Situated on the Pacific coastline of Japan’s main island of Honshu, the Mie Prefecture encompasses a quiet and scenic area of Japan, offering a rich and varied natural landscape from ski-worthy mountains to tropical beaches. The area is best known for its towering Mount Gozaisho, which lies in the north with the Yunoyama Hot Springs at its base. With over 10 000 years of human habitation, the Mie area features an array of historical cultural sites including one of Japan’s holiest Shinto sites, the Ise Grand Shrine; the Kumano-Kodo pilgrimage routes; and the ancient port of Nihon Sanshin. Mie was also the birthplace of the ninja, so don’t miss the fascinating Iga Ninja Museum, dedicated to the history of the ninja and ninjutsu.