Things to Do in Shima (志摩市), Mie: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Shima (志摩市) in Mie Prefecture (Kansai, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Kashiko Island (3.1 km), Watakano-shima (4.9 km), Masaki Island (5.0 km) and served by Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) via the regional hub at Iseshi, Toba, Kuwana & Tsu Stations (JR & Kintetsu Limited Express). Set at 11 m elevation (34.3333°N, 136.8333°E), Shima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Matsusaka wagyu beef (one of Japan's top three wagyu), Ise udon (thick soft noodles in dark tamari glaze), Akafuku mochi cuisine and exploring neighboring Toba (鳥羽市) (16.5 km), Ise (伊勢市) (19.8 km), Minamiise (南伊勢町) (23 km), Watarai (度会町) (24.2 km).

Shima hosted the 2016 G7 Summit. Shima is located on the southern half of Shima Peninsula in far eastern Mie Prefecture, facing Ise Bay of the Pacific Ocean. The city has a complicated rias coast with two large inlets: Matoya Bay and Ago Bay. All of Shima was within the borders of ancient Shima Province. With the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the town of Waga and villages of Katada, Fuseda, Koshiga, and Goza were established. Within Mie Prefecture, Shima (志摩市) serves as a city in Mie Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2004-10-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Ise Jingu (Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine complex) and Okage Yokocho lane, Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks), Toba pearl islands, Iga-Ueno ninja castle town, and Suzuka Circuit.

What to See & Do in Shima (志摩市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Shima (志摩市) from Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) at 11 m elevation (34.3333°N, 136.8333°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Shima):

• Kashiko Island (3.1 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shima (志摩市).
• Watakano-shima (4.9 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shima (志摩市).
• Masaki Island (5.0 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shima (志摩市).
• Anorisaki Lighthouse (7.8 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shima (志摩市).
• Jirōrokurō Beach — local sightseeing landmark near Shima (志摩市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Shima: Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) (connecting to Iseshi, Toba, Kuwana & Tsu Stations (JR & Kintetsu Limited Express)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Shima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Shima (志摩市) and Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Mie Prefecture and Kansai:

• Toba (鳥羽市) — 16.5 km from Shima (Mie Prefecture)
• Ise (伊勢市) — 19.8 km from Shima (Mie Prefecture)
• Minamiise (南伊勢町) — 23 km from Shima (Mie Prefecture)
• Watarai (度会町) — 24.2 km from Shima (Mie Prefecture)
• Tamaki (玉城町) — 25.5 km from Shima (Mie Prefecture)

Getting to Shima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Shima (志摩市) via Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km): 1h 20m from Nagoya or 1h 50m from Osaka-Namba/Kyoto on the Kintetsu Limited Express (including the luxury Shimakaze train). From Iseshi, Toba, Kuwana & Tsu Stations (JR & Kintetsu Limited Express), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) to reach central Shima (34.3333°N, 136.8333°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Tsu with Shima (志摩市) and neighboring Toba, Ise, Minamiise. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Shima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Shima and continuing toward Toba can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Shima: While Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) anchors public transit for Shima, picking up a rental car at Iseshi, Toba, Kuwana & Tsu Stations (JR & Kintetsu Limited Express) makes it easy to link Kashiko Island (3.1 km) and Watakano-shima (4.9 km) with nearby Toba (鳥羽市) (16.5 km), Ise (伊勢市) (19.8 km), Minamiise (南伊勢町) (23 km), Watarai (度会町) (24.2 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Shima (志摩市) & Mie

Dining near Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) and across Shima (志摩市) highlights the regional food culture of Mie Prefecture and Kansai. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Shima:

• Local specialty & terroir of Shima (志摩市): nashi pear orchards and seasonal fruit farming alongside coastal oyster and scallop aquaculture alongside fresh harbor seafood.
• Matsusaka wagyu beef (one of Japan's top three wagyu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shima (志摩市) and Mie Prefecture.
• Ise udon (thick soft noodles in dark tamari glaze) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shima (志摩市) and Mie Prefecture.
• Akafuku mochi — regional specialty enjoyed across Shima (志摩市) and Mie Prefecture.
• Ise-ebi (spiny lobster) & Matoya oysters — regional specialty enjoyed across Shima (志摩市) and Mie Prefecture.
• Tekone-zushi — regional specialty enjoyed across Shima (志摩市) and Mie Prefecture.

If you are dining in Shima (志摩市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km).

Where to Stay in Shima (志摩市)

Visitors staying overnight in Shima (志摩市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km), or base at major rail hubs in Tsu (Iseshi, Toba, Kuwana & Tsu Stations (JR & Kintetsu Limited Express)) or neighboring Toba, Ise, Minamiise for quick train access into Shima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Shima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Shima (志摩市, 11 m elevation at 34.3333°N, 136.8333°E): Year-round pilgrimage to Ise Jingu; spring and autumn for Kumano Kodo Iseji coastal trails; winter for Nabana no Sato illumination in Kuwana.

Wider sightseeing across Mie Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Kashiko Island (3.1 km) in Shima (志摩市) includes: Ise Jingu (Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine complex) and Okage Yokocho lane, Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks), Toba pearl islands, Iga-Ueno ninja castle town, and Suzuka Circuit.

Practical Travel Tips for Shima (志摩市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Shima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Iseshi, Toba, Kuwana & Tsu Stations (JR & Kintetsu Limited Express) or Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) for local bus schedules to Kashiko Island (3.1 km) and walking maps of Shima (志摩市).
• Cash & ATMs in Shima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Kashiko Island (3.1 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Shima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Shima: Around Ugata Station (鵜方駅) (0.8 km) and neighboring Toba, Ise, Minamiise, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.