Chubu
Ise-Shima National Park
PIXTA
Activity
Day Trip Bus Tour Visit to Ise Jingu & Futami Okitama Shrine
Highlights
・You Can Enjoy a Leisurely Stroll with Plenty of Time at The Lnner Shrine of Ise Jingu. ・Lunch Included Plans Available to Enjoy the Taste of Japan! ・Easy to Access! Departure and arrival at Nagoya ・No English Support Available on This Tour.
Detail
Enjoy a day trip bus tour to Ise Jingu, the highest-ranking shrine in Japan also Futami Okitama Shrine. Don't miss the symbol of marriage, the 'Wedded Rocks'. With our lunch-included plan, you can also enjoy Ise Udon and Matsusaka beef.
Summary
Location Ise
Required time 10 hours
Transportation None
Meal You can choose your lunch plan
Shirataki Waterfall Meditation Experience (Takigyo) With Choice of Sauna Plan
Highlights
・< Mie Prefecture > Good Access, Just a 15-minute Walk from the Nearest Station! ・Experience Authentic Waterfall Meditation at the Power Spot Shirataki. ・Recommended for Waterfall Meditation Beginners. ・Plan Available for Tent Sauna Experience After Waterfall Meditation. ・Tour Accommodating English Speakers.
Detail
Why not challenge yourself with a waterfall meditation ? There's also a luxurious plan that includes the tent sauna experience for outdoor enthusiasts. This is a luxurious experience recommended for those who want to detoxify both mind and body.
Summary
Location Ise-Shima
Required time In the morning or In the afternoon
Transportation none
Meal none
Kumano Nada Half-Day Kayak Tour Enjoy Majestic Nature in Kihoku
Highlights
Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of Kumano Nada on this half-day sea kayak tour along the Kihoku coastline. Paddle through calm waters framed by lush green mountains and striking rock formations, and explore hidden coves and sea caves accessible only by kayak. Perfect for beginners and nature lovers, this guided experience offers a peaceful escape into one of Mie Prefecture’s most scenic and lesser-known coastal regions.
Detail
This half-day kayaking adventure takes you along the tranquil shores of Kumano Nada in Kihoku, Mie Prefecture — a region known for its rich natural landscapes and crystal-clear waters. Led by experienced local guides, the tour begins with a safety briefing and basic paddling instruction, making it suitable for first-time kayakers. As you glide across the sea, you’ll have the chance to explore secluded spots and appreciate the quiet grandeur of the Kumano coastline. It’s an ideal outdoor activity for travelers seeking a relaxing yet immersive nature experience.
Summary
Location Ise / Kumano
Required time 2.5 hours
Transportation not available
Meal None
Kumano Nada Kayak 1-Day Tour Explore Uninhabited Islands with Lunch
Highlights
Set off on a full-day kayaking journey across the pristine waters of Kumano Nada, where you'll paddle to uninhabited islands and explore hidden coves only accessible by sea. Surrounded by dramatic coastal cliffs and rich natural scenery, this immersive adventure lets you discover the untouched beauty of Mie Prefecture’s coastline. Enjoy a delicious local lunch on a quiet beach and experience the serenity of Japan’s coastal wilderness with the guidance of an experienced instructor.
Detail
This one-day kayak tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the remote and unspoiled marine landscapes of Kihoku, Mie Prefecture. Starting with a safety briefing and basic instruction, you’ll set out on a guided paddling route through the clear waters of Kumano Nada, visiting uninhabited islands and secluded spots along the way. The tour includes a freshly prepared lunch, served in a peaceful beach setting, allowing you to recharge and take in the tranquil surroundings. Whether you're a nature lover or seeking a unique outdoor challenge, this tour promises an unforgettable experience of Japan's lesser-known coastal gems.
Summary
Location Ise / Kumano
Required time 5.5hours
Transportation not available
Meal Lunch include
Pearl Harvesting Experience: Create Accessories with Pearls You Extract Yourself
Highlights
Pluck a real pearl straight from a living Akoya oyster and transform it into a beautiful accessory—like a necklace or earrings. This authentic hands-on experience immerses you in Ise’s renowned pearl culture, allowing you to craft a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir with expert assistance.
Detail
During this engaging workshop located in Ise, Mie Prefecture, you’ll personally select a live oyster, open it to retrieve your pearl, and then collaborate with skilled staff to turn it into a custom accessory. Suitable even for families, the session lasts about 1 hour and does not include pickup. Children in elementary school or older are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Summary
Location Ise,Mie
Required time 1 hour
Transportation Pick up not Available
Meal None
Access
How to get there
Ise-Shima National Park blends natural beauty with storied history and spirituality. It is well-known as the home of Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s holiest sites. The park is located on the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture and can broadly be divided into a northern area with Ise Jingu and Toba, and a southern coastal area near Ago Bay. There are plentiful transportation options to the peninsula, including international and domestic flights to Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), outside Nagoya, the shinkansen, train, and boat. From the airport, connect to Ise-Shima National Park via high-speed boat and bus. From Cape Irago, ferries run by Isewan Ferry take 55 minutes to Toba. Get around by bus, train, ferry or private car to explore areas off the beaten path.
From Tokyo
Flights to Chubu Centrair International Airport, located on a man-made island outside Nagoya, depart from Haneda (60 min). Connect to Tsu-Nagisamachi on the Shima Peninsula via high-speed boat (45 min) and transfer to an express bus to Toba Bus Center with stops at Ise Jingu's Geku (Outer Shrine) and Naiku (Inner Shrine) (85–115 min). By train, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station (100 min) then transfer to a Kintetsu limited express train or a JR Mie rapid train. To reach the Geku of Ise Jingu, take either train to Iseshi Station (80-90 min) then walk to the shrine. Buses connect the Geku to the Naiku. To see the sacred Meotoiwa (wedded rocks), take the JR Sangu Line from Iseshi Station to Toba Station (10 min) and walk another 10 minutes. To reach Ago Bay in southern Shima Peninsula, take the Kintetsu limited express from Toba Station to Kashikojima Station (30 min) or the Kintetsu Shima Line from Iseshi Station to Kashikojima Station (45 min).
From Osaka
Kintetsu limited express trains conveniently link Osaka with Iseshi Station in under two hours; most trains continue to Toba and Kashikojima if you’d prefer to visit these locations first. For JR service, take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Osaka to Nagoya Station, then follow the directions above in the Tokyo section.
Getting Around
The Shima Peninsula has an excellent transportation network offering convenient access by bus, train or boat to most of the major sights. Train service is provided by JR and Kintetsu Railway around Iseshi and Toba stations, while Kashikojima Station in the south of the peninsula is accessible by the Kintetsu Railway. Mie Kotsu offers excellent bus service throughout the peninsula, including several “Michikusa” passes that allow unlimited rides on specific routes for one or two days. The CAN Bus is particularly useful, stopping at Iseshi Station, Ise Jingu Shrine and Meotoiwa. Toba Shietekisen operates ferries to several islands off the Shima Peninsula from Toba Marine Terminal, traveling to Sakatejima (10 min), Toushijima (15–25 min), Sugashima (15 min) and Kamishima (30–40 min). Ago Bay Liner runs boats from Kashikojima Port to the islands of Mazaki (10 min), Goza (25 min), Wagu (25 min) and Hamajima (35 min). Renting a car is also a smart option and offers greater access to hidden gems off the tourist trail. Take the Pearl Road for a scenic journey between the cities of Toba and Shima or the Iseshima Skyline for a panoramic view of Ise Bay.
