A journey through Ise-Shima, feeling the sea and nature from the historic and cultural town of Matsusaka.
The journey begins in Matsusaka City, located in the center of Mie Prefecture. Experience the remnants of the Edo period as a post town and relax in the rich nature of Oku-Ise. The next day, head to Minami-Ise, enjoying a drive along the coastal route where you can experience the rias coastline. Here’s a luxurious two-day road trip packed with history, mountains, and the sea.
Experience the modern history and climate of Matsusaka.
Located on the way from Matsusaka to Kiho Town, "Fairfield by Marriott Oku-Ise Odaidai" is an ideal spot for a road trip.
08:00 Nagoya Station
10:00 The memorial hall "Ozu Yasujirō Memorial Museum" standing at the ruins of the castle.
12:00 Matsusaka Castle Ruins and the Castle Guard House.
13:00 A place that nurtures culture through food: "Restaurant Cultivate"
14:00 Reflect on the explorers of the late Edo period at the "Matsuura Takeshirō Memorial Museum."
16:00 A library space to deepen your journey: "Fairfield by Marriott Oku-Ise Odai"
Day 1 Total Travel Distance 63.2km
Day 1 Total Travel Time About 1 hour and 50 minutes
Matsusaka, once a post town welcoming travelers, has a history that greatly contributed to the cultural development since the Edo period, often overshadowed by the fame of its brand beef, and new cultures are also emerging. Let's explore the present Matsusaka.
About 90 minutes
Traveling south through the Suzuka Mountains in Mie Prefecture, the journey begins in Matsusaka, a castle town that prospered through commerce since the Edo period.
The commemorative museum
"Ozu Yasujiro Memorial Museum" standing at the castle ruins
On the second floor of the "Matsusaka City Historical and Folklore Museum" located within the Matsusaka Castle ruins, the "Ozu Yasujiro Memorial Museum" is established. The world-renowned film director Yasujiro Ozu spent his formative years from age 9 to 19 in Matsusaka. The museum exhibits actual materials such as letters and diaries that convey the lifestyle and episodes of that time.
It's also interesting to learn about the episode where he worked as an elementary school teacher in Iitaka Town before aspiring to be a film director, giving insight into Ozu's character. This content is unmissable for Ozu fans. Additionally, the first floor displays Matsusaka's folklore materials, allowing visitors to learn about local industries and the lives of people, including the "Matsusaka cotton" nurtured by Matsusaka merchants.
About 15 minutes
The "Castle Watchman's House" can be viewed from the Matsuzaka Castle Ruins. I left the castle town while reflecting on the scenes of the past learned at the Folklore Museum.
A place to cultivate culture through food: "RESTAURANT CULTIVATE"
Nurturing life and culture in this land
For lunch in Matsusaka, I chose "RESTAURANT CULTIVATE." It is a restaurant that offers a course menu centered around creative Chinese cuisine. According to owner Yuya Yamamoto, the name "Cultivate" means "to till" and is also the root of the word culture. He wishes to nurture life and culture in this land, and that sentiment is embedded in the restaurant's name.
ここは単なる食事の場ではなく、器やアート、音楽といった文化も発信していく場所。食材の仕入れもできる限り小さなローカルに目を向けるなど、その信念が料理の背景にまで貫かれている。定番人気の担々麺をはじめ、ランチコースの料理はどれも器が美しく、一皿一皿に丹精が込められていた。
What I had was the signature "Homemade Rich Sesame Tofu Tantanmen" and the weekly lunch special "Healthy Pork Love's Braised Pork in Red Wine Tomato Sauce." The seaweed in the tantanmen is sourced from Matsusaka, providing a rich flavor. The healthy pork comes from a nearby livestock farm, truly embodying Yamamoto's desire to cultivate the land of Matsusaka through food.
Lunch (Reservations Preferred)
A: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
B: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
C: 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Dinner (Reservation Required)
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:00 PM)
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
A: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
B: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
C: 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Dinner (Reservation Required)
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:00 PM)
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Reflecting on the explorer from the late Edo period
at the "Matsuura Takeshirō Memorial Museum"
The multifaceted talents of Matsuura Takeshirō exceed imagination
After experiencing Matsusaka's culture through its food, I visited the "Matsuura Takeshirō Memorial Museum." The explorer Matsuura Takeshirō, known as the "namer of Hokkaido," was born in Matsusaka and conducted surveys of Ōdaigahara in his later years. Although I knew his name, I was surprised to learn that his achievements extended far beyond Hokkaido.
Not only did he create maps, but he also published travel writings, collected vast amounts of materials, and even drew manga. According to the curator, the maps surveyed by Takeshirō were so accurate that one might think they were made using satellites or drones in modern times. Driven by curiosity, Matsuura Takeshirō walked and continued to record. I vowed to emulate that attitude through this journey.
About 40 minutes
Okuise Odaida 4:00 PM
Leaving Matsusaka, I headed towards Ōdaichō. This is the town at the foot of Ōdaigahara, which Matsuura Takeshirō surveyed in his later years. Before I knew it, I was paralleling Takeshirō's footsteps with my own journey.
Library space to deepen your journey
"Fairfield by Marriott Okuise Odaida"
I checked in early and finished organizing my luggage taken from the car. There was still some time before dinner. I decided to relax in the lobby lounge, enjoying freshly brewed coffee while reflecting on today's journey.
The attached library space features books and crafts related to this land. By learning about the land through travel and deepening my understanding, the resolution of what I encounter becomes much clearer, making the journey richer. Preparing for tomorrow, this learning time is also important. Before I knew it, it was time for dinner.
At "Wakadori Amiyaki Yoshihira," located right in front of the "Roadside Station Okuise Odaida" adjacent to the hotel, you can enjoy "grilled chicken" originating from Matsusaka City with a miso sauce. Next door, the Japanese restaurant "Tsuji Man" offers dishes utilizing local mountain and sea delicacies, and their fresh soba made with Kabuse tea from Ōdaida is also intriguing.
If you venture a little further, you can enjoy Okuise French dining at "Anju" within the Okuise Forest Pier and then visit the Okuise Miyagawa Onsen. The time spent pondering your choice is also enjoyable.
1 night for 1 person From ¥14,500〜
Experience the modern history and climate of Matsusaka.
Located on the way from Matsusaka to Kiho Town, "Fairfield by Marriott Oku-Ise Odaidai" is an ideal spot for a road trip.
08:00 Nagoya Station
10:00 The memorial hall "Ozu Yasujirō Memorial Museum" standing at the ruins of the castle.
12:00 Matsusaka Castle Ruins and the Castle Guard House.
13:00 A place that nurtures culture through food: "Restaurant Cultivate"
14:00 Reflect on the explorers of the late Edo period at the "Matsuura Takeshirō Memorial Museum."
16:00 A library space to deepen your journey: "Fairfield by Marriott Oku-Ise Odai"
Day 1 Total Travel Distance 63.2km
Day 1 Total Travel Time About 1 hour and 50 minutes
Matsusaka, once a post town welcoming travelers, has a history that greatly contributed to the cultural development since the Edo period, often overshadowed by the fame of its brand beef, and new cultures are also emerging. Let's explore the present Matsusaka.
About 90 minutes
Traveling south through the Suzuka Mountains in Mie Prefecture, the journey begins in Matsusaka, a castle town that prospered through commerce since the Edo period.
The commemorative museum
"Ozu Yasujiro Memorial Museum" standing at the castle ruins
On the second floor of the "Matsusaka City Historical and Folklore Museum" located within the Matsusaka Castle ruins, the "Ozu Yasujiro Memorial Museum" is established. The world-renowned film director Yasujiro Ozu spent his formative years from age 9 to 19 in Matsusaka. The museum exhibits actual materials such as letters and diaries that convey the lifestyle and episodes of that time.
It's also interesting to learn about the episode where he worked as an elementary school teacher in Iitaka Town before aspiring to be a film director, giving insight into Ozu's character. This content is unmissable for Ozu fans. Additionally, the first floor displays Matsusaka's folklore materials, allowing visitors to learn about local industries and the lives of people, including the "Matsusaka cotton" nurtured by Matsusaka merchants.
About 15 minutes
The "Castle Watchman's House" can be viewed from the Matsuzaka Castle Ruins. I left the castle town while reflecting on the scenes of the past learned at the Folklore Museum.
食から文化を育てる場所 「 RESTAURANT CULTIVATE」
暮らしと文化を、
この土地で育てていく
松阪でのランチに選んだのは「RESTAURANT CULTIVATE」。創作中華を中心に、コース料理を展開するレストランだ。オーナーの山本祐也さんによると、店名の「カルティベイト（Cultivate）」は「耕す」という意味を持ち、カルチャーの語源にもなっている言葉だという。暮らしや文化を、この土地で育てていきたい。そんな想いが店名に込められている。
This is not just a place for meals; it is also a venue for showcasing culture through tableware, art, and music. The belief in sourcing ingredients from small local producers is reflected in the background of the dishes. From the popular tantanmen to the lunch course, each dish is beautifully presented, showcasing meticulous care.
いただいたのは、名物「自家製胡麻の濃厚豆乳担々麺」と週変わりランチの「ヘルシーポーク愛の角煮 赤ワイントマトソース」。担々麺のアオサは松阪産を使用し、コクのある味。ヘルシーポークも近所の畜産農家で仕入れた豚で、まさに食から松坂の土地を耕していきたいと願う山本さんの言葉を体現した料理であった。
A：11:30-13:00
B：12:00-13:30
C：13:15-14:45
Dinner（要予約）
18:00-21:00（L.O 20:00）
火・水曜日定休日
A: 11:30 - 1:00 PM
B: 12:00 - 13:30
C: 13:15 - 14:45
ディナー（要予約）
18:00 - 21:00（ラストオーダー 20:00）
定休日：火曜日、水曜日
想像を超える松浦武四郎の多才さ
松阪の文化を食を通して体感したあと、「松浦武四郎記念館」へ足を運んだ。「北海道の名付け親」として知られる探検家・松浦武四郎は松阪に生まれ、晩年には大台ヶ原の調査も行っている人物だ。名前は知っていても、そのイメージは北海道に限られており、これほど多岐にわたる功績を残していたことに驚かされた。
地図制作だけでなく、紀行文の出版や膨大な資料の収集、さらには漫画まで描いていたという。学芸員によれば、武四郎が測量した地図は、現代でいえば衛星やドローンを使ったのではないかと思えるほど正確だったという。探究心に突き動かされ、歩き、記録し続けた松浦武四郎。その姿勢を、この旅を通して自分も見習いたいと誓った。
About 40 minutes
Okuise Odaida 4:00 PM
Leaving Matsusaka, I headed towards Ōdaichō. This is the town at the foot of Ōdaigahara, which Matsuura Takeshirō surveyed in his later years. Before I knew it, I was paralleling Takeshirō's footsteps with my own journey.
旅を深めるライブラリースペース
「フェアフィールド・バイ・マリオット 奥伊勢 おおだい」
早めにチェックインを済ませ、車から取り出した荷物の整理も終えた。夕食までまだ少し時間がある。ロビーラウンジのフリーカフェで淹れたてのコーヒーを味わいながら、今日の旅を振り返り、ゆっくりと過ごすことにした。
併設されたライブラリースペースには、この土地にまつわる書籍や工芸品が並ぶ。旅を通して土地を学び、理解を深めることで、出会うものの解像度は一段と高まり、旅はより重厚なものになる。明日に備え、こうした学びの時間もまた大切だ。気づけば、夕食の時間になっていた。
ホテルに隣接している「道の駅 奥伊勢おおだい」の目の前にある「若鶏あみ焼 よし兵衛」では、松阪市発祥の「鶏焼き」を味噌だれで楽しめる。隣の和食処「つじ萬」では、地元の山海の幸を生かした料理に加え、大台茶のかぶせ茶を使った生そばも気になる存在だ。
さらに少し足を伸ばせば、奥伊勢フォレストピア内のダイニング「Anju」で奥伊勢フレンチを味わい、そのまま奥伊勢宮川温泉に立ち寄ることもできる。どこを選ぶか、思案する時間もまた楽しい。
07:00 Nagoya Station
~ Travel 30 km by car, approximately 120 minutes
09:00
Ise Jingu Geku
~ Travel 10 km by car, approximately 30 minutes
11:00
Ise Udon Tsutaya
~ Travel 10 km by car, approximately 30 minutes
14:00
Ise Jingu Naiku
~ Travel 10 km by car, approximately 30 minutes
17:00
Getsubo
~ Travel 10 km by car, approximately 30 minutes
19:00 Fairfield by Marriott Mie Oki-Ise Oda
08:00 Fairfield by Marriott Mie Oki-Ise Oda
~ Travel 10 km by car, approximately 30 minutes
09:00
Roadside Station Oki-Ise Oda
~ Travel 10 km by car, approximately 30 minutes
10:30
The Japanese Blue Oak of Daibutsu Temple
Rokujuhitaki
Cafe Muku
~ Travel 10 km by car, approximately 30 minutes
14:45
Kotaijingu Bekku Takihara Shrine
Overall Map
Accommodation Hotel
Travel Gallery
