Gourmet Mie Day 3 – Iga Ninja and Iga beef Sukiyaki（Article created by Cheeserland）

Gourmet Mie Day 3 – Iga Ninja and Iga beef Sukiyaki（Article created by Cheeserland）

It wasn’t until day 3 that I have come to realized that Mie is really blessed with everything. How long can you stay in Mie until you get bored? The answer is… until you get sick of eating good food.

Granted, I still believe that Tokyo has world’s best gastronomic delights all condensed in one megapolis city. (Fun fact: Tokyo earned a total of 314 Michelin stars in 2018, twice as much as its contender, Paris. Kyoto is world’s third and Osaka runs 4th. This is how DELICIOUS Japan is, y’all.) As long as you are willing to splurge, you can get almost everything you ever want.

But indulging in gourmet experiences without having to sell your kidney? Come to Mie.

Today we are going to the birth place of ninja, to cleanse your soul basking in the negative-ions of deep forests and waterfalls before feasting on another branded beef that will rival the famed Matsusaka conterpart just so you can gather enough strength to be trained for sudden disappearance in assorted espionage missions, but you better deplete your energy and empty your stomach again in all that action because at the end of the day, a glorious Michelin one star banquet is waiting for your arrival.

Yeap. That pretty much sums up day 3. Intense, huh.

And of course while you are here, take your chance to maximize all the photo ops. Here’s the Ueno castle as backdrop.

There’s a souvenir shop at the ground floor so you can buy some kickass gifts for your ninja-loving friends.

Iga Kumihimo Braiding Center

This will probably not be on your must-go list if it involves change of trains just to get there and braid some cords.

But let me give you a couple of reasons:

1.If you are visiting the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum (which is a must anyway), take note that the center is located right opposite the ninja museum, so it would be a great side tour for some traditional craft fun.

2.If you are a fan of the movie Kimi no Na Wa (Your name), you will need no more reasons.

Iga Kumihimo are hand-braided cords made of rich silk threads, dyed in a vibrant range of colors and has centuries of history being used as decorative cords to adorn samurai’s swords, accessories of the costumes of aristocrats, and in used even in modern days now as the obijme of a kimono.

Does this look familiar to you?

Perhaps you may have recognized it from…Kimi no Na Wa.

Mitsuha’s grandmother was using the Ayatake Dai (綾竹台), which braids fine, intricate cords.

Whereas Mitsuha herself is using the simpler braiding loom which was the one I practiced on in Iga Kumihimo Braiding Center.

This is the one!

I was attempting to make a kumihimo bracelet, which had become really popular since the movie’s growing fandom.

I’m sure you remember this…The bracelet Mitsuha gave Taki.And when Mitsuha used it to tie her own hair.

Kumihimo held a great significance to the fate of the movie characters, in fact, it was also the key to the whole plot twist. I’m not going to spoilt it for people who haven’t watched it, but it was nice to feel a connection and experience this precious craft in real life.

To be honest, I thought it would be too complicated for my tofu brain but guess what? I got so obsessed with it, as you will memorize the hand movement by heart soon enough and before I knew it, I was requesting to make the second bracelet.

My first ever Kumihimo bracelet.

Done!!

It would be a very nice activity to do with your loved ones or children, to make a bracelet together as a memento of fond memories shared.

I thoroughly enjoyed the session and would even love to be back again.

There are many kumihimo accessories including wallets, pouches, straps and even necktie in beautiful pastel and vivid hues.

It makes a great gift for someone who has an eye for fine craft.

Aquaignis

Aquaignis is located in the small town of Komono (菰野) in Mie prefecture. It’s hardly a tourist-filled area but let me give you a reason to make a stop here at Aquaignis.

Aquaignis is your one-stop healing resort, where you finda modern onsen meets top class gourmet – pastries produced by Japan’s top patissierHironobu Tsujiguchi, well-known Italian chef Masayuki Okuda, and thelatest celebrated Michelin One Star chef Sadaaki Nakagami who takes hospitalityto heart.

Strawberry Farm


There’s even an in house strawberry farm where the freshest picks go onto the cakes and sweets in Confiture H, as well as strawberry picking experience for guests from Dec to May.


Confiture H

Sample a delectable array of sweet treats at Confiture H if you are a fan of desserts.


Lodging – Organic away accommodations Sugi

Guests are welcome to use the hots pring facilities (for a fee) and restaurants without staying the night, but the gorgeous individual detached villas are worth checking if you are in the mood to splurge.

Sugi – the most luxurious room is simply too good not to be shared.

In room “Sugi”, you find lots of playful elements such as the hanging “nests”, and even party stuff such as jenga, card games and lots of story books for kids. How I wish Junya and Sakura were here with me!

Tourist attractions covered by this article