Here's a map with the places I visited labeled in red. Most of my wanderings took place in the Nagoya area and I lived in a suburb town called Kasugai (not labeled for purpose of map clarity)

Just out for a Sunday stroll at Meiji Mura.

Some more Ise pictures to keep you entertained.

Top: I liked this tree, so I took a picture. Isn't it neat?

Not quite top: The man on the right is a complete stranger. He took a picture of us posing in front of the shrine, joined the group for a few pics and walked away. Still no clue who he is or why he seems to like foreigners so much.

Not quite bottom: More pretty stuff.

Bottom: This is the sign above the sacred horse of the Ise shrine. Basically, it says, "do not feed the sacred horse."

I went with some friends to an outdoor museum near Nagoya called Meiji Mura (Meiji Village). It has about 60-70 buildings from the Meiji period of Japanese history (roughly 1870-WWI) when Japan opened up to Western culture and influence.

Top: This building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Not quite top: They had an authentic Meiji era school house
Not quite bottom: with modern era students
Bottom: Searching for modern washroom facilities in an old fashioned village can be quite tiring

Even the toilets in Meiji Mura resemble their ancestors.

Hard Rock Nagoya

Top: The Japanese National motto is proudly displayed here.

Not quite top: Meet Trouble Tribe Japan: an Irishman who made the mistake of falling in love with a Greek girl who somehow led him the land of the rising sun, a Californian child of missionaries in Japan and two natives who dream of someday playing in the US.

Not quite bottom: The birthday party group

Bottom: They have song called "Monkey Magic," so naturally, we came prepared to honor their lyrical versatility.