Owase is located in southeastern Kii Peninsula, in southern Mie Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean. Ninety percent of the city area is forested or coastal rias.
Neighboring municipalities
Mie Prefecture
*Kumano
*Kihoku
Nara Prefecture
*Kamikitayama
History
The area of present-day Owase was part of ancient Shima Province, but was transferred to Kii Province in 1582. During this time, large-scale forestry projects were begun. The town of Owase was established on April 1, 1889 within Kitamuro District of Mie Prefecture. The modern city of Owase was established on June 20, 1954 by the merger of the town of Owase with the surrounding villages of Sugari and Kuki and the villages of Kitawauchi and Minamiwauchi.
Owase has a humid subtropical climate, with comfortable spring and autumn seasons, and warm winters with practically no snow. The warm Kuroshio Current makes its closest contact with the Japanese coast at Owase, and combined with the high mountains falling almost to the sea, this gives Owase an extremely heavy annual rainfall of, which is the highest in the world at low altitudes in subtropical and warm temperate latitudes. Only certain parts of southern Chile, coastal British Columbia and the Adriatic Sea coast have as much rain at low elevations outside the tropics. Despite the excessive wetness of the climate, summers are no more uncomfortable or humid than in the rest of southern Japan: indeed humidity is marginally lower than on cities close to the Seto Inland Sea or on the southern Sea of Japan.
Magose Toge - a popular hiking trails on the Kumano Kodo - Ise-ji Route. There is a hiking trail which leads to Mt. Tengura, overlooking Owase City. For more information, visit
Kumano Kodo Centre - Constructed entirely from cypress wood, the Kumano Kodo Centre features the origins and history of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. A playground, also made entirely from cypress, is located near the centre.
Yume Kodo - an onsen located near the Kumano Kodo Centre. The facility features deep sea water onsen, which has healing properties, as well as sauna rooms.
Owase Jinja - a Shinto shrine noted for an ancient, sacred tree over 1,000 years old and as the venue for the annual Ya Ya Matsuri.
Kongobu-ji - Buddhist temple built during the Edo period with two fierce-looking deity statues guarding the entrance. It is located just adjacent to the Owase Jinja.
Mikisato Beach - A beautiful white sandy beach, with clear turquoise waters located near the train station.
Sugari - a fishing village located in eastern Owase, best accessed by a 20-minute ferry ride from Owase
Kuki - a fishing village
Festivals & Events
Itadaki Ichi – farmers market held the first Saturday morning of every month, featuring stalls selling Owase's local produce such as fresh seafood, dried fish, sea salt, jam etc. along with special performances by the locals.
Ya Ya Matsuri – the largest festival in Owase, held annually on 1–5 February. In the evenings of 2-4 February, men parade around the streets, jostling each other and chanting "Ya Ya" while drinking sake before the "chosen" ones dive into the sea to purify themselves. The festival ends off with a day-long street parade on the 5th featuring dance performances and an archery contest at Owase Jinja.
Owase Minato Matsuri – a summer festival held on the first Saturday in August with a fireworks display.
Hachiman Jinja Matsuri – held on 15 September annually, beginning with a day-long parade culminating at the local Hachiman Jinja
