"Matsusaka - Staging point to Mie" Matsuzaka by Sandmonkee

Matsusaka (sometimes transliterated as "Matsuzaka") is a medium sized town of about 150,000 people. It is located on the Pacific Ocean coast of Ise Bay, about 100km south of Nagoya. The Lonely Planet Japan guide describes the area as industrial, without much to see and do. This may be the impression on the passer-through, but upon closer inspection, Matsusaka is a city with a lot to offer...

- Beautiful park at the site of the old castle. The original rock walls still remain
- Ancient Samurai village, a section of town that used to be inhabited by the samurai who guarded the castle. Many of the building are original, and even have the descendants of the former samurai still living in them!
- Excellent shopping right outside the station
- Exciting nightlife in Atago-machi
- Some of the friendliest people towards foreigners that I have met in Japan
- Home of Mie University
- Central location between the coast and the mountains, on all major rail lines and roads/highways
- Quick access to Kyoto, Nagoya and Osaka by rail (<2000 yen)
- Close to many great beaches, as well as many gorgeous mountain retreats and onsen

Lets Enjoy Matsusaka! :)