Ise Jingu Shrine: Access from Tokyo and Osaka, Cost, and Travel Tips

Ise Jingu Shrine: Japan's Oldest Shrine

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Ise Jingu (Ise Shrine) is Japan's oldest shrine, located in Mie Prefecture. It features charming inner and outer shrines surrounded by rich nature.

The serene Isuzu River flows along the approach, allowing you to walk in a tranquil atmosphere and breathe in the mystical air.

This article will explain how to access Ise Jingu from Tokyo and Osaka. At the end of the article, we will also introduce some great tips, so please read to the end!

Ise Jingu Shrine Access Guide

1. Ise Jingu Shrine: Access Methods in Comparison
2. Access by Train: The Most Popular
3. Access by Airplane: The Fastest
4. Access by Highway Bus: The Cheapest
5. Access by Rental Car: Enjoy Stops Along the Way
6. How to Get to the Inner and Outer Shrines
7. Tips and Deals for Traveling to Ise Jingu

Comparison of Access Methods for Ise Jingu Shrine

First, let's compare the costs and travel times for each access method.

Transportation Method	Cost (with tax)	Travel Time
Limited Express Train / Shinkansen	From Tokyo 14,380 yen (Reserved Seat, Regular Season) From Osaka 4,800 yen (Reserved Seat, Regular Season)	From Tokyo 4 to 4.5 hours From Osaka 3 to 3.5 hours
Airplane	From Tokyo From 26,700 yen	From Tokyo From 1 hour
Highway Bus	From Tokyo From 5,500 yen From Osaka From 2,500 yen	From Tokyo 10 to 10.5 hours From Osaka 5 to 5.5 hours
Rental Car	From Tokyo From 30,000 yen From Osaka From 14,500 yen	From Tokyo 5 to 6 hours From Osaka 2 to 3 hours

When traveling from Tokyo to Ise Jingu Shrine, the fastest option is the airplane, while the cheapest is the highway bus.

On the other hand, when traveling from Osaka to Ise Jingu, the fastest option is the rental car. Moreover, the highway bus is the cheapest route.

In the following sections, we will provide detailed explanations for each transportation method, so please be sure to read to the end if you're interested!

1. Limited Express Trains and Shinkansen

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When traveling to Ise Jingu from Tokyo or Osaka and balancing the costs and travel time, the limited express trains and Shinkansen are recommended.

The Fastest Way to Get There

From Tokyo
Tokyo Station → Nagoya Station → Kintetsu Nagoya Station → Isuzugawa Station → Ise Jingu Inner Shrine
Cost: 14,380 yen (reserved seat, regular season)
Travel Time: Approximately 4 to 4.5 hours

From Osaka
Umeda Station → Namba Station → Osaka Namba Station → Ujiyamada Station → Isuzugawa Station → Ise Jingu Inner Shrine
Cost: 4,800 yen (reserved seat, regular season)
Travel Time: Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours

The Cheapest Way to Get There

From Tokyo
Tokyo Station → Nagoya Station → Iseshi Station → Ise Jingu Inner Shrine
Cost: 12,180 yen
Travel Time: 4 to 4.5 hours

From Osaka
Osaka Station → Tsuruhashi Station → Ise Nakagawa Station → Isuzugawa Station → Ise Jingu
Cost: 2,370 yen
Travel Time: 3.5 to 4 hours

With limited express trains and Shinkansen, you don't have to worry about getting stuck in traffic, and it's easier to plan your schedule. Additionally, many trains are available, making it flexible in terms of timing.

However, with limited express trains and Shinkansen, there are often multiple transfers on any route, so if you're concerned about transfers, it might be better to consider other transportation options.

2. Access by Airplane

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Traveling by airplane is recommended for those who want to get there quickly, even at a higher cost.

When traveling by airplane, there are no airports in Mie Prefecture, where Ise Jingu is located. Therefore, we recommend using Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi Prefecture for convenience.

From Tokyo
Haneda Airport → Chubu Centrair International Airport Station → Meitetsu Nagoya Station → Ujiyamada Station → Ise Jingu
Cost: From 26,700 yen
Travel Time: From 1 hour

For those living in Osaka, flying to Ise Jingu will require returning to Chubu Centrair International Airport, which is quite a detour. Therefore, using limited express trains or the Shinkansen is recommended if traveling from Osaka to Ise Jingu.

3. Access by Highway Bus

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The highway bus is recommended if you want to get to Ise Jingu as cheaply as possible from Tokyo or Osaka.

From Tokyo (Shinjuku Station)
Busta Shinjuku → Iseshi Station Front → Iseshi Station → Ujiyamada Station → Ise Jingu
Cost: From 5,500 yen
Travel Time: 10 to 10.5 hours

From Osaka (WILLER Osaka Umeda)
WILLER Osaka Umeda → Nagoya Station → Kintetsu Nagoya Station → Isuzugawa Station → Ise Jingu Inner Shrine
Cost: From 2,500 yen
Travel Time: 5 to 5.5 hours

By taking the highway bus, you can reach Ise Jingu for less than half the cost of limited express trains, Shinkansen, or airplanes.

However, depending on the time of year, there is a high possibility of getting caught in traffic, which may disrupt your schedule.

Additionally, you will be sitting for long periods aboard a bus. Therefore, it may not be suitable for those who prefer a comfortable journey.

4. Access by Rental Car

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Renting a car is recommended for those who want to visit Ise Jingu and nearby attractions like Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks) and Toba Aquarium.

From Tokyo
Cost: From 30,000 yen *for a one-day rental
Breakdown: Rental car fee from 5,000 yen, highway tolls (round trip, no ETC discount) 20,000 yen, gas costs from 5,000 yen
Travel Time: 5 to 6 hours

From Osaka
Cost: From 14,500 yen *for a one-day rental
Breakdown: Rental car fee is from 5,000 yen, highway tolls (round trip, no ETC discount) are 6,000 yen, gas costs are from 3,500 yen
Travel Time: 2 to 3 hours

Ise Jingu Shrine is far from the nearest station, so walking from the station can take quite a long time. Therefore, it is advisable for those who prefer not to walk much to travel by rental car.

A downside of renting a car is that traveling from Tokyo to Ise Jingu involves 5 to 6 hours of long-distance driving. If you don’t want to drive such a long distance, it’s recommended to take a limited express train, Shinkansen, or highway bus to Nagoya Station and then rent a car from there.

How to Get to the Inner and Outer Shrines

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Ise Jingu is divided into the Inner Shrine and the Outer Shrine, which are located quite far apart.

Walking between them takes about 45 minutes to an hour, so it's better to take a bus. The bus ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and the fare is 430 yen one way. Since IC cards cannot be used, it’s a good idea to have cash on hand.

You can also travel by taxi, but the travel time is approximately the same as by bus. Additionally, the fare costs around 2,000 yen, making the bus a better economical option.

Discount Travel Tickets for the Ise Jingu Area

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Finally, here are some great tips for traveling to Ise Jingu from Tokyo or Osaka.

Ise Jingu Visiting Ticket (Kintetsu) (Japanese)
Benefit 1. Round-trip ticket for Kintetsu trains
Benefit 2. Unlimited rides on specified routes in the Ise-Shima area

Ise Toba Michikusa Ticket (Mie Kotsu) (Japanese)
Benefit 1. Affordable travel across a wide area, including Ise City, Toba City, Shima City, and Minamiise Town
Benefit 2. Half-price for the highway bus fare from Ise Jingu to VISON

Ise-Toba Area Free Ticket (JR Central) (Japanese)
Benefit 1. Round-trip ticket for non-reserved seats on the JR Central Rapid Mie service
Benefit 2. Freedom to get on and off within the free section between Matsusaka and Toba

You can enjoy Ise Jingu Shrine and the entire Mie Prefecture by purchasing these tickets. If you are using public transportation, take advantage of these offers!

Enjoy Exploring Ise Jingu Shrine

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This time, we explained access methods and helpful information for those traveling to Ise Jingu from Tokyo or Osaka.

The limited express trains and Shinkansen are the best travel options when considering the balance of cost and travel time from Tokyo or Osaka to Ise Jingu.

However, airplanes, highway buses, and rental cars also have their benefits, so choose the optimal access method based on your travel goals and budget!