is a prefecture

Prefectures of Japan

The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 subnational jurisdictions: one "metropolis" , Tokyo; one "circuit" , Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures , Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures . In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as...

 of Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 which is part of the Kansai

Kansai

The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...

 regions on Honshū

Honshu

is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...

 island

Island

An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...

. The capital is the city of Tsu

Tsu, Mie

is the capital of Mie Prefecture, Japan. The city of Tsu is located on Ise Bay, east of the city. Tsu is bounded to the north by Suzuka and Kameyama; to the west by Iga, Nabari, and Nara Prefecture; and to the south by Matsuzaka city.-History:...

.

History

Until the Meiji Restoration

Meiji Restoration

The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...

, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province.

Evidence of human habitation in Mie dates back more than 10,000 years. During the Jōmon

Jomon period

The is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14,000 BC to 300 BC.The term jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese. This refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them...

 and Yayoi

Yayoi period

The is an Iron Age era in the history of Japan traditionally dated 300 BC to 300 AD. It is named after the neighbourhood of Tokyo where archaeologists first uncovered artifacts and features from that era. Distinguishing characteristics of the Yayoi period include the appearance of new...

 periods, agricultural communities began to form along the river and coastal areas of the region. Ise Shrine

Ise Shrine

is a Shinto shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, located in the city of Ise in Mie prefecture, Japan. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is in fact a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and ....

 is said to have been established during the Yayoi period, and in the 7th century the Saikū Imperial Residence

Saiku

, also known as "Itsukinomiya" , was a village located approximately 10 kilometers north-west of Ise Shrine, arguably the most significant Shinto shrine in Japan...

 was built in what is now Meiwa Town

Meiwa, Mie

is a town located in the Taki District, of central Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan.In 1958, the town of Sanwa and the village of Saimei merged to form the town of Meiwa.-History:...

 to serve as both a residence and administrative centre for the Saiō

Saio

A , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Japanese emperor, sent to Ise to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century. The Saiō's residence, Saikū , was approximately 10 km north-west of the shrine...

, an Imperial Princess who served as High Priestess of Ise Shrine.

During the Edo period

Edo period

The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....

, the area now known as Mie Prefecture consisted of several feudal domains, each ruled by an appointed lord. Transport networks, including the Tokaido and Ise Roads, were built. Port towns such as Ohminato, Kuwana

Kuwana, Mie

is a city located in the northern end of Mie Prefecture, Japan. It is known as a major sightseeing city in the prefecture. Located at the mouth of the three rivers dividing Mie and Aichi prefectures, the city has functioned as a regional center of fishing, industry, business, and culture.As of...

 and Anōtsu, posting stations and castle towns flourished. Pilgrimages to Ise Shrine also became very popular.

After the Meiji Restoration

Meiji Restoration

The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...

, the former provinces of Ise

Ise Province

or was a province of Japan including most of modern Mie Prefecture. Ise bordered Iga, Kii, Mino, Ōmi, Owari, Shima, and Yamato Provinces.The ancient provincial capital was at Suzuka...

, Shima

Shima Province

or was a province of Japan which consisted of a peninsula in the southeastern part of modern Mie Prefecture. Part of the Tōkaidō, Shima bordered Ise Province, and was the smallest of the provinces....

, and Iga

Iga Province

was an old province of Japan in the area that is today western Mie Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Iga bordered on Ise, Ōmi, Yamato, and Yamashiro Provinces.-Geography:...

 as well as a portion of eastern Kii

Kii Province

, or , was a province of Japan in the part of Honshū that is today Wakayama Prefecture, as well as the southern part of Mie Prefecture. Kii bordered Ise, Izumi, Kawachi, Shima, and Yamato Provinces. The Kii Peninsula takes its name from this province....

, were organized and reorganized repeatedly. In 1871 the area from the Kiso Three Rivers

Kiso Three Rivers

The refers to the three major rivers that make up the alluvial plain area of the Nōbi Plain of Japan. The three rivers are the Kiso River, the Ibi River and the Nagara River...

 in the north to present-day Tsu

Tsu, Mie

is the capital of Mie Prefecture, Japan. The city of Tsu is located on Ise Bay, east of the city. Tsu is bounded to the north by Suzuka and Kameyama; to the west by Iga, Nabari, and Nara Prefecture; and to the south by Matsuzaka city.-History:...

 became Anōtsu Prefecture, and the area south of that became Watarai Prefecture. In 1872, the Anōtsu prefectural seat moved from Tsu

Tsu, Mie

is the capital of Mie Prefecture, Japan. The city of Tsu is located on Ise Bay, east of the city. Tsu is bounded to the north by Suzuka and Kameyama; to the west by Iga, Nabari, and Nara Prefecture; and to the south by Matsuzaka city.-History:...

 to Yokkaichi

Yokkaichi, Mie

is a city located in Mie, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 314,393. The total area is 205.53 km².The closest major city is Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture....

, and the prefecture itself was renamed Mie. For a variety of reasons, including the strong likelihood that Mie would eventually merge with Watarai, the prefectural seat returned to Tsu the following year, and Mie Prefecture took its present-day form in 1876, when it merged with its southern neighbor.

The name Mie supposedly was taken from a comment about the region made by Yamato Takeru

Yamato Takeru

, originally Prince Ousu was a Japanese legendary prince of the Yamato dynasty, son of Keikō of Yamato, a legendary monarch who is traditionally counted as the 12th Tennō or Emperor of Japan. The tragic tale of this impressive figure is told in the Japanese chronicles Kojiki and Nihon Shoki...

 on his way back from conquering the eastern regions.

In 1959, many lives were lost as parts of Mie were devastated by the Ise-wan Typhoon, the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in recorded history. Crops were destroyed, sea walls ruined, roads and railways damaged and a substantial number of people were injured or left homeless.

Geography

Mie Prefecture forms the eastern part of the Kii Peninsula

Kii Peninsula

The is the largest peninsula on the island of Honshū in Japan. The area south of the “Central Tectonic Line” is called Nankii , and includes the most poleward living coral reefs in the world due to the presence of the warm Kuroshio Current, though these are threatened by global warming and human...

, and is bordered by Aichi

Aichi Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...

, Gifu

Gifu Prefecture

is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...

, Shiga

Shiga Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan, which forms part of the Kansai region on Honshu Island. The capital is the city of Ōtsu.- History :Shiga was known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū before the prefectural system was established...

, Kyoto

Kyoto Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Kyoto prefecture was known as Yamashiro....

, Nara

Nara Prefecture

is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....

, and Wakayama

Wakayama Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Wakayama.- History :Present-day Wakayama is mostly the western part of the province of Kii.- 1953 Wakayama Prefecture flood disaster :...

. It is considered to be a part of the Kansai

Kansai

The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...

 and Tōkai

Tokai region

The is a sub-region of the Chūbu region in Japan that runs along the Pacific Ocean. The name means "East sea" and comes from the Tōkaidō, one of the Edo Five Routes...

 regions due to its geographical proximity to Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...

 and its cultural influence from Kansai

Kansai

The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...

, such as the fact that Kansai dialect is spoken in Mie. Traditionally, though, the Iga

Iga, Mie

was a town located in Ayama District, Mie Prefecture, Japan.On November 1, 2004 Iga absorbed the old city of Ueno, the towns of Ayama, the villages of Ōyamada and Shimagahara, all from Ayama District, and the town of Aoyama, from Naga District, to become the new city of Iga.-Geography:Located on...

 region of Mie is considered to have always been a part of Kansai

Kansai

The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...

.
Mie Prefecture measures 170 km (106 mi) from north to south, and 80 km (50 mi) from east to west, and is made up of 5 distinct geographical areas. The north-west of Mie consists of the Suzuka Mountains, along the coast of Ise Bay

Ise Bay

Ise Bay is a bay located at the mouth of the Kiso River between Mie and Aichi Prefectures in Japan. Ise Bay has an average depth of 19.5 metres and a maximum depth of 30 metres toward the centre. The mouth of the bay is 9 kilometres wide and is connected to the smaller Mikawa Bay by two channels:...

 from the Aichi

Aichi Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...

 border to Ise City

Ise, Mie

, formerly called Ujiyamada , is a city located in eastern Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan.Ise is home to Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shintō Shrine in Japan, and is thus a very popular destination for tourists. The city has a long-standing nickname—Shinto —that roughly means...

 is the Ise Plain, where most of the population of Mie live, south of the Ise Plain is the Shima Peninsula

Shima, Mie

is a city located in Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshu, Japan.The city was formed on October 1, 2004, by the merger of all five towns from Shima District, which was dissolved by the merger....

, bordering Nara

Nara Prefecture

is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....

 in the central-west is the Iga Basin

Iga, Mie

was a town located in Ayama District, Mie Prefecture, Japan.On November 1, 2004 Iga absorbed the old city of Ueno, the towns of Ayama, the villages of Ōyamada and Shimagahara, all from Ayama District, and the town of Aoyama, from Naga District, to become the new city of Iga.-Geography:Located on...

, and running from central Mie to its southern borders is the Nunobiki Mountainous Region.

Mie has a coastline that stretches 1,094.9 km and, as of 2000, Mie's 5,776.44 km² landmass can be divided into 64.8% forest

Forest

A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...

, 11.5% agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...

, 6% residential area, 3.8% road

Road

A road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any...

s, and 3.6% river

River

A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...

s. The remaining 10.3% are not classified. The Ise Plain has a relatively moderate climate, averaging 14 to 15 degrees Celsius for the year. The Iga Basin has more daily temperature variance and averages temperatures 1 to 2 degrees cooler than the Ise Plain. Southern Mie, south of the Shima Peninsula, has a warmer Pacific

Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...

 marine climate, with Owase Region

Owase, Mie

is a city located in the south of Mie, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 21,002 and the density of 109 persons per km². The total area is 193.16 km²....

 having one of the heaviest rainfall figures for all of Japan.

Cities

Fourteen cities are located in Mie Prefecture:

Iga Iga, Mie was a town located in Ayama District, Mie Prefecture, Japan.On November 1, 2004 Iga absorbed the old city of Ueno, the towns of Ayama, the villages of Ōyamada and Shimagahara, all from Ayama District, and the town of Aoyama, from Naga District, to become the new city of Iga.-Geography:Located on... Inabe Inabe, Mie , is a city located in the northernmost tip of Mie Prefecture in Japan along the border with Gifu and Shiga prefectures. The city was formed on December 1, 2003 from the merger of the towns of Inabe, Hokusei, Daian and Fujiwara, all from Inabe District.... Ise Ise, Mie , formerly called Ujiyamada , is a city located in eastern Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan.Ise is home to Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shintō Shrine in Japan, and is thus a very popular destination for tourists. The city has a long-standing nickname—Shinto —that roughly means... Kameyama Kameyama, Mie is a city located in Mie Prefecture, Japan.As of 2006, the city has an estimated population of 48,902 and the density of 256.15 persons per km². The total area is 190.91 km².The city was founded on October 1, 1954.... Kumano Kumano, Mie is a city located in Mie, Japan.The city was founded on November 3, 1954.On November 1, 2005 the town of Kiwa, from Minamimuro District, was merged into Kumano.... Kuwana Kuwana, Mie is a city located in the northern end of Mie Prefecture, Japan. It is known as a major sightseeing city in the prefecture. Located at the mouth of the three rivers dividing Mie and Aichi prefectures, the city has functioned as a regional center of fishing, industry, business, and culture.As of... Matsusaka Matsusaka, Mie , sometimes called Matsuzaka, is a city located in central Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan. The city is famous for its beef.-Founding:...

Nabari Nabari, Mie is a city located in Mie, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 82,739 and the density of 637.63 persons per km². The total area is 129.76 km².The city was founded on March 31, 1954.-Sightseeing Spot:... Owase Owase, Mie is a city located in the south of Mie, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 21,002 and the density of 109 persons per km². The total area is 193.16 km².... Shima Shima, Mie is a city located in Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshu, Japan.The city was formed on October 1, 2004, by the merger of all five towns from Shima District, which was dissolved by the merger.... Suzuka Suzuka, Mie is a city located in Mie, Japan.As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 198,716 and the density of 1,020 people per km². The total area is 194.67 km².Located about 83 km east from Nara, and 52 km southwest from Nagoya.-History:... Toba Toba, Mie is a city in Mie, Japan.Toba is the site of the Toba Aquarium, which houses such animals as dugongs, African manatees, porpoises, and a wide-variety of aquatic life.... Tsu Tsu, Mie is the capital of Mie Prefecture, Japan. The city of Tsu is located on Ise Bay, east of the city. Tsu is bounded to the north by Suzuka and Kameyama; to the west by Iga, Nabari, and Nara Prefecture; and to the south by Matsuzaka city.-History:...  (capital) Yokkaichi Yokkaichi, Mie is a city located in Mie, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 314,393. The total area is 205.53 km².The closest major city is Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture....

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district

Districts of Japan

The was most recently used as an administrative unit in Japan between 1878 and 1921 and is roughly equivalent to the county of the United States, ranking at the level below prefecture and above city, town or village. As of 2008, cities belong directly to prefectures and are independent from...

.

Inabe District Inabe District, Mie Inabe is a district located in Mie, Japan.As of 2005, the town has an estimated population of 26,312 and a density of 1,161.2 people per km². The total area is 22.66 km².-Mergers:... Tōin Toin, Mie is a town located in Inabe District, Mie, Japan.In 2010, the town had an estimated population of 25,448 and a population density of 1,123 people per km². The total area is 22.66 km².-External links:*... Kitamuro District Kihoku Kihoku, Mie is a town in Kitamuro District, Mie, Japan. The town was founded on October 11, 2005 from the merger of the towns of Miyama and Kiinagashima.As of April 1, 2010, the town has an estimated population of 18,283 and density of 71.1 persons per km². The total area is 257.01 km². Kihoku is surrounded... Kuwana District Kuwana District, Mie Kuwana is a district located in Mie, Japan.As of the December, 2004 merger but with 2003 population estimates, the district has an estimated population of 7,091 and a density of 451 persons per km². The total area is 15.72 km².-Mergers:... Kisosaki Kisosaki, Mie is a town located in Kuwana District, Mie, Japan.As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 6,708 and a density of 427 persons per km². The total area is 15.72 km².-External links:*...

Mie District Mie District, Mie Mie is a district located in Mie, Japan.As of the Kusu merger but with 2003 population estimates, the district has an estimated population of 57,507 and a density of 473 persons per km². The total area is 121.59 km².-Merger:... Asahi Asahi, Mie is a town located in Mie District, Mie, Japan.As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 9,502 and a density of 1,586 persons per km². The total area is 5.99 km².-External links:*... Kawagoe Kawagoe, Mie is a town located in Mie District, Mie, Japan.As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 13,906 and a density of 1,597 persons per km². The total area is 8.71 km².-External links:*... Komono Komono, Mie is a town located in Mie District, Mie, Japan.As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 40,133 and a density of 375 persons per km². The total area is 106.89 km².-Education:... Minamimuro District Kihō Kiho, Mie is a town located in Minamimuro District, Mie, Japan.On January 10, 2006 the village of Udono from Minamimuro District was merged into Kihō.As of 2010 the town has an estimated population of 12,007 and a density of 151 persons per km². The total area is 79.66 km².-External links:*... Mihama Mihama, Mie is a town located in Minamimuro District, Mie, Japan.As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 9,489 and a density of 107 persons per km². The total area is 88.28 km²....

Taki District Taki District, Mie Taki is a district located in Mie, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 49,800 and a density of 98.23 persons per km². The total area is 506.97 km².-Mergers:... Meiwa Meiwa, Mie is a town located in the Taki District, of central Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan.In 1958, the town of Sanwa and the village of Saimei merged to form the town of Meiwa.-History:... Ōdai Odai, Mie is a town located in Taki District, central Mie, on the island of Honshū, Japan.On January 10, 2006 the village of Miyagawa, from Taki District, was merged into Ōdai.... Taki Taki, Mie is a town in Taki District, Mie, Japan.On January 1, 2006 the village of Seiwa, from Taki District, was merged into Taki.As of 2010 the town has an estimated population of 15,457 and a density of 150 persons per km²... Watarai District Minamiise Minamiise, Mie is a town located in Watarai District, Mie, Japan. The town was formed on October 1, 2005 from the merger of the towns of Nansei and Nantō, both from Watarai District.... Taiki Taiki, Mie is a town located in Watarai District, Mie, Japan. The town was formed on February 14, 2005 from the merger of the towns of Kisei and Ōmiya and the village of Ōuchiyama.... Tamaki Tamaki, Mie is a town located in Watarai District, Mie, Japan.As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 15,268 and a density of 373 persons per km². The total area is 40.94 km².... Watarai Watarai, Mie is a town located in Watarai District, Mie, Japan.As of 2010, the town has an estimated population of 8,732 and a density of 64.7 persons per km². The total area is 134.97 km².-External links:*...

Economy

Mie Prefecture has traditionally been a link between east and west Japan, thanks largely to the Tokaido and Ise Pilgrimage Roads. Traditional handicrafts such as Iga Braid, Yokkaichi Banko Pottery, Suzuka Ink, Iga Pottery and Ise Katagami

Katazome

Katazome is a Japanese method of dyeing fabrics using a resist paste applied through a stencil. With this kind of resist dyeing, a rice flour mixture is applied using a brush or a tool such as a palette knife. Pigment is added by hand-painting, immersion or both...

 flourished. With 65% of the prefecture consisting of forests and with over 1000 km (621 mi) of coastline, Mie has a long been associated with forestry and seafood industries. As well as this, Mie produces tea

Green tea

Green tea is made solely from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. It has recently become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally...

, beef

Matsusaka beef

is black-haired wagyū , aka "Kuroge Washu" or "Japanese Black", originating in the Matsusaka region of Mie, Japan. It is one of the most famous beef types within Japan and internationally, with a high fat-to-meat ratio...

, cultured pearl

Cultured pearl

A cultured pearl is a pearl created by a pearl farmer under controlled conditions.-Development of a pearl:A pearl is formed when the mantle tissue is injured by a parasite, an attack of a fish or another event that damages the external fragile rim of the shell of a molluc shell bivalve or gastropod...

s and fruit, mainly mandarin orange

Mandarin orange

The orange, also known as the ' or mandarine , is a small citrus tree with fruit resembling other oranges. Mandarin oranges are usually eaten plain or in fruit salads...

s. Food production companies include Azuma Foods.

Northern Mie is home to a number of manufacturing industries, mainly transport machinery manufacturing (vehicles and ships) and heavy chemical industries such as oil refineries. As well as this, Mie Prefecture is expanding into more advanced industries including the manufacture of semiconductors and liquid crystal displays.

Demographics

Mie Prefecture Demographics (as of 2006)
Total Population	1,867,696
Male Population	908,440
Female Population	959,256
Population Age Under 15	263,697
Population Aged 15 to 64	1,190,615
Population Aged Over 64	411,063
Number of Households	688,088
Population Density (per km2)	323.3

Universities

• Yokkaichi
  • Yokkaichi University
    Yokkaichi University
    is a private university in Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan. The predecessor of the school, women's school, was founded in 1946, and it was chartered as a university in 1988.-External links:*...
    
    
  • Yokkaichi Nursing and Medical Care University
    Yokkaichi Nursing and Medical Care University
    is a private university in Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan, established in 2007.-External links:*...
    
    
• Suzuka
  • Suzuka International University
    Suzuka International University
    is a private university in Suzuka, Mie, Japan, established in 1994.-External links:*...
    
    
  • Suzuka University of Medical Science
    Suzuka University of Medical Science
    is a private university in Matsusaka, Mie, Japan, established in 1991. The present name was adopted in 1998.-External links:*...
    
    
• Tsu
  • Mie University
    Mie University
    Mie University is a national university in Tsu, Mie, Japan. As with other 'national' universities, 'Miedai' has been a national university corporation since April 2004, when state-funded universities were partially privatised...
    
    
  • Mie Prefectural College of Nursing
    Mie Prefectural College of Nursing
    is a public university in Tsu, Mie, Japan....
    
    
• Matsuzaka
  • Mie Chukyo University
    Mie Chukyo University
    is a private university in Matsusaka, Mie, Japan, established in 1982. Formerly known as Matsusaka University, the school adopted the present name in 2005.-External links:*...
    
    
• Ise
  • Kogakkan University
    Kogakkan University
    is a private university at Ise, Mie, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1882, and it was chartered as a university in 1940.- External links :*...
    
    

Famous places

• Ise Grand Shrine - Japan's holiest Shinto shrine.
• Kumano Kodō
  Kumano Kodo
  The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest Peninsula of Japan. These sacred trails were and are still used for the pilgrimage to the sacred site "Kumano Sanzan" The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest...
  
   - World Heritage Site
  World Heritage Site
  A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
  
  . Ancient road in southern Mie once used by pilgrims.
• Iga-Ueno
  Iga, Mie
  was a town located in Ayama District, Mie Prefecture, Japan.On November 1, 2004 Iga absorbed the old city of Ueno, the towns of Ayama, the villages of Ōyamada and Shimagahara, all from Ayama District, and the town of Aoyama, from Naga District, to become the new city of Iga.-Geography:Located on...
  
   - Birthplace of the ninja
  Ninja
  A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
  
   and home to the Iga Ninja Museum.
• Sakakibara Onsen - Famous onsen
  Onsen
  An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
  
   near Tsu. Rumored to be the 3rd best onsen in Japan.
• Yunoyama Onsen
  Yunoyama Onsen
  , or Yunoyama Hot Springs, is a hot springs resort located near Mount Gozaisho in the town of Komono , Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshū, Japan.It is a tourism location and is accessible via the Kintetsu Yunoyama Line....
  
   - Famous onsen near Yokkaichi that sits atop Mount Gozaisho
  Mount Gozaisho
  is a Japanese mountain located on the border of Komono, Mie Prefecture and Higashi-Ōmi, Shiga Prefecture.This mountain is the center of Suzuka Quasi-National Park.-Outline:...
  
  .
• Nagashima Spa Land
  Nagashima Spa Land
  is a major amusement park in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It features several roller coasters, a giant Ferris wheel, and a water park.-Roller coasters:*Children Coaster*Corkscrew*Jet Coaster*Looping Star*Shuttle Loop*Steel Dragon 2000*Ultra Twister...
  
   - One of the largest amusement parks in Japan, located in Kuwana.
• Mikimoto Pearl Island
  Mikimoto Pearl Island
  is a small island which is located in Toba, Mie, Japan.This island is known as the birthplace of pearl cultivation and it belong to . This company runs this island as a leisure site.They exhibit pearl craft goods and you can watch ama divers shows.- History :...
  
   - Museum in Toba that is dedicated to Kōkichi Mikimoto
  Kokichi Mikimoto
  was a Japanese entrepreneur and adopter of the Mise/Nishikawa technique for production of synthetic cultured pearls.-Early life:Born as the first son of an udon shop owner in Toba, Shima Province , Mikimoto left school at the age of 13 and sold vegetables to support his family...
  
  , inventor of pearl
  Pearl
  A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other...
  
   cultivation.
• The Wedded Rocks
  Meoto Iwa
  , or the Loved one-and-loved one Rocks, are a couple of small rocky stacks in the sea off Futami, Mie, Japan. They are joined by a shimenawa and are considered sacred by worshippers at the neighbouring Futami Okitama Shrine . According to Shinto, the rocks represent the union of the creator of...
  
   of Okitama Shrine in Futami
  Futami, Mie
  was a town in Watarai District, Mie, Japan.On November 1, 2005 Futami, along with the town of Obata, and the village of Misono, all from Watarai District, was merged into the expanded city of Ise and no longer exists as an independent municipality....
  
   (now part of the city of Ise)
• Suzuka Circuit
  Suzuka Circuit
  , Suzuka Circuit for short, is a motorsport race track located in Ino, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan and operated by Mobilityland Corporation, the subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd..-Introduction:...
  
   - Japan's most famous racetrack.
• Saikū
  Saiku
  , also known as "Itsukinomiya" , was a village located approximately 10 kilometers north-west of Ise Shrine, arguably the most significant Shinto shrine in Japan...
  
   - Site of Heian
  Heian period
  The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
  
   Imperial residence, with modern museum and reconstructed Heian building.

Famous citizens

• Kōdayu Daikokuya
  Daikokuya Kōdayū
  was a Japanese castaway who spent eleven years in Russia.His ship landed at Amchitka, Aleutian Islands. They managed to escape to the Russian mainland and had Catherine the Great allow them to go back to Japan by Kirill Laxman's effort with Alexander Bezborodko and Alexander Vorontsov...
  
  , a Japanese castaway
  Castaway
  A castaway is a person who is cast adrift or ashore. While the situation usually happens after a shipwreck, some people voluntarily stay behind on a deserted island, either to evade their captors or the world in general. Alternatively, a person or item can be cast away, meaning rejected or discarded...
  
   who spent eleven years in Russia
  Russia
  Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
  
  .
• Hakaru Hashimoto
  Hashimoto Hakaru
  was a Japanese medical scientist of the Meiji period and Taishō period.He was born on May 5, 1881, in the village of Midau, Nishitsuge, in Mie Prefecture. He graduated from Kyushu University medical school in 1907...
  
  , medical scientist.
• Kōkichi Mikimoto, founder of the cultured pearl industry.
• Matsuo Bashō
  Matsuo Basho
  , born , then , was the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan. During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no renga form; today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as a master of brief and clear haiku...
  
  , the most famous poet of the Edo period
  Edo period
  The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
  
  , renowned for his haiku
  Haiku
  ' , plural haiku, is a very short form of Japanese poetry typically characterised by three qualities:* The essence of haiku is "cutting"...
  
  .
• Mitsui Takatoshi
  Mitsui Takatoshi
  , founder of the Mitsui conglomerate. The second son of Mitsui Sokubei, a grocer and pawnbroker of Matsusaka , in Mie, he showed a remarkably precocious talent for business from an early age, and, moving to Edo at 14 years of age, where he was later joined by his brothers Toshigutsu, and...
  
  , founder of the Mitsui
  Mitsui
  is one of the largest corporate conglomerates in Japan and one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world.-History:Founded by Mitsui Takatoshi , who was the fourth son of a shopkeeper in Matsusaka, in what is now today's Mie prefecture...
  
   Group.
• Norinaga Motoori, a Japanese scholar of Kokugaku
  Kokugaku
  Kokugaku was a National revival, or, school of Japanese philology and philosophy originating during the Tokugawa period...
  
   during the Edo period
  Edo period
  The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
  
  .
• Ranpo Edogawa, famous mystery novelist.
• Takeshiro Matsuura, an explorer who gave the name "Hokkaidō
  Hokkaido
  , formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
  
  " to Japan's northern island.
• Yukio Ozaki
  Yukio Ozaki
  was a liberal Japanese politician, born in modern-day Sagamihara, Kanagawa. Ozaki served in the House of Representatives of the Japanese Diet for 63 years, from 1890-1953...
  
  , a politician said to be the father of Japan's constitutional government.
• Zuiken Kawamura, a powerful businessman during the early Edo Period
  Edo period
  The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
  
  .
• Keiichi Yabu
  Keiichi Yabu
  is a Japanese baseball pitching coach for the Hanshin Tigers and a former baseball pitcher...
  
  , Relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants
  San Francisco Giants
  The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
  
  
• Die (musician)
  Die (musician)
  Die is a Japanese musician and one of the guitarists of Dir en grey. He has been with the band since its inception in 1997 and was previously a member of La:Sadie's and before that he was in Ka･za･ri...
  
  , Guitarist for Dir en grey
• Aoi (musician), Guitarist for the GazettE
  The Gazette
  The Gazette is a title of several newspapers and magazines, including:-English-language newspapers:*London Gazette, the official publication of the government of the United Kingdom...
  
  
• Yumehito (musician), Guitarist for Ayabie
  Ayabie
  , was a Japanese visual kei band signed to the label Tokuma Japan Communications. Their music consisted of a wide variety of sounds and moods, ranging from catchy and upbeat to heavy and hard-edged punk songs. Many of the band's costumes were designed by ID Japan or H. Naoto...
  
  
• Hiroshi Okuda
  Hiroshi Okuda
  Hiroshi Okuda , was chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation from 1999 to 2006. He became president of Toyota in 1995 and has worked at the corporation for 50 years...
  
  , Chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation
  Toyota Motor Corporation
  , , , commonly known simply as Toyota and abbreviated as TMC, is a multinational automaker headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. In 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation employed 317,734 people worldwide, and was the world's largest automobile manufacturer by production.The company was founded by...
  
  , chairman of the Japan Business Federation
  Japan Business Federation
  is an economic organization founded in May 2002 by amalgamation of Keidanren and Nikkeiren...
  
  
• Yasujirō Ozu
  Yasujiro Ozu
  was a prominent Japanese film director and script writer. He is known for his distinctive technical style, developed during the silent era. Marriage and family, especially the relationships between the generations, are among the most persistent themes in his body of work...
  
  , famous filmmaker
• Norinaga Motoori, Scholar of Kokugaku
  Kokugaku
  Kokugaku was a National revival, or, school of Japanese philology and philosophy originating during the Tokugawa period...
  
   during the Edo period
  Edo period
  The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
  
  
• Mizuki Noguchi
  Mizuki Noguchi
  is a Japanese professional long-distance runner who specialises in the marathon event. She is an Olympic champion over the distance and set two world records in 2005....
  
  , the Gold Medalist
  Gold medal
  A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
  
   in the Women's Marathon event in the 2004 Summer Olympics
  2004 Summer Olympics
  The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
  
   in Athens
  Athens
  Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
  
  ,
• Miwa Asao
  Miwa Asao
  is a female Japanese beach volleyball player. Often referred to in media reports as the "pixie of beach volleyball" or simply "pixie of the beach" for her good looks, Asao has helped to popularize beach volleyball in Japan while herself becoming a national celebrity through her numerous appearances...
  
  , beach volleyball player
• Ken Hirai
  Ken Hirai
  is a Japanese R&B and pop singer. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and spokesperson.During his career, Hirai has released 32 singles and 11 albums up until October 2010. According to Oricon, his single Hitomi Wo Tojite became the best-selling single...
  
  , Japanese R&B and pop singer.
• Katsuya Okada
  Katsuya Okada
  is a Japanese politician. A member of the House of Representatives of Japan, he is Secretary-General of the Democratic Party of Japan and was previously its President. From September 2009 to September 2010, he was Foreign Minister of Japan....
  
  , former Foreign Minister, current DPJ
  Democratic Party of Japan
  The is a political party in Japan founded in 1998 by the merger of several opposition parties. Its socially liberal platform is generally considered center-left in the Japanese political spectrum...
  
   Secretary General.
• Nishino Kana, Japanese Singer

Famous products

• Akafuku, a sweet made with mochi and sweet red bean paste.
• spiny lobster
  Spiny lobster
  Spiny lobsters, also known as langouste or rock lobsters, are a family of about 45 species of achelate crustaceans, in the Decapoda Reptantia...
  
  , known as Ise ebi (伊勢えび), named after the old province.
• Matsusaka beef.

Sister states

São Paulo

São Paulo (state)

São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...

, Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

 Henan

Henan

Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...

, China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

 Valencia

Valencian Community

The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...

, Spain

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

Rail

• JR Central
  • Kansai Line (Nagoya-Kameyama)
  • Kisei Line
  • Sangu Line
    Sangu Line
    The is a railway line run by Central Japan Railway Company , connecting Taki Station with Toba Station in Japan....
    
    
• JR West
  • Kansai Line (Kameyama-Nara)
  • Kusatsu Line
    Kusatsu Line
    The is a railway line in western Japan operated by West Japan Railway Company . It connects Tsuge on the Kansai Main Line with Kusatsu on the Biwako Line .-Stations:...
    
     (Tsuge Station
    Tsuge Station
    is a train station in Iga, Mie Prefecture, Japan.-Layout:There are a side platform and an island platform with three tracks on the ground level.The Kusatsu line tracks are electrified but the Kansai Line tracks are not.-Stations next to Tsuge:...
    
    )
• Kintetsu
  Kintetsu
  , named Kinki Nippon Railway Co., Ltd. in English until June 27, 2003, is a Japanese rail transit corporation commonly known as . It is the largest non-JR railway in Japan. Its complex network of lines connects Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Tsu and Ise...
  
  
  • Nagoya Line
  • Osaka Line
  • Yamada Line
    Kintetsu Yamada Line
    The is a railway line of the Japanese private railway company Kintetsu, connecting Ise-Nakagawa Station and Ujiyamada Station in Japan. The line runs parallel to parts of the JR Central Kisei Main Line and Sangū Line.The line connects with the Toba Line at Ujiyamada Station...
    
    
  • Toba Line
    Kintetsu Toba Line
    The is a railway line of the Japanese private railway company Kintetsu, connecting Ujiyamada Station and Toba Station in Japan. The line runs parallel to the JR Central Sangū Line....
    
    
  • Shima Line
    Kintetsu Shima Line
    The is a railway line of the Japanese private railway company Kintetsu, connecting Toba Station and Kashikojima Station in Japan.The line connects with the Toba Line at Toba Station...
    
    
  • Yunoyama Line
    Kintetsu Yunoyama Line
    The is a railway line of the Japanese private railway company Kintetsu, connecting Kintetsu-Yokkaichi Station and Yunoyama-Onsen Station in Japan....
    
    
  • Uchibe Line
  • Hachioji Line
    Kintetsu Hachioji Line
    The , often called the Kintetsu Nishihino Line is a railway line of the Japanese private railway company Kintetsu, connecting Hinaga Station and Nishihino Station, both in the city of Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, Japan...
    
    
  • Suzuka Line
    Kintetsu Suzuka Line
    The is a railway line of the Japanese private railway company Kintetsu, connecting Ise-Wakamatsu Station and Hiratachō Station in Japan.The line connects with the Kintetsu Nagoya Line at Ise-Wakamatsu Station....
    
    
• Yoro Railway
• Iga Railway
• Ise Railway
• Sangi Railway
  Sangi Railway
  is a railway company in Mie Prefecture, Japan. It also operates bus lines. The company was founded in 1928. Its original line, the Sangi Line, mainly functioned as a freight line transporting cement, but in recent years, it also became important as a commuter railway line for Yokkaichi. The Hokusei...
  
  

Expressway and Toll Road

• East Meihan Expressway
  Higashi-Meihan Expressway
  The is a four lane national expressway in the Tōkai region of Japan. It is owned and operated by Central Nippon Expressway Company.-Naming:Meihan is a kanji acronym of two characters. The first character represents Nagoya and the second character represents Osaka...
  
  
• Second Meishin Expressway
  Shin-Meishin Expressway
  or simply Shin-Meishin for short is an expressway, linking Mie prefecture to Hyōgo Prefecture, which is partially open and partially under construction. Current length as of February 2008 is 49.7 km...
  
  
• Ise Expressway
  Ise Expressway
  The is a national expressway in Mie Prefecture, Japan. It is owned and operated by Central Nippon Expressway Company.-Overview:Officially, the route is designated as the Kinki Expressway Ise Route, however this designation does not appear on any signage....
  
  
• Ise Bayside Expressway
  Isewangan Expressway
  The is a national expressway in the Tōkai region of Japan. It is owned and operated by Central Nippon Expressway Company.-Naming:The route primarily follows the north shore of Ise Bay ....
  
  
• Kisei Expressway
• Meihan Highway
• Ise Shima Skyline
• Ise Futami Toba Road
• Kumano Owase Road

National Highway

• Route 1
• Route 23 (Ise-Yokkaichi-Nagoya-Gamagori-Toyohashi)
• Route 25
• Route 42
• Route 163
• Route 164 (Yokkaichi)
• Route 165
• Route 167 (Shima-Toba -Ise)
• Route 258
• Route 301
• Route 311
• Route 365
• Route 421
• Route 422
• Route 425 (Owase-Totsukawa-Gobo
  Gobo, Wakayama
  is a city located in Wakayama, Japan.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 27,483 and the density of . The total area is .The city was founded on April 1, 1954....
  
  )
• Route 477

Port

• Yokkaichi Port - International and domestic container and goods hub port
• Tsu Port - Hydrofoil ferry route to Centrair airport (Chubu International Airport)
• Matsuzaka Port - Hydrofoil ferry route to Centrair
• Toba Port - Ferry route to Ira Cape

External links

• Mie Prefecture official homepage
• Kanko Mie tourist information
• Outdoor Japan - Section Mie
• Mie International Exchange Foundation