「NEMU RESORTOur 3-night, 4-day trip to Ise-Shima, spent at "[hotel name]", is finally coming to an end. Our last stop was Japan's largest integrated resort, "[hotel name]".VISON / Vison". By the time we arrived in Vision, it had started to rain lightly. Thinking, "It might rain a little," I got out of the car, but strangely enough, the rain stopped for about an hour while I was shopping, and I was able to finish my planned shopping smoothly. Even small strokes of luck like this become cherished memories when traveling.
VISON boasts a vast site, but this time I knew exactly what I wanted to buy, so I had already decided which areas I would visit. Going directly from the parking lot to my target area allows for efficient movement even in such a large facility. Having visited before, finding my own efficient way to navigate VISON is one of its joys.
Since its grand opening on July 20, 2021, VISON has attracted many tourists from all over Japan as a space of overwhelming scale themed around "food, nature, art, and healing." Last year, when I first visited, I enjoyed walking around the vast grounds and visiting various shops, making new discoveries. This time, I wanted to enjoy VISON in a slightly different way. My purpose wasn't sightseeing, but rather to reunite with my favorite flavors, something I'd been wanting to buy again. My first stop was "Marché VISON," a popular area known as the "kitchen of food." Here, I went again to buy the fresh orange juice that had impressed me so much last time.
I couldn't forget how delicious it was when I bought it last year, so I decided that "whenever I come to Mie, I'll stop by VISON again." The tastes I encountered while traveling remind me of my trips every time they appear on my everyday dinner table. It's because of this kind of enjoyment that shopping became one of the purposes of this trip.
Oka Farm Seminole Juice 720ml 1,080 yen
Mie Prefecture is one of Japan's leading producers of mandarins. In particular, the Kishu region in the south (Mihama Town, Kiho Town, Kumano City, etc.) is blessed with a warm climate and is known as a town where mandarins can be harvested all year round, and mandarin cultivation is thriving there. Last time I bought calamondin, but this time I bought from a family of mandarin farmers in Kiho TownOka FarmI got my hands on some Seminole juice. This 100% juice is made from fresh Seminole grapes harvested this year, squeezed whole for a luxurious taste. It's a sweet and sour juice with a great balance of refreshing sweetness and acidity, perfect for the hot summer.
The booths in the direct-from-the-farm series feature different vendors each day, making it easy to drop by and enjoy the experience—a key reason for its popularity.
"Aosa seaweed tsukudani" (180g) 324 yen
I also got my hands on "Aosa Nori Tsukudani," made with Aosa seaweed from Ise-Shima. The rich aroma of the sea and the flavor that brings out the taste of the ingredients make it perfect not only as a side dish for rice, but also for rice balls and ochazuke (rice with tea).
Meyer Lemon Jam, 120g, 1,278 yen
I also purchased "Meyer Lemon Jam" from "Kumano Green Farm," which aims for sustainable agriculture while coexisting with nature and animals. This jam uses both the pulp and peel of Meyer lemons, which are known for their refreshing aroma and mellow acidity. It's a sophisticated jam that's not too sweet, with a firm acidity and a pleasant bitterness from the peel. Mix it with sparkling water to make lemon squash, add it to tea, or use it as a topping for yogurt or spread it on toast to make your breakfast a little more luxurious.
Last time, I was able to enjoy San Sebastián Street at my leisure, but this time I only glanced at it. I hurried to my destination.
The Mahoro Bridge, which was under construction when I last visited, was now complete. The wooden deck gleamed softly after the rain, and the view of Vision from the bridge was a beautiful sight, a fitting end to my trip.
Since it was a weekday during the rainy season, every area had a calm atmosphere. Being able to visit the shops I wanted to go to at my own pace without worrying about crowds was one of the charms of this day.
Next, we visited "WA VISON," a place that brings together Japanese food culture.
It's no exaggeration to say that the main reason I came here was for the limited-edition Mirin sold exclusively at VISON. Since using it last year, I've been captivated by its wonderful flavor and have wanted to buy it again.
A brewery in Mikawa, Aichi Prefecture, continues to produce the traditional "Sanshu Mikawa Mirin"Kakutani Bunjiro Shoten Co., Ltd."VISON store"Virin de ISEThis brewery carries on the traditional Mikawa method, using rice from Taki Town to brew mirin, and sells "Mirin," which is exclusive to VISON.
"Mirin" 500ml 1,446yen
I loved the mellow and rich flavor of the "Mirin" I bought last time. After finishing it, I went back to "Sanshu Mikawa Mirin," but I couldn't forget the deep flavor it brought to my dishes, and I found that "Mirin" suited my taste better. One of the reasons I visited VISON this time was to buy this bottle again. I was surprised to find that the price had gone up by about 400 yen since my last visit, but it's still my favorite seasoning that changes the way my dishes turn out. I'll use it carefully and incorporate it into my home cooking again.
This mirin is made using only glutinous rice from designated domestic production areas, rice koji, and homemade rice shochu. At the store, you can sample the mirin (with or without alcohol), allowing you to enjoy the difference in taste.
A miso specialty store that sells local miso from all over Japan, from professional use to general consumers.Kuranoya"fart.
"Kuranoya" offers around 30 different types of miso collected from all over Japan, and you can purchase them by weight starting from 100g. Because you can try small amounts, it's the perfect shop for those who want to compare and contrast various types of miso.
Last time, I bought 100g each of three different types to try them out, but this time I bought 700g of "Ise no Akadashi," which has become my favorite, in a special case. Furthermore, this time I asked the staff for their recommendations and chose 100g each of three different types to try, as I look forward to finding a new favorite. The fact that they stock miso from all over Japan is one of the charms of "Kuranoya," as it allows you to compare the tastes in small amounts like this.
Furthermore, Kuranoya also holds a "Miso Making Class" every day. In the class, you can mix steamed soybeans, rice koji, salt, and starter miso to make your own unique miso. The finished miso will weigh about 1.4 kg (enough for about 90 bowls of miso soup). Take the miso home and let it mature for 4 to 6 months to develop a rich, homemade flavor. *In the summer, it will be ready to eat after about 1 month. Taking home the miso-making experience as a souvenir of your trip is another unique pleasure of Kuranoya.
When we shop at VISION, if a store doesn't allow dogs, we take turns going inside. Chocolat always waits patiently during that time, so we can shop at our own pace without worry.
Our style of traveling with our dog is to cherish the time we spend together while enjoying ourselves at a pace that is comfortable for Chocolat.
The last place I stopped by after finishing my shopping was Tsukiji Fish Market, which was founded in 1871.Ogume"Directly managed"Additive-free store Ome Mie VISON store"fart.
Here, creating your own original, custom-made dashi pack using domestically sourced natural ingredients is also a popular option.
A tasting corner is set up in the store where you can sample additive-free dashi (broth), allowing you to fully appreciate the subtle differences in flavor.
A sip of the fragrant Japanese-style broth gently soothed my body with its mild umami flavor, soothing away the fatigue of my journey.
At "Okume," you'll find a selection of products from all over Japan, each one so appealing that it's hard to choose. This time, I headed to the dairy section at the back of the store and found garlic butter from "Kimata Farm," which is irresistible for garlic lovers, and...Hiruzen JerseyI bought some fragrant smoked cheese. Both are favorite items I discovered on my travels that will make my usual meals a little more luxurious.
Travel isn't just about visiting tourist spots; a major appeal of travel is finding places that make you think, "I want to go back and buy that again." VISON was one of those places that I wanted to visit again and again.
I bought several of my favorite seasonings, jams, and souvenirs at VISON. Bringing back delicious things I encountered on my travels allows me to enjoy the lingering memories of my trip even after returning home. Every time I cook or set a meal on the table, I'm sure I'll be reminded of the four days I spent in Ise-Shima. I'll be sharing more details about my favorite items on Instagram.
VISON / Vison
Address: 672-1 Vison, Taki-cho, Taki-gun, Mie Prefecture 519-2170
TEL: 0598-39-3190
https://vison.jp/
