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Shima Mediterranean Village Mie – Seaside Resort with Mediterranean Streets and Cafés

Shima Mediterranean Village Mie – Seaside Resort with Mediterranean Streets and Cafés
Shima Mediterranean Village in Mie recreates a white-walled, terracotta-roof town overlooking Ago Bay, with photogenic alleys, seaside villas, cafés and hands-on workshops. This guide covers what to see and do, where to eat and stay, day-trip vs overnight options, access by train, bus or car, and nearby attractions like Shima Spain Village and bay cruises.

Highlights

Village and Hotel Shima Mediterranean Village at a Glance

Village and Hotel Shima Mediterranean Village is a Mediterranean-inspired resort overlooking Ago Bay, where you can stroll through white-walled streets with orange roofs, enjoy dining, and join hands-on workshops.

Photo Walk Through the Streets

With white walls, cobblestone paths, arched gates, and flowers along the way, you can capture a Mediterranean atmosphere just by walking around.

Mediterranean Dining

On-site restaurants and cafés serve Mediterranean-style dishes, and seafood paella and pizza are especially popular.

Hands-on Craft Workshops

Try activities like accessory-making and art experiences, and create your own original piece as a travel keepsake.

Ago Bay Views and Sunset Time

Ago Bay views spread out around Village and Hotel Shima Mediterranean Village, making it a relaxing place to unwind while watching the sunset.

Getting There (Train & Car)

From Kintetsu Ugata Station, it’s about 20 minutes by shuttle bus (priority for overnight guests; seats may be full. Day trips depend on same-day availability, so follow on-site guidance). By car, it’s roughly 50 minutes from Ise-Nishi IC on the Ise Expressway or about 45 minutes from Tamaki IC, and parking is available.

Admission and How to Plan Your Visit

For day trips, entry is roughly 10:00–16:30 (last admission), with departure by 17:00. Admission is 700 yen for adults and 300 yen for elementary school children. If you’d like to enjoy the sunset through the evening lighting atmosphere, staying overnight pairs well.

For the latest information, please refer to official announcements or check on site.

What Is Shima Mediterranean Village (Shima Chichūkai Mura)? A Mediterranean-Style Resort Overlooking Ago Bay in Mie

Shima Mediterranean Village (Shima Chichūkai Mura) is a Mediterranean-style resort facility on Ōsaki Peninsula, overlooking Ago Bay (Ago-wan) in Shima City, Mie Prefecture.

The scenery of white walls, orange-tiled roofs, and stone-paved lanes feels just like a seaside town in the Mediterranean.

Across a vast 10,000-tsubo site, five areas inspired by coastal towns in Spain, Greece, and more recreate different vibes you can enjoy as you explore.

With accommodations, restaurants, a natural hot spring, and craft workshops, it’s a sightseeing spot you can enjoy for a day trip or an overnight stay.

Popular with visitors from Japan and abroad, it offers a taste of the Mediterranean—without leaving Japan.


How to Get to Shima Mediterranean Village

Shima Mediterranean Village is located along Ago Bay on the Shima Peninsula, about a 2.5-hour drive from Nagoya and around 3 hours from Osaka.

By Public Transportation

  1. Hotel shuttle bus
  2. About 15–20 minutes from Kintetsu “Ugata Station” by the hotel’s dedicated shuttle bus (priority for overnight guests).
  3. Day-trip visitors generally cannot reserve it in advance and may not be able to board. Check the operation status beforehand.
  4. Taxi
  5. About 15–20 minutes by taxi from Kintetsu “Ugata Station” (around 3,000–4,000 yen one way).
  6. Sea taxi
  7. About 10–12 minutes on the sea taxi “Entrada Kashikojima” from Kashikojima Port, about a 1-minute walk from Kintetsu “Kashikojima Station” (1,300 yen one way for adults; reservation required).

By Car

About 50 minutes from the Ise Expressway “Ise-nishi IC” or “Tamaki IC.”

A free parking lot is available, making car access convenient.


Top Things to Do at Shima Mediterranean Village

1. Stroll through the five Mediterranean zones

The grounds are divided into five areas: Sardinia, Castilla, Andalusia, Mykonorca, and Alhambra.

Buildings designed by a Spanish architect use tiles and bricks imported from overseas, creating an authentic townscape with meticulous details.

Even a simple walk around lets you fully soak up the exotic atmosphere.

2. Savor Mediterranean cuisine with Shima ingredients

On-site, the restaurant “RIAS,” supervised by “Kokotxa,” a restaurant in San Sebastián, Spain, serves Mediterranean dishes featuring fresh seafood from Shima.

The casual café “Taberna Azul” is also a popular choice.

3. Try hands-on crafts in the workshop

At Shima Mediterranean Village, you can enjoy craft experiences such as making trays and coasters with mosaic tiles.

Workshop staff guide you carefully, so even first-timers can join with confidence.

Create your own one-of-a-kind piece as a travel souvenir.

4. Natural hot spring “Alhambra”

There is an Arabic-style natural hot spring facility using a sodium chloride spring that wells up from 1,430 m underground.

With water that retains heat well and helps you stay warm after bathing, you can enjoy a special moment surrounded by exotic design, music, and fragrance.

5. Villa-style accommodations

Guest rooms feature different interiors by area, centered around private villas of about 120 m².

Some rooms overlook Ago Bay, offering a special stay where you can fully enjoy the Mediterranean resort feel.

6. Ago Bay nature and sea views

Beautiful ria coastlines spread around the village along Ago Bay.

With plenty of marine activities like cruising and pier fishing, you can relax while enjoying the contrast of sea and sky.


Nearby Attractions

1. Shima Spain Village

About 30 minutes by car from Shima Mediterranean Village.

This theme park lets you enjoy Spanish townscapes and culture, with plenty of attractions and entertainment shows.

2. Ago Bay Cruise

On cruises departing from Kashikojima Port, you can enjoy spectacular views of Ago Bay from the water, including pearl-farming rafts floating in the bay.

Practical Visitor Tips

Best time to visit and day-trip entry

Day-trip entry is accepted from 10:00 to 16:30 (last admission), and you must leave by 17:00.

While daytime strolls are great, the illuminated townscape from evening into night is exceptionally romantic.

However, only overnight guests can enjoy the nighttime atmosphere.

Day-trip admission fee

  • Day-trip admission: Adults (junior high and up) 700 yen, elementary school students 300 yen, preschoolers free (free for overnight guests)

What to bring

  • Camera or smartphone (photo spots are everywhere; however, using equipment such as tripods or reflectors requires prior permission)
  • Comfortable walking shoes (for strolling the stone-paved streets)
  • Sun protection (summer sunlight can be strong)

Etiquette and important notes

Shima Mediterranean Village is primarily a hotel facility.

Out of consideration for hotel guests, please avoid loud conversations and running around.

Cosplay shoots, group shoots, and commercial photography require prior permission.


Summary

Shima Mediterranean Village is a unique sightseeing spot where you can fully experience a Mediterranean vibe while staying in Japan.

With Mediterranean cuisine, a natural hot spring, craft experiences, and villa stays, it’s perfect for trips with family or as a couple.

Soak in the exotic atmosphere and enjoy a special time alongside the nature of Ago Bay.

Enjoy an extraordinary resort experience at Shima Mediterranean Village!


Frequently Asked Questions

A. A Mediterranean-style resort overlooking Ago Bay in Shima, known for its white buildings and sea views that look great in photos. There are lots of slopes and stairs, so it’s easiest to start with the seafront viewpoint area and then head into the lanes. In quieter alleys, footsteps can echo, so walking softly helps you feel more at ease.
A. Day admission is 700 yen for junior high school age and above, and 300 yen for elementary school children. The village is open from 10:00; last entry is 16:30, and visitors exit by 17:00. The entrance area can get busy in the morning, so if photography is your priority, arriving after 15:00 often means fewer people and a smoother visit. For less backlighting, seafront shots tend to work well in the morning.
A. From around Kashikojima Station, a taxi ride of about 10–15 minutes is a common guide. Bus services may be limited, so for groups, splitting a taxi fare is often practical and makes timing easier to plan. On the way back, ride-hailing apps may be hard to catch at times, so it helps to confirm the pickup area before you head out.
A. There is parking for day visitors. Weekends tend to be busiest around late morning to early afternoon, so going right after opening or closer to late afternoon can reduce stress for both parking and walking around. White outfits can blend into the pale backdrop, so a small accent-color accessory can help your photos stand out.
A. It’s mostly outdoors, so sunny days photograph especially well, though sea breeze can make some seasons feel colder than expected. A comfortable route is seafront views → white streetscape → café, then finish with a break at the viewpoint terrace. If you’re aiming for late-day light, shadows get longer, and compositions that use the depth of narrow lanes can look cleaner than wide open squares.
A. Yes—there are cafés and restaurants inside, and day visitors can use them. Seats with great views fill up around the lunch peak, so going earlier for a light bite or shifting a full meal to after 14:00 can make it easier to find a table. Seafront terraces can be windy on some days, so bringing a light layer helps.
A. Day entry is generally available without a reservation. If you’re mainly there for photos and a stroll, even 1–2 hours can feel satisfying, making it easy to add to an Ise–Shima drive. If you’re short on time, focusing on three points—entrance → seafront area → main plaza—can improve your chances of getting great shots quickly.
A. For pets, the day-visitor fee is 300 yen per pet, and because there are many steps and level changes, you may need to carry them at times. With kids, cobblestones can make strollers bumpy, so a baby carrier can make moving around easier. On hot days, some areas have limited shade, so grabbing drinks before you start walking can help.

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