17 Reasons To Visit Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture: Beef Sukiyaki, Samurai History And Artisan Crafts
Source: Matsusaka City Tourist Information Centre
Nestled in the heart of Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka City is a captivating city where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. Renowned for its world-famous Matsusaka beef, the city offers much more than just exceptional cuisine. From strolling through historic streets lined with samurai residences to immersing yourself in the art of Matsusaka Momen (traditional indigo-dyed cotton) and washi (traditional Japanese paper), Matsusaka invites you to step back in time while savouring the finest flavours of Japan.
Whether you are indulging in a Matsusaka beef sukiyaki feast, exploring ancient castle ruins, or taking part in hands-on craft experiences, Matsusaka promises a rich tapestry of cultural and culinary delights. Explore 17 must-try experiences in Matsusaka City- a journey through the city’s rich history, vibrant local flavours and time-honoured traditions.
Cultural & Historical Sites
(1) Matsusaka Momen Kimono Experience
(2) Matsusaka Castle Ruins
(3) Castle Guard Residences (Gojoban Yashiki)
(4) Fukano Washi (Paper-Making) Workshop
(5) Matsusaka Cotton Centre
(6) Matsusaka City Tourist Information Centre
Local Food & Culinary Experiences
(7) Matsusaka Beef Cooking Workshop
(8) Akadama Sushi
(9) Iitaka Roadside Station
(10) Shinryoku Sabo
(11) Matsusaka Chicken Yakiniku
(12) Marunaka Honten
(13) Matsujiro (Honey Specialty) Store
Outdoor & Nature Experiences
(14) Mezurashi Pass
(15) Chakura Bridge
(16) Everglades Kahada
Accommodation
(17) Kamenari-en
(1) Matsusaka Momen Kimono Experience
Matsusaka Momen, or Matsusaka Cotton, is known for its deep indigo hues and elegant stripes. This traditional textile became a fashion trend- "iki" (stylish) during the Edo period. At Utsukushiya, you can rent a Matsusaka Momen kimono and enjoy a photoshoot in front of the town's historic Edo-era buildings. For a hands-on experience, visit the Matsusaka Cotton Hand-Weaving Centre to try traditional weaving and create your own piece of history.
Utsukushiya
Location: 1940 Nakamachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture 515-0083 Japan
Access: 10-min walk from Matsusaka Station
Opening hours*: 10am - 6pm
Fee: ¥4,400
*Reservation is required for the kimono experience.
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(2) Matsusaka Castle Ruins
Source: Matsusaka City Tourism and Exchange Division
Matsusaka Castle, although no longer standing, is famous for its impressive stone walls. Unlike many other castles where the stones are cut for easy stacking, Matsusaka Castle’s walls were built using unprocessed, natural stones carefully balanced to create a unique structure.
Although the original buildings no longer exist, the magnificent stone walls still remain today, earning it a place among Japan's "Top 100 Castles". Visitors can walk up to the site where the main keep once stood, admiring the craftsmanship of the stone walls. From everywhere across the castle ruins, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Matsusaka City, offering a vivid glimpse into the region’s rich history.
Location: 1538-1 Tonomachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0073, Japan
Access: 10-min walk from Matsusaka Station
Fee: Free
(3) Castle Guard Residences (Gojoban Yashiki)
Source: Matsusaka City Tourism and Exchange Division
The Gojoban Yashiki (Castle Guard Residences) housed samurai warriors of the Kishu Domain who guarded Matsusaka Castle during the end of Edo period (1863-1868). Remarkably, these residences are still inhabited today and have been designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Source: Matsusaka City Tourism and Exchange Division
One of the homes is open to the public, offering a chance to explore traditional tatami rooms where the samurai once lived. The site is also famous for being featured in the 2019 live-action film Rurouni Kenshin. It provides a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience a piece of Matsusaka’s rich samurai heritage.
Location: 1385 Tonocho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-8515 Japan
Access: 15-min walk from Matsusaka Station
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (Closed on Mon or the following day if Monday is a holiday), New Year holidays
Fee: Free
(4) Fukano Washi (Paper-Making) Workshop
Fukano Washi, once a thriving craft in the Iinan region of Matsusaka City, was especially renowned for its use in the Kishu Domain's silver currency during the Edo period. However, the tradition faded with the rise of Western-style paper. In response, the Fukano Washi Preservation Society was formed to keep the craft alive.
During the workshop, participants can learn about its history and try their hand at paper-making, guided by the warm-hearted locals. Participants will have the opportunity to create three sheets of traditional washi paper, each the size of a colour paper, while connecting with this centuries-old craft.
Location: Iinan Japanese Paper & Washi Wagyu Centre, 3232 Iinancho Fukano, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-1301 Japan
Availability Period: Early November to end February, 10am - 12pm / 1pm - 3pm
Duration: 90 to 120 minutes (depending on group size)
Fee: ¥1,500 per person (for groups of 6 to 20 people)
Minimum Participants: 6 people
Reservation Email: fukanowashi_hozonkai@googlegroups.com
(5) Matsusaka Cotton Centre
At the Matsusaka Cotton Centre, you can immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Matsusaka Cotton, a true cultural heritage of the region. The phrase "Shima momen wa Matsusaka no onna waza nari" (Shima cotton is Matsusaka’s women's craft) reflects the pride of Edo's common people, who wore simple cotton clothes due to thrift laws, but expressed their style through Matsusaka stripes. These stripes, known for their deep indigo hues, were refined by the Matsusaka merchants' ingenuity and the beauty standards of the local women.
Source: Shimosuwa Konjakukan Oideya
Here, you can purchase clothing and accessories made from Matsusaka Cotton, and experience traditional hand-weaving firsthand! For beginners, the "Petite Orihime Experience" is a great option. In just about an hour, you will have the chance to weave a small 11×20 cm item like a coaster, selecting from various patterns and choosing your preferred weft thread (overall colour) to create your own unique piece of Matsusaka Cotton fabric.
Location: 2176 Honmachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0081 Japan
Access: 10-min walk from Matsusaka Station
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Fee: Petit Orihime Experience (1 hour): ¥1,500, 1-day Orihime Experience (4-5 hours): ¥5,000
Reservation: Sign up here or call +81 0598-26-6355
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(6) Matsusaka City Tourist Information Centre
Matsusaka City Tourist Information Centre offers a delightful blend of shopping and historical exploration. Visitors can browse a curated selection of local specialties, including renowned Matsusaka beef, fine teas, and traditional cotton goods. The shop also features unique artisanal items such as wallets made from Matsusaka cowhide, pottery by local artists, and accessories crafted from deer antlers. On the second floor, informative panels and dioramas showcase the rich history and culture of Matsusaka, accompanied by videos with English subtitles. With its central location and diverse offerings, the centre serves as both a welcoming gateway and a fitting conclusion to a walking tour of the town.
Location: 1658-3 Uomachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0082 Japan
Access: 11-min walk from Matsusaka Station
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm daily
Website
(7) Matsusaka Beef Sukiyaki Cooking Workshop
Utsukushiya offers a hands-on Matsusaka beef cooking workshop where participants can learn to prepare premium Matsusaka beef using traditional methods like Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu. The experience begins with a visit to Marunaka Honten butcher shop to select the beef, followed by a unique Matsusaka-style Sukiyaki lesson. Under the guidance of the friendly owner, you'll enjoy creating and tasting this luxurious dish, along with homemade miso soup, pickles, and rice.
Source: Utsukushiya
Utsukushiya
Location: 1940 Nakamachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0083 Japan
Access: 10-min walk from Matsusaka Station
Opening hours*: [Lunch] 11am - 12pm, [Dinner] 5pm - 6pm
Fee: [Basic set] ¥5,500 per pax + cost of beef
*Reservation is required for the workshop.
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Marunaka Honten
Location: 1843-6 Nakamachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0083 Japan
Opening hours: Mon- Sat 8am - 6pm (Closed on Sun)
Instagram
(8) Akadama Sushi
Akadama Sushi is a renowned sushi restaurant in Matsusaka, known for its 65 years of sushi-making expertise. The restaurant offers fresh seafood, including fish from Ise Bay, and unique meat sushi. Their affordable omakase menu, which includes meat sushi, starts at just ¥2,700, making it a great choice for sushi lovers looking for quality at a reasonable price.
Location: 1 Chome-65 Atagomachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture 515-0037 Japan
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am - 1.30pm, 5pm - 8.30pm (Closed on Mon)
(9) Iitaka Roadside Station
Iitaka Roadside Station in Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture, is a popular roadside stop featuring natural hot springs, a restaurant serving Matsusaka beef, and a shop selling local products. The station's hot springs are a local favourite, while the restaurant offers affordable beef dishes. The shop features regional vegetables, sweets, and the popular Tottoki Grilled Leek Miso, a spicy miso perfect with rice. Visitors can also enjoy craft workshops, outdoor activities, and seasonal events.
(10) Shinryoku Sabo
Shinryoku Sabo is a long-established tea shop deeply rooted in the local community, specialising in deep-steamed sencha. Known for its rich umami and smooth taste, their tea is cultivated in Matsusaka’s western tea fields, where the region’s ideal climate enhances its quality.
At the café, visitors can explore unique tea experiences, including "Chaju", a special tea that offers a unique experience of brewing tea in a dish to savour its exquisite umami flavour. The same tea leaves can be used for three to four infusions, with the taste evolving with each brew—an interesting aspect of the experience.
Handmade in their own workshop, Shinryoku Sabo’s original tea-based sweets beautifully complement the tea, making this an essential stop for any tea enthusiast seeking authentic local flavour.
Location: 4209-2 Kayumi, Iinan-cho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-1411 Japan
Opening hours: 9am - 5.30pm, [Cafe] 10am - 4pm daily (Closed on Wed and year-end holiday)
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(11) Matsusaka Chicken Yakiniku
Matsusaka’s local specialty, "Matsusaka Chicken Yakiniku" features grilled chicken marinated in a sweet and savoury miso sauce. The rich aroma of the miso combined with the tender, flavourful chicken offers a unique taste experience that has been cherished by the community for decades.
The tradition of Matsusaka Chicken Yakiniku dates back to the Showa era, when local farmers began grilling chicken with miso to prevent waste. This practice evolved into a beloved regional dish, with numerous restaurants in Matsusaka offering their own variations.
One popular place to enjoy this dish is Tori Suzu. Their signature miso-marinated chicken is a must-try, but they also take pride in their tender, juicy chicken breast—thinly sliced and quickly grilled to perfection.
Tori Suzu
Location: 105-1 Takamachi, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-1411 Japan
Opening hours: 11am - 1.30pm, 5pm - 9pm daily (Closed on Wed)
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(12) Marunaka Honten
Marunaka Honten is a renowned butcher shop specialising in high-quality Matsusaka beef. Located approximately a 7-minute walk from Matsusaka Station, it offers a variety of beef cuts and prepared dishes, including their popular croquettes made with Matsusaka beef.
Source: Marunaka Honten Instagram
(13) Matsujiro (Honey Specialty) Store
Source: Matsujiro Instagram
Matsujiro Store is a honey specialty store that offers a variety of high-quality honey products from across Japan, including 100% domestic and unblended honeys, each with unique flavours and colours.
One of the standout items at this shop is their Honey Monaka Ice Cream, a store-exclusive treat where ice cream is sandwiched between crisp monaka wafers. Additions like honeycomb filled with honey provide a refreshing sweetness, which not only adds a beautiful, glistening appearance but also a refreshing sweetness that enhances the overall flavour experience.
Location: 1873 Nakacho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-0083 Japan
Opening hours: 10am - 5.30pm daily (Closed on Thu)
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(14) Mezurashi Pass
Source: Matsusaka City Tourism and Exchange Division
Mezurashi Pass is a wonderful spot for a walk from Iitaka Roadside Station, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of Japan's forests. The fresh air here is incredibly calming, and taking a deep breath makes you feel at peace. As you walk for a while, you will come across a river, which is equally stunning.
Source: Matsusaka City Tourism and Exchange Division
Mezurashi Pass (Mezurashitoge 珍布峠) is a old mountain pass along the ancient Wakayama Highway, which holds a fascinating legend tied to Amaterasu Omikami. The legend says that the goddess Amaterasu and the deity Ame-no-Koyane-no-Mikoto met unexpectedly and exclaimed, "Oh, how rare!"—thus the name Mezurashitoge (Rare Pass) came to be.
This area is also known for the Tsubuteishi (礫石), or "pebble stone," which is associated with the Kuniwake Legend. According to the legend, Amaterasu threw a stone into the river to mark the boundary of the country, and the Tsubuteishi can still be seen in this location today.
Location: Akaoke, Iitaka-cho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-1505 Japan
Access: 10-min drive from Iitaka Station, 30-min walk (via walking course)
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(15) Chakura Bridge
Chakura Bridge is a picturesque suspension bridge spanning the Kushida River. The bridge connects the Chakura Roadside Station area with the Everglades Kahada glamping site, providing access to scenic walking paths along the river.
The bridge offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and tea fields, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists. Enjoy activities like walking along the river, exploring tea plantations, and savouring local cuisine at nearby eateries. The area is particularly stunning during cherry blossom season, when the observation deck provides a breathtaking view of blooming sakura.
Location: Iinancho Kayumi, Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture 515-1411, Japan
(16) Everglades Kahada
Source: Kanko Mie
Everglades Kahada is an American-style outdoor resort located in the scenic Kahada Valley, nestled within a prefectural natural park. The resort is named "Everglades" due to the landscape’s resemblance to the Everglades National Park in Florida, USA. Surrounded by lush mountains, dramatic gorges, and the emerald-green Kushida River, the resort offers guests an immersive experience in nature with a distinctly American touch.
Source: Everglades Kahada
As an American-style outdoor resort, Everglades Kahada blends the spirit of the great outdoors with cultural elements from the U.S., including themed events and authentic American-style barbecues. Guests can choose from a variety of accommodations, such as comfortable cabins and tent sites, suitable for families, couples, and groups of all sizes.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a range of nature-based activities like canoeing and riverside relaxation. The scenic drive along National Highway 166, which cuts through the Kahada Valley, also makes the area a popular destination for cyclists.
Location: 1084-1 Kayumi, Iinan-cho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, 515-1411 Japan
Access: 15-min drive from Sewataki IC, 15-min walk from Chakura Station
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(17) Kamenari-en
Source: Kamenari-en website
Kamenari-en offers a nostalgic rural experience in a traditional farmhouse. Guests can enjoy interacting with chickens, harvesting vegetables, and exploring the surrounding countryside. The guesthouse offers a fully equipped kitchen and a barbecue set. It is an ideal getaway for families, groups, and pet owners.
Source: Kamenari-en Website
Visitors can also enjoy fresh eggs for breakfast and experience hands-on activities such as firewood chopping. For ultimate relaxation, a nearby hot spring facility offers the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploration.
For those who wish to experience everyday life in the Japanese countryside, Kamenari-en is highly recommended. Situated in the mountains of Matsusaka City, this welcoming inn is run by a couple who relocated from Osaka and Kyoto to embrace a self-sufficient lifestyle. Guests have the unique opportunity to step into their world—harvesting homegrown vegetables, caring for chickens, and spending time with their playful dogs and cats.
What sets Kamenari-en apart is its warm, family-friendly atmosphere. With young children in the household, the couple extends heartfelt hospitality, making guests feel truly at home. Whether you are looking to reconnect with nature, learn about sustainable living, or simply enjoy the charm of rural Japan, a stay at Kamenari-en promises a deeply enriching experience. The hosts speak polite English, making communication smooth and welcoming for international visitors.
Location: 1711 Mori, Iitaka-cho, Matsusaka City
Access: 90-min bus ride from Matsusaka Station, 75-min drive from Matsusaka Station. Guided transfer is available from from Matsusaka Station or Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi Station (￥5,000 yen one way, up to 5 people. *Reservation is required)
Accommodation Fee for 1 night (including breakfast):
[Adult] ￥7,500 (weekdays), ￥8,000 (weekends)
[Child] ￥5,500 (3-12 years old),￥2,500 (up to 2 years old, no bedding or meals provided)
Website
*This article is brought to you in partnership with Matsusaka City Tourism and Exchange Division.
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