The highlights of Shima-area in Mie prefecture exist both in the inner sea area which is mainly located inside Ago Bay and in the outer sea area which is mainly located in Daiosaki facing to vast Pacific Ocean. This inner area consists of specific landscape as Rias Coast of Shima whose top is plane in contrast with that of Rias Coast of Sanriku Coast located in the northernmost of Japan. Lots of tress such as Pasania and Oak of laurel forest grown up cover the island as if it is broccoli. The landscape which is created by about 60 pieces various size of island such as “Kashikojima” is so bright and has felt us as if we are in southern island.

Outer sea near Daiosaki also consists of Rias Coast. The specific landscape is created by the lighthouse located in the tip of Daiosaki cape, vast Pacific Ocean and rough wave splashed created by the crash with rocks on the sea.

The famous specialties in Shima area are produced by the specific characteristic of landform.
(a) Pearl artificially raised at the first time in the world:
Pearl artificially raised at the first time in the world: Mr.Mikimoto achieved the cultivation in 1893 and mass production as a business. This pearl Is raised as follows.
(b) Seacoast of Kii peninsula as original source of dried bonito :
From ancient period, lots of bonitos has been gained in the seacoast of Kii Peninsula where Kuroshio current flows from south with bonitos.
The dried bonito was invented in this area to preserve and distribute to common people.
The best suitable coal named “Bichoutan coal” is used which is gained by oak grown in Kii peninsula.(c)Abalone gained from outer sea in Kii Peninsula:
The structure of Rias Coast of Shima is rock wall one with jagged shape which has been shaped during the landform process in ancient period. This jagged structure of rock wall under the outer sea is suitable for abalone being lived. Lots of abalone has been gained by fishermen from ancient period up to now.

1) The place where you can experience:
(a) Yokoyama Observation deck:
Yokoyama Observation deck is located in the south of Shima peninsula which is from about 3km north from Ago bay and Kashikojima island with 203mter altitude.

From the observation deck, you can see the beautiful landscape including about 60 numbers of small island floated on the bay and small peninsulas projected with multiple layers. This landscape is registered as one-star of Michelin green guide Japan. 

(b) Kashikojima Espana cruise:
This cruise provides you a service which ship around Ago bay by a cruise ship modeled after the excursion ship of Spain in 16th century.
It takes about 50 minutes to ship around the bay reaching to the boarder between Pacific ocean and Shim peninsula. The sightseeing of pearl cultivation factory is included and you can see the process of setting a nuclear into Akoya oyster.

Landscape of Ago bay seen from a cruise:
There are many kinds of resort houses surrounded in Ago Bay.
Shima intercontinental sea village which has imagined us as if you are in intercontinental sea of Europe.

The buoy seen on the sea is raft for pearl cultivation:

You can see Pacific Ocean from the place which is located in the tip of Shima peninsula jagged there.

Mikimoto pearl island where Mr. Mikimoto Koukichi had success to cultivate pearl for the first time in the world and established pearl industry in Japan:
In the island, pearl museum where the manufacturing process of pearl, art exhibits and pearl jewels can be seen.

During the cruising, you drop in the pearl factory where you can see the process of setting a nuclear into Akoya oyster.

Japanese houses set on the top hill of the island are for Mr. Mikimoto and the pearl cultivation factories can be seen along with the island coast.

2) The place where you can enjoy:
(a) Sightseeing the surrounding area of Daiosaki:
This area is famous for the town of art painters where beautiful landscapes such as the lighthouse standing in the cliff, old houses along the fishermen’s town, narrow sloping pass made by stone pavements and so-on are provided for them.

(b) Yahata park:
This park is located in the top hill where a castle of Kuki navy used to be built. You can see the panoramic view of Daiosaki lighthouse and the Pacific Ocean from here.  A bronze statue of a painter is set here.

(c) Daiosaki lighthouse:
This is set on Daiosaki which is the hard sea area that divides Kumano basin and Enshu basin.  The shipping near the area used to be scared by sailors.  This lighthouse was built in 1972 to prevent the shipping accidents occurred during the beginning of 20th century.

At present, this lighthouse is used for only sightseeing purpose and you can see the beautiful landscape such as old towns with stone sloping pass and the Pacific Ocean including Atsumi peninsula and Kamishima island in the distance.

(d) Namikiri shrine:
According to a legend, it is said that a giant priest with one eye and one leg named “Dandara priest” had used to live in Daio island located in the offshore of Daiosaki and he had escaped from Daiosaki area because he had been frightened by a giant sandals which a giant had worn who had lived in the village. In Daiosaki, the custom to knit giant sandals and throw them into the sea to prevent “Dandara priest” come back here. It is said that a Shinto ritual named “Warajibiki: drawing sandals” of Namikiri shrine has started due to the legend.
A sloping path in the south side of the shrine. This sloping stone path leads to main hall of the shrine.  Giant sandals are conveyed through this path during the Waraji sandals festival.

Japan Van prepares various tour itineraries for you to enjoy the view in Japan.
The minimum itinerary days is more than 5 days.
Contents of our service: We can arrange a car and a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter for your trip.

Car charter and a guide condition
1Number of tourists:  2pax – 12pax
2Charter time and guide condition:  12 hours (including 4 hours resting time)