Mie Prefecture

Mie is a prefecture on the Pacific coast of Japan that stretches from the ocean to the Suzuka Mountains and includes 14 cities, with Tsu serving as the administrative center. The coastline runs for considerable length and encloses many bays, while the interior features forested highlands and fertile valleys that support agriculture and small towns.

The prefecture came into being in 1871 when the government merged the old provinces of Ise, Iga and Shima, with the name drawn from an ancient term for multiple hills. This reform followed the abolition of the feudal administrative system and led to a reorganization of territorial boundaries throughout the country.

Pilgrims travel from across the country to visit the Ise shrine complex, where they walk through ancient cedar forests and participate in rituals honoring the sun goddess. Coastal communities maintain fishing traditions passed down through generations, and local markets display fresh seafood alongside handmade crafts that reflect centuries of maritime culture.

Rail connections on the Kintetsu network link the region with both Osaka and Nagoya, allowing travelers to move between major cities and coastal towns. Multiple expressways cross the territory and provide access to remote valleys and mountain villages in the interior.

The region produces roughly 70 percent of all cultured pearls in Japan, with the practice beginning in 1893 when Kokichi Mikimoto created the first cultivated pearl. Visitors can tour pearl farms where divers in white clothing demonstrate the technique and offer insight into the multi-stage process of nurturing pearls inside oysters.