This ancient shrine Ise Shrine has a history going back 2000 years and holds an important place in Japanese history and culture. Located in the midst of a deep and ancient forest, it was originally dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, the ancestral goddess of the Imperial Family and the overall patron goddess of Japan, and is noted for its simplistic and authentic beauty. The shrine itself is rebuilt every 20 years to uphold a long-standing tradition. From ages past people come from all over Japan to worship at the shrine.
Ise Shrine is an extensive complex of the most sacred shrines in Japan consisting of as many as 125 shrines centering around the Naiku ("inner shrine") and the Geku ("outer shrine"). Most associated shrines such as Tsukiyominomiya are located in the Ise-Shima area.
In 1893, Mikimoto Pearl Island gave the world its first cultured pearl. Today, you can visit the tiny isle which started it all. Situated in the blue waters of Toba Bay, the surrounding sea will enchant you with its beauty. (Pearls are also available for purchase.)
Commerson's Dolphins, fascinating sea otters, and approximately 380 other species of marine animals will amaze and delight you at the Toba Aquarium.
Enjoy the saw-toothed coastline as well as the Ise Bay on the 16.3 km drive connecting the Ise Shrine and Toba. At the top of the mountain lies the Kongo-Shoji Temple, which legend says protects the demon gate of the Ise Shrine.
The Pearl Road is a coastal highway between Toba and Okushima.
This pair of rocks is situated in the sea off Tachiishizaki in the precincts of Futami-Okitama Shrine. The sacred rocks are linked by five huge straw ropes which are replaced in May, September and December every year.
Okage Yokocho recreates the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional street of the Edo Era. It is an ideal place to visit after Ise Shrine. There are shops with local products such as the typical udon noodles of Ise, Akafuku-mochi rice cakes, Matsusaka beef, and others.
There are also museums related to shrine visiting, Haiku poets and the printmakers along the Ise Route
The excursion bus "CAN bus" departs from Toba bus station, which is in front of the Kintetsu Toba station.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/ttp/ptg/
Please refer to the Ise-Shima page in the Kansai area.
Mooving to the website of Japan National Tourism Organization.
