Enjoy Japan’s Spirituality, Traditional Culture, and Exceptional Cuisine: Mie Travel Guide

Day 1 starts from JR Toba Station.
Walk Approx. 4 minutes to the Toba Bus Center bus stop, take the bus, and get off at Meotoiwa Higashiguchi.
Once you get off the bus, your next destination, Futami Okitama Shrine, is right there.

This shrine enshrines Sarutahiko Okami as its deity and is said to bring blessings for matchmaking, marital harmony, traffic safety, and more.
From the approach, you can see the famous Meoto Iwa, or “Wedded Rocks”, with the 9-meter male rock and the 4-meter female rock standing side by side.
Many Futami Kaeru frog statues, believed to be messengers of Sarutahiko Okami, have also been dedicated within the shrine grounds.
As their name carries meanings such as “return safely” and “things lent will return,” be sure to pray for a safe return from your trip.

After enjoying Futami Okitama Shrine, head to Ise Jingu Geku, one of the highlights of this model course.
Ise Jingu consists of 125 shrines in total, including Naiku, which enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, regarded as the ancestral deity of the Imperial family, and Geku, which enshrines the guardian deity of clothing, food, shelter, and industry, as well as many auxiliary shrines.
The grounds of Ise Jingu are vast, and Naiku and Geku are Approx. 4 km apart, so keep that in mind.
From Futami Okitama Shrine, walk Approx. 15 minutes to Futaminoura Station, take the JR Sangu Line, and get off at Ise-shi Station.
From Ise-shi Station, walk Approx. 5 minutes to reach Ise Jingu Geku.
The main shrine of Geku is considered a place to offer thanks to the gods, so rather than making personal wishes, it is better to express gratitude for everyday life.
The spacious grounds are covered with lush greenery, and a leisurely stroll beneath the sunlight filtering through the trees is sure to leave both your mind and body feeling refreshed and purified.

After exploring Ise Jingu Geku, it is Approx. 5 minutes on foot to the next stop, Sengu-kan Museum.
For around 1,300 years, Ise Jingu has continued the Shikinen Sengu tradition, in which all shrine buildings are rebuilt and renewed every 20 years for the deity to be ceremonially transferred.
Sengu-kan Museum displays a variety of information about the history and techniques behind Shikinen Sengu.
One of the highlights is the full-scale reproduction of the main sanctuary of Ise Jingu Geku.
You can view up close the main sanctuary of Geku, which cannot normally be seen directly at Ise Jingu, and appreciate the high level of craftsmanship created by skilled artisans.
Enjoy not only Japan’s traditional techniques and culture, but also the history of Ise Jingu.

After experiencing traditional Japanese techniques and culture, head next to Ise Jingu Naiku.
Take the bus from the Geku-mae stop, get off at Jingu Kaikan-mae, and walk Approx. 15 minutes to reach Ise Jingu Naiku.
Founded around 2,000 years ago during the reign of the 11th emperor, Emperor Suinin, Naiku enshrines the sacred mirror Yata no Kagami, one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, as its object of worship.
It enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the deity said to protect all of Japan, and is believed to bring blessings for good fortune and protection from misfortune.
After crossing Uji Bridge, the sacred bridge that connects to the holy world over the Isuzu River, you can walk the long approach and worship at the main sanctuary at the heart of Naiku as well as two auxiliary shrines.
Be sure to recharge your spiritual energy at Naiku as well as Geku.

In front of the torii gate of Ise Jingu Naiku is a street like a shrine town called Oharai-machi, which is bustling every year with many worshippers.
About halfway along Oharai-machi is an area called Okage Yokocho, where buildings from Ise dating from the Edo to Meiji periods have been relocated and reconstructed.
After your visit to Ise Jingu, have lunch at Oharai-machi and Okage Yokocho, about a 10-minute walk away.
You will find many local Ise specialties gathered here, but Fukusuke is especially recommended for trying traditional Ise udon.
The thick, soft, chewy noodles pair perfectly with the house-made soy sauce-based sauce.
There are also many souvenir shops, so be sure to pick up some gifts from Mie as well.

After lunch, walk Approx. 10 minutes to the next stop, Sarutahiko Shrine.
It enshrines Sarutahiko Okami, a deity said to appear at the beginning of all things and guide everything in a positive direction.
It also has a deep connection with Ise Jingu, as Ota no Mikoto, a descendant of Sarutahiko Okami, is said to have recommended the upper reaches of the Isuzu River as the site for Ise Jingu Naiku.
In front of the main building stands an octagonal stone pillar engraved with directions on the site where the former sanctuary once stood, and many people make wishes there in the hope of opening their path forward.
Offer your prayers at Sarutahiko Shrine and ask for a bright path ahead.

After visiting Sarutahiko Shrine, head to Tsukiyomi-no-miya.
It takes Approx. 13 minutes on foot, or Approx. 2 minutes by taxi.
Tsukiyomi-no-miya enshrines Tsukiyomi no Mikoto, the same deity worshipped at Tsukiyomi-no-miya of Ise Jingu Geku.
As the name literally means “reading the moon,” it signifies a deity who governs the phases of the moon.
It also enshrines Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, who appear in Japan’s creation myths, and the sight of the four shrine buildings lined up together is truly majestic.
At the entrance stands a torii gate surrounded by forest, creating a solemn atmosphere.

In the evening, take a taxi Approx. 40 minutes to Kashikojima Ohashi Bridge and enjoy the spectacular view.
Kashikojima Ohashi Bridge connects the main island of Honshu with Kashikojima, the venue of the Ise-Shima Summit.
As the sun begins to set, photographers and sightseers gather here for the sunset, making it a popular scenic spot.
Selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Sunsets, its beautiful evening view of the bright red sun sinking below the horizon captivates all who see it.
Since sunset time varies by season, be sure to check the sunset time for your travel dates in advance.

After taking in the spectacular view, stay at Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic, about a 5-minute walk away, to rest and prepare for Day 2.
Standing on Kashikojima, the largest island floating in Ago Bay, the hotel enjoys an outstanding location overlooking around 60 islands of various sizes.
From the rooftop observatory, you can look out over the beautiful coastline of Ago Bay, while the modern classic guest rooms offer a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
At the hotel restaurant, which makes generous use of seafood from Ise-Shima, enjoy the hotel’s traditional French seafood cuisine, including dishes such as abalone steak and Ise lobster cream soup.

Day 2 begins with Kashikojima Espana Cruise, which departs from Kashikojima.
The boarding area is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
This sightseeing cruise circles Ago Bay for around 50 minutes aboard the Esperanza, a ship modeled after vessels used during Spain’s Age of Discovery.
On the second floor of the ship, you can buy drinks, and there is also a special room called Isabella for a more elegant cruise experience (special room fee required in addition to the fare).
Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze and the rich natural scenery created by islands of all sizes.
The cruise also stops at a model pearl factory, where you can watch a demonstration of pearl nucleus insertion.

After enjoying the cruise around Ago Bay, head to the next spot, Yokoyama Observatory.
Since going by train takes time, a taxi is recommended, as it gets you there in Approx. 15 minutes.
Yokoyama Observatory is located on 140-meter Mt. Yokoyama and offers views of around 60 islands floating in the beautiful sea.
At Yokoyama Tenku Cafe Terrace Mirador Shima on the observation terrace, you can get drinks and food to go and relax while taking in the spectacular satoumi scenery.

After enjoying the views from the cruise, take a taxi to Kintetsu Shima-Yokoyama Station.
Transfer to a train and head to Kintetsu Toba Station.
Around Kintetsu Toba Station, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy seafood nurtured by the sea, such as Ise lobster and abalone, as well as Mie’s famous branded beef, Matsusaka beef.
Enjoy a lunch made with a wide variety of ingredients blessed by nature.

After lunch, head to Toba Bay Cruise and Dolphin Island, about a 5-minute walk from Toba Station.
The Toba Bay Cruise is a Approx. 1-hour sightseeing course that circles from Toba Marine Terminal to Dolphin Island, Pearl Island, and the stop in front of the aquarium.
On Dolphin Island, you can meet popular animals including dolphins and sea lions, as well as cute creatures like otters and tortoises. The seal and dolphin shows are also not to be missed.
Enjoy hands-on animal experiences too, such as touching and feeding the dolphins.

After enjoying the Toba Bay cruise, head to Mikimoto Pearl Island, about a 5-minute walk away.
This is the island where Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in cultivating pearls for the first time in the world in 1893.
On the island, you can tour the Pearl Museum and watch live ama diver demonstrations.
The Pearl Museum displays antique jewelry from the era of natural pearls as well as artworks and crafts made with pearls.
There are also many other highlights, including exhibits where specialist staff explain how pearls are formed using real items, specimens, and videos.
The ama divers’ demonstration, in which they free-dive 16 to 20 feet to collect shellfish, is especially impressive, so enjoy this valuable experience that you can only have here.

After enjoying Mikimoto Pearl Island, head to Toba Aquarium, about a 5-minute walk away.
This historic aquarium opened in 1955, and the number of species kept, which was around 50 at the time of opening, exceeded 1,200 by 2013, making it the largest in Japan.
It is also the only aquarium in Japan that keeps dugongs, and it offers a full range of shows and exhibits.
One of its major features is that you can explore freely at your own pace without having to follow a fixed route.
Toba Aquarium, which boasts the largest number of kept species in Japan, offers plenty to see and can easily be enjoyed for hours.