Although the modern administrative status of Shima City was only established in the 21st century, the history of these lands dates back to ancient times. The territory historically corresponded to Shima Province, which was established as a separate administrative unit from Ise Province as early as the 8th century (Nara period). Archaeological finds, including ancient burial mounds and settlement remains, indicate that people actively inhabited this coast as far back as the Jomon and Yayoi periods.
Key Factors of Development
The region's growth was determined by its unique location and special relationship with the center of power:
Geography: The complex rias-type coastline with deep Ago Bay created natural harbors ideal for fishing and sheltering ships, though the mountainous terrain made farming difficult.
"Miketsukuni" Status: Since ancient times, Shima held the honorary title of "land of imperial provisions." The region was obligated to supply fresh seafood (especially abalone and spiny lobsters) to the Imperial Court and the Grand Shrine of Ise.
Strategic Position: Located on the sea route between eastern and western Japan, local bays served as important hubs for coastal shipping.
Early Culture and Economy
The region's economic way of life was formed around the sea for centuries. The hallmark of local culture became the Ama—female divers who harvest pearls and shellfish using traditional methods without special equipment. This profession, passed down from generation to generation, formed unique matriarchal traditions within the fishing communities. In the Middle Ages, particularly during the Sengoku period, local waters were controlled by powerful naval clans (such as the Kuki clan), whose fleets played a significant role in the military and political life of Japan.
Timeline
Key Historical Milestones
8th Century — Shima Province was administratively separated from Ise Province, becoming the smallest province in ancient Japan and a supplier of seafood to the Imperial Court.
Late 16th Century — The Kuki clan, possessing a powerful fleet, strengthened its influence in the region, controlling the sea routes and Ago Bay.
1871 — During the Meiji Restoration and the abolition of the feudal system, the territory of the current city became part of Mie Prefecture.
1893 — Kokichi Mikimoto successfully produced the world's first cultured pearls on an island in Ago Bay, laying the foundation for the local pearl industry.
1929 — Service began on the Shima Electric Railway, marking the start of modern transport links in the region.
1946 — The region was included in the Ise-Shima National Park, the first national park created in Japan in the post-war period.
1970 — The modernization of the Kintetsu railway line was completed, allowing for direct express trains from major metropolises and increasing the flow of tourists.
1994 — The Shima Spain Village (Parque España) theme park opened, becoming a major entertainment center for the region.
2004 — The modern city of Shima was officially formed on October 1 through the merger of five towns: Hama, Daiyo, Shima, Ago, and Isobe.
2016 — The city hosted the 42nd G7 Summit, with the main events taking place on Kashikojima Island.
Milestones
Stages of Urban Transformation
Shima's development is a journey from scattered fishing villages to an international-class resort. Here are the key milestones that shaped the modern look and economy of the city:
Birth of the Pearl Industry (1893): Kokichi Mikimoto's success in cultivating pearls on an island in Ago Bay was an economic breakthrough. This event transformed the region from a supplier of raw seafood into a global center for jewelry art, creating a unique tourist and commercial brand known worldwide.
National Park Status (1946): The inclusion of the territory into the first post-war Ise-Shima National Park defined its urban planning policy. Priority was given to preserving the unique rias coastlines and forests, which saved the region from heavy industrialization and solidified its status as an ecological resort.
Transport Integration (1970s): The modernization of Kintetsu railway lines and the launch of direct express trains from Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya broke the peninsula's isolation. This led to a boom in domestic tourism, allowing residents of major metropolises to reach the coast quickly.
Development of the Entertainment Cluster (1994): The opening of the Shima Spain Village ("Parque España") theme park diversified the tourism offering. The city began to attract not only nature and gastronomy lovers but also families with children, turning into a comprehensive entertainment hub.
Administrative Consolidation (2004): The merger of five towns into the single city of Shima allowed for optimized management. This gave impetus to the creation of unified infrastructure, improvement of the road network, and integrated promotion of the region as a cohesive tourist destination.
International Recognition (2016): Hosting the G7 Summit on Kashikojima Island was the culmination of the hotel sector's development. This event confirmed the city's ability to host top-level guests and stimulated hotel renovations and service improvements to world standards.
Architecture
Architectural Landscape and Urban Planning
Shima's urban structure is unique because it lacks a single monolithic center. Instead, the city is a conglomerate of small settlements scattered along a complex rias coastline. The region's architecture has developed in close connection with the sea, evolving from simple fishing villages to world-class resort complexes.
Traditional Construction and Sacred Architecture
The historical layer of Shima's architecture is represented by traditional Japanese forms adapted to the humid maritime climate and mountainous terrain.
Folk Architecture (Minka): In older districts like Daiyo and Hamajima, dense clusters of wooden houses with tiled roofs designed to withstand typhoons have been preserved. A characteristic feature is the narrow, winding streets that descend toward the ports.
Shinmei-zukuri Style: A striking example of sacred architecture is the Izawanomiya Shrine (Isobe). It is built in an ancient style closely related to that of the Grand Shrine of Ise: simple lines, the use of unpainted cypress, and thatched roofs symbolizing purity and harmony with nature.
Resort Modernism (Showa Period)
With the growth of tourism in the mid-20th century, iconic examples of Japanese modernism emerged in the region, seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape of the national park.
Shima Kanko Hotel (The Classic): Built in 1951 and designed by the renowned architect Togo Murano, this hotel became the architectural landmark of Kashikojima Island. The building combines modernist principles with traditional Japanese elements (such as the use of wood in interiors and panoramic glazing), creating an atmosphere of "rustic" comfort on the scale of a grand hotel.
Thematic Architecture and Eclecticism (Late 20th Century)
In the 1990s, fueled by the economic bubble and the boom in theme parks, Shima's architectural landscape was enriched by unexpected European motifs.
Spanish Style: The Shima Spain Village theme park and its adjacent hotels recreate the architecture of Andalusia and Castile. White plastered walls, terracotta tiles, patios with fountains, and paved squares create a vivid contrast with the surrounding Japanese nature, forming a unique Mediterranean-style resort zone.
Infrastructure Design
Engineering structures connecting the islands and peninsulas play an important role in the city's appearance.
Shima Ohashi Bridge: This elegant arched structure connecting the mainland to Kashikojima Island has become one of the symbols of modern Shima.
Observation Decks: Modern viewing platforms (for example, on Mount Yokoyama) are designed in an eco-minimalist style, using natural wood and glass to avoid disrupting the visual harmony of the panoramic views over Ago Bay.
Notable People
Historical Figures and Legendary Personalities
Kuki Yoshitaka (1542–1600) Role: Daimyo, naval commander, head of the Kuki clan.
Significance: A native of the Nakiri district (now part of Shima City). He gained fame as the commander of the powerful Kuki fleet (Kuki Suigun), which dominated the waters of the Ise-Shima region during the Sengoku period. He served Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, playing a key role in naval battles through the use of innovative "iron ships" for that time.
Kokichi Mikimoto (1858–1954) Role: Entrepreneur, inventor, the "Pearl King."
Significance: Although born in the neighboring city of Toba, his greatest achievement is inextricably linked with Shima. It was here, on Tatoku Island in Ago Bay, that in 1893 he successfully produced the world's first cultured pearls. This discovery transformed the region into the global center of the pearl industry.
Modern Celebrities and Athletes
Mai Yamaguchi (born 1983) Role: Professional volleyball player.
Significance: A native of Shima City. She played for the Okayama Seagulls club and the Japanese national team. She won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, becoming the pride of her hometown.
Noriyoshi Omichi (born 1969) Role: Professional baseball player, coach.
Significance: Born in the village of Daiyo (which became part of Shima). Known for a long and successful career in the Japanese Professional League (NPB), playing for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Yomiuri Giants. He was famous for his skill as a pinch hitter.
Mai Takeuchi (born 1993) Role: Singer, pop idol.
Significance: Born and raised in Shima. A former member of the popular Japanese idol group SKE48 (Team S). She was actively involved in the entertainment industry and events promoting Mie Prefecture.