'The Shima Peninsula commands many fascinating views of land and sea.

This national park covers an extensive area including the Kyuikirin forest; the holy precincts of the Ise Shrine, a Shinto shrine historically popular as a center for pilgrimages; the Shima Peninsula; islands at the mouth of Ise Bay; and the coast facing the eastern part of the Kumano Nada Sea. The forest at Ise Shrine, surrounding both the Inner and Outer Shrines, covers approximately 5,400 hectares. The Isuzu river runs through the forest of the Inner Shrine and provides habitat for such freshwater fish as carp and Japanese dace. The Kyuikirin is Japan's largest shrine grove, with natural groves of chinquapin, oak, and other broadleaf evergreens as well as rare plants such as Chinese witchhazel, Jingu azalea, and Nagiran cymbidium. The area abounds in wild animals including deer, boars, Japanese monkeys, and flying squirrels. Also found here are mikado ("emperor") swallowtails, one of the rarest butterfly species found in Japan and named by its discoverer for the emperor. Ise Shrine is at the northern end of the butterfly's habitat.'

Kansai Window.

Written by press.

Add comment

Comments, reviews and questions

There are no posts. Why not be the first to have your say?

Add a comment, review or question

Make a comment Ask a question Write a review

Review title

Your comment

Your rating

Choose rating... Don't go Go Must go

Your name

Your email address