Ugura Picnic Site
Located in Minami-Ise, Ugura Picnic Site has four viewpoints offering different views of the rocky coastline facing the Kumano Sea. The park has gained popularity as a romantic place for couples to visit due to the beautiful heart-shaped inlet that can be seen from the Mieshima View Point. At night the stars are clearly visible, attracting astronomers to this spot.
A beautiful forest of evergreen broad-leaved trees, designated a special protection zone, can also be appreciated from the Mieshima View Point. It is possible to spot a species of house martin from this observation platform throughout the year. This is a rare sight as this house martin is a migratory bird that normally visits Japan only in spring and summer.
Visitors can enjoy a view of Nie Bay and its fishing villages from the park’s next scenic spot, Kasaragi View Point. Sea bream farms are visible in the distance —these are rectangular cages on the surface of the bay. A pair of red bridges can be seen from the Akebono View Point. They are a Minami-Ise landmark, known locally as the Oyako Ohashi (parent and child bridges) because while they look similar they are different lengths.