Not Just Ise Jingu! 11 Must-Visit Popular Spots for Sightseeing in Ise

The main gateway for a trip to Ise City is Iseshi Station, the entrance to the Ise pilgrimage and the nearest station to Ise Jingu.
Two lines serve the station, the JR Sangu Line and the Kintetsu Yamada Line. They are connected inside the ticket gates, but the exits differ between the north and south sides.
Once you leave the station, you cannot return to the connecting passage, so be careful to choose the correct exit after arriving. Also keep in mind that the JR side is generally closer to the main sightseeing spots.
Below is a summary table showing how to get to Iseshi Station from Japan’s major cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.

Walking and buses are the main ways to get around sightseeing spots in Ise.
The area around Ise Jingu Geku can be reached in about 5 minutes on foot from Iseshi Station, and because it is relatively compact, it is recommended to enjoy the townscape and approach roads as you walk.
For Naiku and other spots, you can get around efficiently by using buses that operate from major stations such as Iseshi Station, Ujiyamada Station, and Isuzugawa Station.
In particular, the CAN Bus sightseeing loop bus connecting tourist spots between Ise and Toba, and the Sangu Bus, the only route bus to the Mt. Asama area, are very convenient.

The best seasons for sightseeing in Ise are spring and fall, when the weather is mild and it is comfortable for shrine visits and strolling around town.
In spring, fresh greenery appears along the approach roads, and you can enjoy a relaxed walk along the Isuzu River and through Oharai-machi and Okage Yokocho.
Cherry blossoms further enhance the serene scenery of the shrines, making it great for photos, and it is also a pleasant time to enjoy outdoor street food.
In contrast, fall brings crisp, clear air and beautiful views of the sea and islands, along with vivid autumn leaves coloring the Jingu grounds.
It is also the season when seafood is at its richest, adding to the appeal with a wide variety of local flavors to enjoy.

One place you should definitely visit together with Ise Jingu Naiku is “Oharai-machi and Okage Yokocho.”
Oharai-machi is a beautiful street about 800 m long that stretches from Uji Bridge, right next to Naiku, toward Sarutahiko Shrine.
Along the stone-paved road lined with traditional gabled buildings in the kirizuma-tsumairi style, many restaurants and souvenir shops stand side by side, letting you enjoy strolling through town while still feeling the afterglow of your shrine visit.
Located in the middle of Oharai-machi is Okage Yokocho, where representative buildings from the Iseji route of the Edo period (1603–1868) to the Meiji period (1868–1912) have been faithfully recreated and relocated.
Its details have been carefully crafted, creating a retro atmosphere that feels as if you have stepped back in time.
Within a site of about 4,000 tsubo, around 50 shops are gathered, and in addition to strolling and sampling food, traditional performances such as kamishibai storytelling and Shinnon Daiko drumming are also held.
Both places let you experience the culture and everyday life that are unique to Ise, and another attraction is the chance to try a variety of local dishes.
In particular, be sure to try famous specialties such as Akafuku mochi, Ise udon, and hitsumabushi.

This sightseeing boat departs from Kashikojima, cruises around Ago Bay for about 35 minutes, stops for a visit to a pearl model factory, and then returns to Kashikojima Port, for a total trip time of Approx. 50 minutes.
The sightseeing ship Esperanza, modeled after vessels used during Spain’s Age of Discovery, is a sailing ship-style boat with three masts and an observation deck.
Drinks are served on the second floor of the boat, and there is also a special room called Isabella for a more elegant cruise experience (an additional special room fee is required on top of the fare).

This shrine enshrines Sarutahiko Okami, a deity said to appear at the beginning of things and guide everything in a good direction.
It also has deep ties to 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.
Within the grounds is Sarume Shrine, dedicated to Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto, who is said to have performed kagura when Amaterasu Omikami hid herself in the cave.

Ise Sea Paradise is an aquarium in Ise City located near Meoto Iwa, the “Wedded Rocks,” where two rocks of different sizes float in the sea.
This facility is popular for its “zero distance” encounters with a wide variety of marine animals and fish.
In addition to performances such as sea lion shows, walrus walking time, and Steller sea lion feeding time, one of its attractions is the large number of events where you can actually touch the animals.

One of the largest indoor shopping facilities in the Ise-Shima area, attached to Ise Sea Paradise, the popular aquarium known for its “zero distance” exhibits.
The approximately 180 m street directly connected to Ise Sea Paradise is lined with around 20 shops offering Ise specialties, souvenir stores, and hands-on experience facilities.
There is also a great selection of easy-to-eat handheld foods, making it fun to snack as you walk around.

This shrine enshrines Sarutahiko Okami and is said to bring blessings for matchmaking, marital harmony, and traffic safety.
Since ancient times, there has been a custom called “Hama-sangu,” in which people purified themselves in the seawater of Futamiura before visiting Ise Jingu, and many bathed in the tide to cleanse body and mind.
Today, even without entering the sea, it is said that receiving the Muku Shioharai purification ritual at the shrine serves as a substitute for this cleansing.
An ideal plan is to visit Futamiokitama Shrine first and then visit Jingu with a purified heart.

Famous for the sight of two rocks standing side by side off the coast of Futamiura: the 9 m-tall male rock and the 4 m-tall female rock.
They are considered a symbol of marital harmony and are also a popular spiritual spot visited by women wishing for a good match and by couples.
They are regarded as a torii gate for worshipping Okitama Shinseki, a sacred stone lying 700 m offshore, as well as the sunrise, and have been an object of faith since ancient times. Meoto Iwa can be viewed from the approach to Futamiokitama Shrine.

A 16.3 km-long scenic drive connecting Ise and Toba (also known as the “Sky Driveway”).
Its main attraction is the spectacular view over Ise Bay and the beautiful islands of Ise-Shima as it crosses Mt. Asama, which rises to 555 m above sea level.
There are also several observation points along the route where you can enjoy refreshing driving together with beautiful natural scenery.
At the summit, there is an observation deck with a 360-degree panoramic view, a scenic footbath, and a shop where you can buy souvenirs.
There are also plenty of highlights, including the lovers’ landmark “Sky Post” and Kongoshoji Temple, a famous temple said to protect the northeast demon gate of Ise Jingu.

A theme park where you can experience Japanese history and culture, symbolized by a life-size reproduction of Azuchi Castle’s main keep.
Inside the park are plenty of attractions that let you feel like a ninja, including a shuriken dojo, archery experiences, the “Real RPG” ninja training challenge, and “Ninja Forest Adventure,” an authentic tree trekking course with heights from 1 m to 10 m.

A specialty store that has processed and sold pearl jewelry for many years in Ise-Shima, an area known for active pearl production and as the “home of pearls.”
It is located near Futami Meoto Iwa, one of the representative sightseeing spots of Ise-Shima.
In addition to enjoying a relaxed shopping experience in a space filled with beautiful pearls and jewelry, the Akoya pearl extraction experience is especially popular.
It offers the rare opportunity to take a real Akoya pearl out of a genuine Akoya oyster.

Garuda Ise is a kimono rental shop that opened in front of Ise City Hall in September 2024.
Ise Jingu Geku is just a 3-minute walk from the shop, and the bus stop for buses bound for Naiku is also only a 2-minute walk away, making it popular for visiting Ise in kimono.
In addition to a wide variety of kimono, guests can easily enjoy wearing traditional Japanese clothing with colorful options such as obi belts, footwear, hair accessories, umbrellas, and bags, along with dressing assistance from staff.

Located northeast of Ise Jingu, Kawasaki is a town that prospered from the Edo period as the “kitchen of Ise,” supplying goods to people visiting on pilgrimage.
It spreads along the middle reaches of the Seta River flowing through Ise City, and although some townhouses and storehouses were lost due to river improvement work following flood damage, its historic streetscape still remains today.
Along Kawasaki Hondori, which runs parallel to the Seta River, townhouses and storehouses with kirizuma-style roofs line the street.
It is fun to stroll mainly along this street, stopping by cafes, places where you can eat Ise udon, and small goods shops.

A long-established wagyu specialty shop with more than 110 years of history. It sells only female Japanese Black cattle that have never calved, carefully raised by exclusive contract farmers near Ise.
The croquettes, widely known as a Butasute specialty, quickly became popular after takeout sales began at the Okage Yokocho branch. Made generously with minced Japanese Black beef, they offer the kind of delicious flavor only a butcher shop can provide, letting you casually enjoy the rich taste of high-quality Ise beef.

A udon restaurant located in Okage Yokocho, in the middle of Oharai-machi, the lively street in front of Ise Jingu Naiku. It serves Ise udon, a local specialty that has long been loved as an essential taste of the Ise pilgrimage.
What defines Ise udon is its thick, soft noodles and rich sauce. Fukusuke’s Ise udon stays true to that tradition, using thick noodles with a soft yet chewy texture. Its dark brown sauce is homemade, made with rich tamari soy sauce and natural dashi for deep flavor.

Located in Okage Yokocho, the lively district in front of Ise Jingu lined with restaurants and souvenir shops.
The specialty here is tekone-zushi, a local dish beloved in the Ise-Shima area.
Tekone-zushi is said to have originated as a hearty fishermen’s meal in Shima, where bonito fishing once flourished. Fishermen would slice freshly caught bonito on the spot, season it with soy sauce, and mix it by hand with rice before eating it.

A riverside cafe with the feel of a traditional Japanese house, located in Okage Yokocho near the approach to Ise Jingu Naiku.
Its charm lies in its soothing atmosphere, where you can relax while looking out over the Isuzu River from any seat.
Inside, exposed beams create the ambiance of an old Japanese home, making it a comfortable place to unwind during a break from shrine visits or strolling.
Isuzugawa Cafe’s pride is its authentic blend coffee (medium roast/deep roast), carefully prepared withネル drip brewing and a strong commitment to quality from bean selection to roasting and extraction.
It is especially recommended to enjoy a mellow cup with restrained acidity together with seasonal sweets.

Daiki is a long-established kappo restaurant founded in 1945 and in business since just after World War II.
Although it is a prestigious establishment patronized by the Imperial Household Agency and the Jingu Administration Office, it is also popular with both tourists and locals for its approachable service and heartfelt hospitality.
The cuisine is based on Japanese dishes made generously with the rich bounty of the mountains and sea of Ise-Shima, and the menu caters to a wide range of needs with course meals, set meals, rice bowls, and à la carte dishes.
In particular, dishes made with Ise-Shima’s famous spiny lobster are a specialty, prepared in various ways such as ikezukuri sashimi, grilled in the shell, and stewed armor-style.

A hot spring ryokan located right by Iseshi Station at the entrance to the approach road leading to Ise Jingu Geku.
Its greatest feature is that it has the only natural hot spring that springs up in central Ise City, and all 45 guest rooms come with their own private open-air bath.
The spring water is alkaline and is known as “Bijin no Yu,” or “beauty bath,” because it helps break down old skin cells.
The guest rooms are mainly Japanese-Western style and offer spacious layouts, allowing guests to relax in a private setting after visiting Ise Jingu.
The property also features a large open-air bath and a loyly sauna, and its carefully prepared meals made with local ingredients are highly regarded, resulting in high overall guest satisfaction.

A city hotel in an excellent location, just Approx. 2 minutes on foot from the north exit of Kintetsu Iseshi Station.
It is ideal as a base for sightseeing in Ise, with Ise Jingu Geku about Approx. 15 minutes away on foot, Naiku about Approx. 15 minutes by car, and free parking available with unlimited entry and exit during your stay.
With around 100 guest rooms and a full range of facilities including free Wi-Fi, humidifiers, and a coin laundry, it is easy to use in a variety of travel situations.
In particular, guests highly praise the large public bath and sauna (with outdoor/indoor air bath spaces), which are perfect for relaxing after sightseeing.

An apartment-style hotel located about a 7-minute walk from Iseshi Station on all lines.
Opened in December 2021, it is a newer property, and its interiors inspired by Ise Jingu offer a stylish Japanese-modern atmosphere.
All 36 guest rooms come equipped with a full set of amenities and basic facilities, as well as a kitchen, microwave, refrigerator, and cooking utensils.
Its appeal lies in the home-like comfort, making it well suited for families, groups, and travelers staying for a longer period.
The popular Nagasaki bakery cafe JUNE COFFEE, attached to the lobby, is also worth checking out.

Toba is a coastal city centered around Toba Station, which can be reached directly from Iseshi Station in Approx. 20 minutes on the JR Sangu Line.
It is a sightseeing destination where you can enjoy the seascapes of Ise-Shima, including beautiful ria coast inlets, many remote islands, and crystal-clear waters.
It offers a well-balanced mix of nature, history, culture, hands-on experiences, and gourmet food, with plenty to see and do.
It is also a center of ama diver culture and is registered as a Japan Heritage site under the title “Toba and Shima, the Town Where You Meet Ama Women—Women Living by Skin Diving.”
Here, we’ll introduce some of the most popular sightseeing spots.

Shima is an area centered around Ugata Station, which can be reached directly from Iseshi Station in Approx. 50 minutes on the Kintetsu Yamada Line.
Internationally, it is known as the host location of the 2016 Ise-Shima Summit.
The entire city lies within Ise-Shima National Park, and its blend of beautiful nature and rich culture attracts many visitors.
In particular, the spectacular ria coastline stretching across Ago Bay is breathtaking, with scenery formed by islands of all sizes so beautiful that it is often called “the original landscape of Japan.”
It also offers plenty of sea-related experiences such as pearl workshops and marine activities.
Here, let’s take a look at some of its most popular sightseeing spots.