Stretching over 556 square kilometers (215 square miles) of the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture, the Ise-Shima National Park attracts many visitors with the beauty of its ragged coastline and its cultural and historical heritage. The region was designated a national park in 1946.

The park extends over two cities: Ise, the home of Ise Shrine, and Toba, the center of Japan's pearl industry. Off the coast of Futamigaura Beach, which stretches between the two cities, is the Meoto-Iwa--a pair of "wedded rocks" that are linked by a sacred rope.

Ago Bay on the southern tip of the Shima Peninsula is a center of cultured pearl production. The region is also well known for women pearl divers called ama, many of whom now demonstrate their skills for tourists.

Photo by Japan Environment Association.