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Ise-Shima NP, Mie
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The cove’s most unexpected local celebrity is Taimee, Minami-Ise’s mascot: the town says Taimee was born here to a sea-bream father and mandarin-orange mother. Birthday: Oct. 1; age: forever 5.
A local folktale gives Kasaragi Pond a mysterious side: Minami-Ise’s collected stories include “The Dragon of Kasaragi Pond,” opening with an ama (woman diver) repeatedly diving for shellfish in its deep water.
In winter, aosa seaweed cultivation nets appear in the heart-shaped Kasaragi Pond below the viewpoint. The scenery is also a glimpse of local food production: aosa is the edible seaweed used in dishes such as miso soup and tempura.
The heart is made by the landscape, not a sculpture—and its outline changes with the tide. The Environment Ministry notes that the heart shape looks even clearer at high tide.
In 2015, Heart Cove became a Lover’s Sanctuary. A vow bell and key stand mark the designation, and visitors can attach heart-shaped “ai-kagi” (love keys)—a small local ritual against a very large sea view.
