Road Trip Around Kii Peninsula: The Graceful Ise-Shima #traveljapan
Ise-Shima is a surprisingly delightful place. By the time we left Matsusaka, it was already afternoon, and our original plan was merely to pass through the area, continuing south to spend the night at the southernmost tip of Honshu. However, when we reached the Yokoyama Observatory in Kashikojima, we gazed down at the twilight-shrouded coastline of Ago Bay. The meandering coastline intertwined with numerous islands, the shoreline beautifully fragmented by countless small islets and inlets. The delicate and graceful beauty was unlike anything we had ever seen along Japan’s coasts. So, we decided to stay the night in this charming seaside town.
The Ise-Shima region is located in Mie Prefecture, at the southeastern tip of the Kii Peninsula. Its coastline is intricate and winding, with the ria-style coastal scenery, particularly in Ago Bay, being exactly the breathtaking view we had witnessed from the observation platform. Ago Bay is also the birthplace of Japan’s pearl cultivation. It was here that the renowned Mikimoto Kōkichi invented the pearl cultivation method. We could see the floating rafts on the surface of the sea used for cultivation, and the hot spring hotel we stayed at even had a special pearl bath. After soaking in it, our skin felt as though it had been coated with a layer of fine pearl powder, smooth and radiant.
Of course, Shima is also home to Japan’s traditional ama divers, women who free dive to harvest abalone, seaweed, and pearls. Visitors can tour the ama huts, observe their diving techniques, and learn about their unique way of life passed down through generations. However, we opted not to take part in this activity, choosing instead a more laid-back style of travel. In the following section, I’ll introduce the forest hot spring hotel we stayed at and share how it brought us into close contact with nature.