Mie Travel Newsletter tourismmiejapan.com vol.3 2011

Top News

MAP Kumano & 5 Autumn Leaves MAP MAP Autumn Foliage Viewing 6 1 Ise Pilgrimage Roads on the Gozaisho Ropeway at Akame Shijyuhachi Falls ◆『Autumn Foliage Viewing』 ◆『Akame Shijyuhachi Falls』 The Kumano Kodou and Ise During the Autumn months, the rhododendron trees that cover Mt. Gozaisho change from green to an The Akame valley area, which is surrounded by native forest impressive array of colors including red, orange and yellow. As this transformation occurs leaf by leaf, branch pilgrimage routes that includes a range of waterfalls that cascade over a stretch of 4 by branch, Mt. Gozaisho bursts into a symphony of color. connect Kumano to Ise, kilometers into a gorge near the bottom of the valley's The leaves begin to change at the summit during mid-October, and the display of colors reaches Yunoyama Osaka, Wakayama, Kouya mountainous landscape . These waterfalls create a mystical, Onsen (Hot springs) at the base around late-November, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the fall foliage at and Yoshino were regist- naturally beautiful scenic place, which has been selected as Mt. Gozaisho. ered as UNESCO World one of 's top 100 scenic spots. The name Akame (Red Heritage Sites in 2004. ◆『The Gozaisho Ropeway』 eyes) was derived from a mythical folk tale about a legendary These routes also connect This ropeway connects the Yunoyama Hot Springs and the summit of Mt. Gozaisho, which rises 1212 meters man named En no Ozunu, who while meditating in front of the Ise to the Kumano Haya- above sea level. Each season offers a different spectacular experience on the ropeway. Spring brings new waterfalls, reported to have seen Cetaka (A budda) emerge tama Taisha Shrine. There greenery and blooming flowers. During the summer, the summit of Mt. Gozaisho boasts temperatures up to from the waterfalls riding a red eyed bull. Following that, this are many hiking tracks within 10 degrees cooler than those at the base and red dragonflies that seem to dance in the air. During the winter area came to be known as Akame (Red eyes). these routes, but the most months, you can marvel at the frost covered evergreens while hitting the slopes at Mt. Gozaisho's ski area. www.gozaisho.co.jp ◆Entrance into the mountain and valley area cost 300yen for an adult, (High school student and above) popular track has to be the "Magose Toge“. ◆How to get there ：8 minutes from Kintetsu Yunoyama Onsen Station via Sanco Bus. 150yen for a child, (Elementary/Junior High School Student) and is open from 08:30 to 17:00. Within this area there is a 3 hour walking course, which runs alongside the waterfalls. The rapids are spectacular This track has a moss covered stone path that stretches about 2 km into a beautiful forest filled with native ferns. during Autumn as they reflect the colours of the leaves. The 3 of 5 best falls, such as Fudo Fall, Senjyu MAP F1 Racing at Suzuka Circuit Fall and Nunobiki Fall can be reached within an hour along the walkway.This walkway allows you to enjoy 2 the many spectacular sights of the waterfalls as they flow into the gorge. These prices include entrance into the Japan‘s Salamanders Centre, which is situated at the entrance to the walk ways. ◆『Ｆ１ Japan Grand Prix』 : 10/7 Free Drive、10/8 Preliminaries、10/9 Finals www.akame48taki.jp/newpage36/newpage36.html The Japan Grand Prix, held every year at Suzuka Circuit, is the 16th round in the 2011 FIA F1 World ◆How to get there ：10 minutes bus ride on the (Akametaki) bus from the Akameguchi Station along the Championship Series. Kintetsu Osaka line. F1 Japan Grand Prix Week kicks off on Thursday, October 6th, and ends on Monday, October 10th, and there are plenty of events to keep you on the edge of your seat all week, including "Pit Tour," autographs from famous drivers, and special guest appearances the night before the big race. It doesn't matter if you have never seen an F1 race before, or if you are a veteran F1 fan that attends every year, there is Discount Tickets! something for everyone down by the raceway! suzuka21.com/lang/en/ ◆『Suzuka Circuit』 Suzuka Circuit is a raceway that holds F1 and other races. Visitors can go-cart on an actual racing course in addition to enjoying the attached amusement park, hotel accommodations, restaurants, swimming pools, hot springs, tennis courts and more at this comprehensive resort area.

◆How to get there ：20 minutes from Kintetsu Shiroko Station via Sanco Bus This ticket includes: - ticket from the airport to - Unlimited ride on the Kintetsu line, Iga Railway, Buses and Toba Municipal Bus (sea gull bus) - vaild for 5 days MAP 3 Matsusaka Beef Cattle Exhibition - 3 vouchers for Kintetsu limited express - discount coupons to sightseeing facilities ◆『Matsusaka Beef Cattle Exhibition』 : the last of November Each year at the Matsusaka Beef Cattle Exhibition, the "Matsusaka Beef Competitive Exhibition" is held. A winner is selected from among 50 Matsusaka Beef cattle that make it past the preliminary rounds. The judging takes place in the morning and winning cows often fetch an impressive price. The winner of the 2002 Exhibition was sold at an incredible price of 50 million yen! 1 There are also Matsusaka Beef barbecue tastings and other events to celebrate this tasty delicacy. ◆『Matsusaka Beef』 This ticket includes: Matsusaka City in is home to a brand of beef that is known worldwide. Matsusaka Beef is - Unlimited ride on the Kintetsu Railway and Iga Railway - vaild for 5 2 created from the meat of female Japanese Black cattle that have not birthed calves. These cows are raised in days the basin areas of the Kumozu and Miya Rivers and each cow is registered in a special identification system. - 3 vouchers for Kintetsu limited express The fattening process for cattle used to create Matsusaka Beef is exceptionally long, resulting in a very high grade of meat. Matsusaka Beef created from cows born in Hyogo Prefecture that have gone through a 900 day fattening process are labeled as "Special Grade Matsusaka Beef," and boasts a taste that can only be achieved through these particular cattle raising practices. ５ 3 ◆How to get there ：A short taxi or bus ride from Kintetsu/JR Matsusaka Station 4

MAP 4 Mikimoto Pearl Island

◆『Try wearing Pearl Crown』 : September 3rd-25th, December 3rd – 12th, December 16ｔｈ-31st The Mikimoto Pearl Crown Ⅱ, is one of the many items displayed within the pearl collection in the museum. This luminous ６ crown contains 796 pearls, and 17 diamonds and has been valued to be worth more than 100 million yen. It was made in 1979, and was designed based on the Byzantine Empire's Crown. This crown normally stays displayed in it's show case, but women can have the special opportunity to try wearing it in the term above, because Mikimoto Pearl Island is now commemorating it's 60th year of being open to the public. ◆『Mikimoto Pearl Island』 Kokichi Mikimoto is known for being the first person to establish successful pearl cultivation in this island in 1893. It is here where displays of artistically crafted pearls and a museum exhibiting the successes of Koichi Mikimoto can be viewed. It is also here where you can view the "AMA" women divers that wear masks and white outfit from head to foot, as they depart once every hour to collect shellfish. The "AMA" divers will be welcoming 5 new divers from July. There is also, of course, a range of stores, including a Mikimoto Jewellery store, where you can purchase original goods. www.mikimoto-pearl-museum.co.jp/en/ ◆How to get there ：5 minutes from the Kintetsu/JR Toba Station www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/