Historical Welcome the New Year at Ise Jingu Dan Traylor After the countdown, make way for hatsumode — the first shrine visit of the new year — at the Ise Grand Shrine
Museums The Grand Ise Jingu Chris Glenn The Grand Shrine of Ise comprises two separate shrines, the Naiku and Geku. From ancient times, worshippers would visit the Geku..
Historical Tsubaki Taisho, an Unearthly Shrine Chris Glenn Built in 300, guarded by 97 generations of the Yamamoto Family, Tsubaki Grand Shrine is where Ueshiba Morihei received inspiration..
Museums Basho. Haiku or Ninja Master? Chris Glenn There’s a rumor that the famed haiku poet Matsuo Basho wasn’t just a master of poetry, but a master of the art of the Ninja!
Historical The Sacred Rocks of Meoto Iwa Chris Glenn South of Ise, just offshore from the village of Futamigaura, are the two symbolic and sacred rocks known as the Meoto Iwa, or "husband..
Museums Iga Ueno Castle Chris Glenn Most foreign tourists head to the north western Mie Prefecture town to see the ninja, without even realizing the city of Iga Ueno..
Historical Senjuji in Tsu City Chris Glenn The largest Buddhist temple in Mie Prefecture, the Senjuji is surrounded by high earthen walls, with an impressive set of gate..
Museums Samurai Tenements & Merchant Houses Chris Glenn Gojoban Yashiki, one of the very few remaining samurai tenement houses left in Japan.