Toba: Pearl Producing Town of Japan
Toba, Japan is located in the northeast part of Shima-hanto Peninsula. It is part of Mie prefecture. It flourished as a castle town under the Kuki family who ruled the town in the 16th century. It is considered as a tip-off point for those people who will be visiting the Ise-jingu Shrine. The town belongs to the Ise-Shime National Park. There are a lot of islands that are connected to Toba. In 1893, the town started culturing pearls. It is considered the first in the world. Tourists can observe the process of culturing pearls. The town is also known for its restaurants and seafood.
Best Time to Visit
Just like other towns in Mie Prefecture, Toba is very beautiful all throughout the year. Because the ocean surrounds the place, hot summers are very mild. Springtime is the best time to visit the town. It is also perfect for those who want to learn about pearl culturing.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Toba is considered as a commercial resort in the coast of Mie prefecture. The Toba Aquarium has about 850 types of pearl in this museum. For those who want to visit temples, the Bonchoji Temple is the best place to start. There are many Toba hotels in a town like Kaigetsu, which is a 3-star hotel, and about 0.2 miles from the centre. It is also a short walk away from Toba Station. Another 4-star hotel is the Toba Seaside Hotel, located 0.4 miles away from downtown Toba, which offers a seaside view and a wide rage of recreational activities such as an outdoor pool, a hot spring and a game room, for a perfect vacation while in Toba.