This time, we would like to introduce the little-known resort town of Minami-Ise town.

About 2 hours by car from Nagoya, located to the south of "Ise City" where Ise Jingu Shrine is, it is a town surrounded by the great nature of the sea and mountains.

Their seafoods are boasting the largest catch in Mie Prefecture, and magnificent scenery where fishing villages and farming villages coexist awaits you. There are many activities to enjoy nature, clear air and a sky full of stars. Minami-Ise town is full of attractions that can only be experienced here!

This time, we would like to introduce you to "Recommended for summer! Minami-Ise town". By the time you finish reading, you will surely want to go to Minami-Ise town on your next vacation.

Neighboring town of Oise-san, Minami-Ise town

First, we would like to introduce an overview of Minami-Ise town.

"Minami-Ise town" is located in the southeastern part of Mie Prefecture, next to Oise-san (Ise Jingu). More than half of the town is located in Ise-Shima National Park, with wonderful scenery from the ria coast and untouched nature from Gokasho Bay to Kowaura Bay. Current population is 12,139. (*As of August 5, 2020)

The amount of catch is the 5th in Japan, and the No. 1 in Mie Prefecture! Therefore, you can enjoy freshly caught seafood at a reasonable price. Minami-Ise town, with its mild climate, also cultivates a variety of citrus fruits, including Unshu mandarin oranges. It is truly a region blessed with both the sea and the mountains.

How to access from Nagoya?

A car is recommended for access to Minami-Ise. It takes bout 2 hours by car from Nagoya city. National Route 260, the main road in the town, has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Roads, making it perfect for driving!

When using public transportation, you can use both JR or Kintetsu trains and a car rental.

▼ Click here for details
https://www.town.minamiise.lg.jp/iju/881.html

Ise City, Toba City, and Shima City are each about 30 minutes away by car, so it is good to visit with the surrounding areas.

Recommended for summer!
A day trip plan to fully enjoy the nature of Minami-Ise town

This time, we would like to introduce you to "Recommended for summer! Minami-Ise town". The tour will focus on the west side of Minami-Ise town-cho, the Minamijima area.

<Day plan schedule>

11:00 Fishing experience at Yuei Suisan
13:00 Lunch at Arisue
14:30 "Togu Fudo Waterfall" which was also used as a movie location
15:30 Get souvenirs at Yamakichi

Experience fishing in the town that boasts the largest catch in Mie Prefecture!
Fishing experience at Yuei Suisan

First, let's experience fishing in "Minami Ise", a town that boasts the largest catch in Mie Prefecture.

I came to Minami-Ise town "Yuei Suisan" located in Asoura. They raise sea bream in their farm, which is the largest in Mie Prefecture.

Yuei Suisan offers an experience plan where you can enjoy the life of a fishing village, such as fishing experience, fish handling, making dried fish, and playing on the beach.

Board a fishing boat and cruise around the bay

Our guide will be Mr. Jun Hashimoto, the third generation of Yuei Suisan and an active fisherman. After graduating from university, Mr. Hashimoto traveled around the world. When he returned to his hometown one day, he saw the town's abandoned landscape and felt a sense of crisis that the town would disappear if things continued as they were, so he made a U-turn (going back to hometown).

Various efforts are being made, such as the "5670 (Corona Zero) Project," which sells red sea bream, whose shipment has been canceled due to the COVID-19, through the Internet.

Put on a life jacket, get on a fishing boat, and start your fishing experience!

I was worried that it would be quite wavy. I was worried that it would sway a lot, but it was more stable than I had imagined. It was a cloudy day, but the sea breeze was very comfortable.

This red bridge is Asoura Bridge. Together with Minamijima Ohashi, it is called "Parent and Child Ohashi".

Experience feeding farmed sea bream

First, experience feeding farmed sea bream. There are 3,500 sea bream in this fish tank alone. About 800 sea bream alone can be seen on the surface of the water.

By the way, the reason why the fish tanks are covered with a black net is to raise the sea bream to a beautiful red color. Sea bream, which originally lives in the deep sea, turns black in shallow water.

When I put the bait in, the sea bream gathered with great momentum!

The snapper's appetite was tremendous, splashing all over. I have never seen such a large number of sea bream before. Sea bream grown in the mineral-rich sea that flows from the Rias mountains is exceptional.

And the experience is not only feeding, but also the “experience of becoming a fish” where you can dive into a fish tank where sea bream swims. If you want to become a fish, please try it!

On the way to the fishing point, I was able to experience what it was like to be a captain. It was my first time to operate a fishing boat, but it was a lot of fun.

We have arrived at the fishing point. We catch fish with ultra-small fixed nets (jar nets). We will have to wait to see what we catch after we pull up! The day before this day, they caught a shark. (Sharks might be a little scary)

Together, pull up the net. It's heavier than I imagined!

After pulling up the net to some extent, hold the frame of the net and pull it up. There is something in it!

At the end, Mr. Hashimoto will pull it up.

We caught a big pikefish. He explains each type of fish to us one by one, saying, "This fish is like this. Mr. Hashimoto is also a certified fish meister, so he can teach you about a variety of fish.

We also caught two conger eels. They have very similar long torsos, but the shape of their mouths is different. When I touched it, it was more fluffy than I imagined. This is evidence of oily conger eel.

Various fish are landed one after another. The type of fish caught also changes with the season.

Such cute blowfish and small fish. Inedible fish and small fish are released into the sea.

This is the end of the fishing experience.

You can take the fish you have caught home with you for a fee. This time, I brought back pike conger and conger eel. The fish you catch yourself is exceptional!

Children can also experience the fishery, so please try becoming a fisherman with your family. It is a great opportunity for food education to learn how the fish you eat everyday is harvested!

[Fishing experience]※Crab net fishing is available during the closed season in September and October.
Fee: 3,000 yen/person (1,500 yen for junior high school students and younger)
Number of participants ：Available for 3-20 people
Phone number ：090-7850-4064 (Available hours: 9 :00~19:00)

*Please come in clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting wet.

https://marukinmaru.com/taiken/

Buy fresh fish at Yuei Suisan!

At the Yuei Suisan store, you can buy not only red sea bream, but also handmade dried fish, shellfish such as turban shells, abalone, and oysters, as well as fresh fish procured from the market. Recommended as a souvenir from your trip!

[YUEI Suisan]
Address ：Tokai-gun, Mie Prefecture Minami-Ise town 345 Asoura
Phone number ：0596-72-1351
Business hours: 8:00-18:00
Regular holiday ：Non-scheduled holidays
Parking lot ：5 cars

https://yuuei.co.jp/

Guest house with fisherman
"Marukin-Maru"

Next, we visited Marukin-maru, a fisherman's guesthouse run by Yuei Suisan. As a fishing village experience type guest house, they offer services that you can't usually experience, such as the "fisherman experience" and "fish handling experience" introduced earlier.

A renovated old house. Showers and toilets have been modernized. The whole building is rented, so you can spend time only with your family and friends.

There is no meal included, but there is a BBQ space, so please enjoy seafood BBQ with seafood from Minami Ise. You can stay like you live in an inn where you can feel the daily life of a fishing village.

[Guesthouse "Marukin-maru" with fishermen]
Address ：345 Asoura, Mie Prefecture Minami-Ise town
Phone number ：090-7850-4064（Available hours: 9:00~19:00)
Accommodation fee ： 15,000 yen (tax not included) for a single house up to 5 people ※Consultation required for more than 6 people

https://marukinmaru.com/