The '''Mie Center for the Arts''' (三重県総合文化センター ''mie-ken sōgō bunka sentā'') is large complex in [[Tsu]] supported by the prefectural government. It houses the Mie Prefectural Library, a concert and rehearsal hall, a women's center, an art gallery, and more. It also puts up a nice light display around Christmas time.

It is significant to the Mie JET community as it is the location of the [[ALT Mid-Year Seminar]], a two-day event held in mid-January each year that is mandatory for all ALTs in Mie.

It is significant to the Mie JET community as it is the location of the [[ALT Mid-Year Seminar]], a two-day event held in mid-January each year that is mandatory for all ALTs in Mie. Though the official "venue" of the seminar may be the Gender Equality Center or some other name, in reality they are all part of the Mie Center for the Arts complex.

''Note'': This facility is sometimes referred to as the 文化会館 (''bunka kaikan''). '''There are two facilities in Tsu that could be termed "''bunka kaikan''"'''. Be sure to use its official name (''sōgō bunka center''), especially when searching for its location on services like Google maps.

#You will pass the [[Mie Prefectural Education Center]] where the November [[ALT Planning Meeting|planning meeting]] was held. '''The Mid-Year Seminar is not held here, keep going straight'''.

#About 30 minutes out from Tsu Station you should see a large complex on your right, with a pond in front of it and a large parking lot adjacent -- you have arrived.

#There is a roundabout right outside the exit. Go to the bus stop directly across the roundabout from the station (the one actually on the roundabout).