Ise-Shima National Park

The Ise-Shima National Park lies on the Shima Peninsula, which forms the southeastern part of Mie prefecture on Honshu. The beautiful coast facing on to the Pacific is indented by many bays and inlets; offshore are many small islands; the coastal region is covered with subtropical vegetation; and inland are dense forests. The main feature of interest is the Ise Shrines revered as one of the most sacred places in Japan.

The northern gateway to the National Park is the town of Ise (pop 106,000) formed by the amalgamation of Uji and Yamada, with the administrative office of the Ise Shrines and their library, richly stocked with Shinto literature. Also in the town are the Chokokan Museum (antiquities) and the Nogyokan Museum (agriculture). A traditional local dance, the Ise-ondo, is performed to the music of Shamisen and Kokyu (similar to guitars and fiddles).