, creating a great symphony of fire, sound, and light as they compete in the night sky over the clear waters of the pristine Miya River.

■ Special shuttle buses operated from Ise-shi Station and Ujiyamada Station

 

Waraji Festival (Shima City) End of September

This amazing festival is based on “Dandarabocchi,” a character in a folktale, and has been designated as an intangible cultural asset of Mie Prefecture.

■  Ride to the Nakiri-gyoko Uoichiba-mae bus stop or Nakiri-shogakko-mae bus stop from Ugata Station on the Kintetsu Line

 

Ise Festival (Ise City) Middle of October

A 112-year-old festival, in which a miniature shrine, traditional dancing, and floats decorated with lanterns parade through Ise City and highlight the Ise Road in autumn.

■          A short walk from Ise-shi Station on the JR or Kintetsu lines