A new spot themed around medicinal herbs has opened at "VISON," a large commercial resort in Taki Town, Mie Prefecture. From herb gardens where you can see and learn, to traditional medicine experience shops, it is attracting attention as a "medicinal education hub" that heals both mind and body. Yoshi reported on its charm.

What is the latest spot that opened in April this year? The evolving resort "VISON" where "new things are added every time I visit"

"VISON" is a large commercial resort spread across a mountain slope, offering shopping, hotels, and a variety of experience content. The facility already has the popular "Honzo-yu" (herbal bath), which attracts many visitors with its open-air baths featuring seasonal medicinal herbs.

(Yoshi)
"Ah... it feels so good!"

This year, even more new spots have been added to VISON.

(Yoshi)
"New things are added every time I visit."

"An art piece like a medicinal herb encyclopedia where you can see and learn" Human-shaped herb garden "Herb Man"

(Yoshi)
"What is that!? A big human shape!? Is that grass!?"

The facility that just opened in April this year is the recommended spot, "Herb Man."

(Public Relations, Saori Imaharu)
"This is a human-shaped herb garden. You can learn about medicinal herbs that are said to be effective for hands, arms, internal organs, stomach, etc. It's an art piece like a medicinal herb encyclopedia where you can see and learn."

Medicinal herbs corresponding to various body parts are actually planted, and you can learn about the herbs for each part by seeing them, for example, in the section with a sign for "Yukishita" (Saxifrage).

(Yoshi)
"I like alcohol, but I want to stay healthy and keep drinking it."

(Public Relations, Saori Imaharu) 
"For the liver, it's Dokudami (Houttuynia cordata). Dokudami is said to have detoxification and detoxifying effects."

Herb picking experience too! What is the container cafe where you can enjoy medicinal herb drinks?

At Herb Man, you can also enjoy a herb picking experience. When Yoshi actually picked a Dokudami leaf, a rather unique scent wafted up.

(Yoshi)
"It smells wild."

(Public Relations, Saori Imaharu)
"Today, we will also be offering a cafe menu using these Dokudami leaves."

At the nearby container cafe, you can enjoy drinks made with medicinal herbs planted in Herb Man. What was served was "Dokudami and Ripe Plum & Pineapple Soda." As soon as Yoshi took a sip, his impression immediately came out!

(Yoshi)
"Delicious! This is refreshing and easy to drink on a hot day. When you drink it, the flavor of Dokudami enters your mouth, and it's delicious and good for your body, so it's hitting two birds with one stone."

Seeing, touching, and drinking, experiencing medicinal herbs through all five senses is the greatest charm of Herb Man.

"Ise Kusuri Honpo" inheriting the 600-year tradition of Ise

VISON also has another experience spot, "Ise Kusuri Honpo," which just opened in March this year.

They sell traditional medicine "Mankintan," which has a 600-year history in Ise, as well as craft cola syrup blended with medicinal herbs. Furthermore, you can also experience "cordial syrup making."

(Representative, Hiroaki Kato)
"While experiencing tasks like grinding medicine into powder, you will ultimately make a cordial syrup."

You select from a total of 20 types of herbs and spices, including cinnamon and cardamom, according to your physical condition. Yoshi was very excited during the process of grinding and crushing them with tools that have been used to make medicine since ancient times, exclaiming, "Oh! It broke!"

Add your favorite fragrant flowers and put them in a bottle to complete it. If you take it home and add hot water and leave it for 5 hours, the syrup will be ready. The syrup is recommended to be diluted with water or added to tea.

(Yoshi)
"It's something that children can easily do, and they can take home their own original creation at the end! This is a fun experience."

(Yoshi)
"Today's recommended catchphrase! 'Not just experiences, but health as a souvenir!'"

VISON's new spot offers not just experiences, but health itself as a souvenir. This summer, an event called "Ryo VISON" will also be held, featuring a variety of refreshing menu items made with ingredients from Mie Prefecture that can only be tasted here. Why not enjoy your own "health experience" at VISON by seeing, learning, eating, and making?

From CBC TV "Chant!" broadcast on June 17, 2026