Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Mie Prefecture (三重県)
Mie Prefecture (三重県) is located in the Kansai region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Tsu. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture include Ise Jingu (Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine complex) and Okage Yokocho lane, Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks), Toba pearl islands, Iga-Ueno ninja castle town, and Suzuka Circuit.
How to get to Mie Prefecture
1h 20m from Nagoya or 1h 50m from Osaka-Namba/Kyoto on the Kintetsu Limited Express (including the luxury Shimakaze train). Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Mie
When visiting cities across Mie, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Matsusaka wagyu beef (one of Japan's top three wagyu)
- Ise udon (thick soft noodles in dark tamari glaze)
- Akafuku mochi
- Ise-ebi (spiny lobster) & Matoya oysters
- Tekone-zushi
Best time to visit Mie
Year-round pilgrimage to Ise Jingu; spring and autumn for Kumano Kodo Iseji coastal trails; winter for Nabana no Sato illumination in Kuwana.
All 14 cities & municipalities in Mie Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokkaichi 四日市市 | Special city | 306,584 | 205.53 km² | City guide → |
| Matsusaka 松阪市 | City | 169,571 | 623.82 km² | City guide → |
| Kuwana 桑名市 | City | 140,816 | 136.61 km² | City guide → |
| Suzuka 鈴鹿市 | City | 197,437 | 194.67 km² | City guide → |
| Nabari 名張市 | City | 81,184 | 129.76 km² | City guide → |
| Owase 尾鷲市 | City | 21,272 | 193.16 km² | City guide → |
| Kameyama 亀山市 | City | 50,304 | 190.91 km² | City guide → |
| Toba 鳥羽市 | City | 22,286 | 107.98 km² | City guide → |
| Inabe いなべ市 | City | 46,676 | 219.58 km² | City guide → |
| Shima 志摩市 | City | 56,758 | 179.70 km² | City guide → |
| Iga 伊賀市 | City | 99,662 | 558.17 km² | City guide → |
| Ise 伊勢市 | City | 133,547 | 208.53 km² | City guide → |
| Kumano 熊野市 | City | 20,477 | 373.63 km² | City guide → |
| Tsu 津市 | City | 289,215 | 710.81 km² | City guide → |