Yokoyama Observatory Deck — Attraction in Shima

Yokoyama View Point (横山展望台, Ago Bay) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a traveler who has seen scenic viewpoints across Japan, I found Yokoyama to be one of the most memorable. The panoramic view of Ago Bay, with its intricate coastline, pearl rafts, and countless small islands, is breathtaking. Even on a slightly cloudy day, the scenery feels endless and unique to Mie Prefecture.

The facilities are well thought out, with wide decks, seating, and even a small café serving drinks and light snacks — a welcome pause after the short climb. Access is easy: if the small lot at the top is full, you can park lower down and walk about 7–10 minutes. For those less mobile, there’s also a ramp that makes the observation deck wheelchair-friendly.

A small visitor center nearby offers a virtual reality tour of the national park, which is a fun way to plan further exploration. I recommend pairing a stop here with Ise Jingu or Shima for a full regional experience.

Scenery: 5/5 Facilities & Café:...

This is the place to come to in Shima if would like a panorama view of the Ago Bay. It's a v pleasant and pretty walk around the place with ample parking. There are some steps but it's not taxing at all for most people. There are 4 main places to stop and view the scenery, all within a 500m pathway.

We weren't v lucky with the weather so we didn't manage to catch the sunset, but I think that it would have been a fabulous place to see the sun set over Ago Bay.

There is a cafe right at the first view point. I think that the view there is the prettiest of the four viewpoints, so if you have some time, it might be nice to have a breather and take a coffee there while...

The observation deck here is exceptional, and it's a must-visit when sightseeing in the area. From the deck, you can see the bay and scattered islands, with the scenery appearing even more magnificent under the sunlight. There's also a café at the deck, where you can enjoy the view while having soft-serve ice cream, making for a very comfortable experience. There are two ways to get up the mountain: first, you can park at the lot at the foot of the mountain and take a 15-minute trail, which is well-paved with steps; the second option is to drive up the mountain, but due to limited parking spaces, they control traffic with a one-in-one-out system. We waited...