45 minutes to Mie! A thorough explanation of the comfortable route that will allow you to visit Ise in no time

Characteristics of the Ise region

The Ise region, with Ise Shrine at its center, has supported Japan's spiritual culture since ancient times. Its charm lies in its tranquil streets, where history and culture live on.

The prefecture has a unique food culture and is blessed with gourmet food made with fresh ingredients, such as Ise udon and spiny lobster.

Ise Shrine, also known as the spiritual home

Ise Shrine is said to be the spiritual home of Japan.

It consists of 125 shrines, centered around the Inner Shrine (Naiku), which enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestor of the Imperial family, and the Outer Shrine (Geku), which enshrines Toyouke Omikami, the god of food, clothing, and shelter.

In addition, a ceremony called "Shikinen Sengu" is held once every 20 years in which the shrine building is rebuilt and the god is moved to a new building, and the wood from the unused building is reused.

History and Culture

Okage Yokocho, the town in front of Ise Shrine, is a popular tourist spot that recreates the streets of the Edo period.

Many historical buildings remain, such as the Ise Kawasaki Merchants' Hall, and the area's unique culture thrives, including the festivals of Ise Shrine and traditional crafts.

A rich food culture

You can enjoy gourmet food unique to Ise, such as Ise udon and spiny lobster. You can also enjoy local cuisine made with local ingredients and fresh seafood. Popular souvenirs include Akafuku and Ise tea.

Travel to Ise easily and quickly with a boat and private taxi!

45 minutes to Mie! What's the secret to a comfortable boat trip?

The high-speed ferry used by Tsu Airport Line is equipped with the latest facilities to provide a comfortable voyage. With spacious seats, free Wi-Fi, and clean toilets, you can be sure to have a pleasant journey.

From the large windows of the boat, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of Ise Bay, and the boat doesn't rock much, which is a nice plus. It's also very quiet, so there's almost no risk of seasickness.

Convenience of chartered taxis

After arriving at Tsu Nagisamachi, a chartered taxi will take you smoothly to your destination. You can choose the type of taxi to suit the number of people and amount of luggage, and they are also equipped with child seats and luggage space.

Our experienced drivers will provide you with tourist information and local information, so you won't get bored during the trip. Traveling in a private space is also very relaxing, helping you to recover from the fatigue of your trip.

Another great feature is that you can choose the taxi dispatch location, so you can decide your route based on where you want to start your sightseeing.

The value of the plan

A plan that combines a speedboat and a private taxi is offered at a significant discount off the regular price.

There are also early booking discounts and limited-time campaigns, so we recommend checking the website frequently.

Use your time more efficiently

By using a high-speed ferry and a chartered taxi, you can significantly reduce travel time. A time schedule is very important when traveling. Make effective use of your time and enjoy visiting Ise Shrine and the surrounding tourist spots efficiently.

Popular Attractions in Ise

Okage Yokocho

Okage Yokocho

52 Ujinakanokiricho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture 516-8558

Okage Yokocho, located in the middle of the town in front of the Naiku Shrine of Ise Jingu, is a reconstructed and recreated streetscape from the Edo to Meiji periods, with around 50 stores lined up along the street. There are plenty of shops selling delicious food and local specialties from the Iseji route, making it the perfect place to eat, take a break, or look for souvenirs after visiting the shrine.

Located in the middle of Oharaimachi, the town in front of the Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu, this tourist spot recreates the streetscape of the Iseji route from the Edo period to the Meiji period, when it was bustling with pilgrimages to the shrine.

Okage Yokocho is full of Ise-style delicacies such as Ise udon, hand-kneaded sushi, and spiny lobster. There are many shops where you can purchase souvenirs such as the famous Akafuku, Ise cotton, and Ise toys.

There are also facilities where you can experience the history and culture of Ise, as well as shops selling traditional crafts, making it a spot that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders.

Ise Sea Paradise

Located near Futamiokitama Shrine in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, this aquarium has the theme of "interacting" with sea animals. Interacting with walruses and sea lions is particularly popular, making it a great spot for families with children.

There are also adorable animals such as Asian small-clawed otters and spotted seals, as well as aquarium-style attractions such as sea lion and dolphin shows.

Isekawasaki Merchants Hall

This scenic spot at Futamiokitama Shrine features two rocks, one large and one small, that appear to nestle close together. It has long been a symbol of marital harmony and matchmaking, and is especially famous as a spectacular spot to view the sunrise.

The Meoto Iwa rocks are said to serve as a torii gate to worship the Okitama Shinseki rocks and the Hinokami, who are associated with Sarutahiko-no-Okami, who is enshrined offshore, and the large shimenawa rope that connects the two rocks symbolizes the bond between husband and wife. Every year in May, September, and December, a ritual to replace the large shimenawa rope is held, and the shrine is crowded with many people.

Ise region gourmet

Ise udon

Known as a local dish of Ise City, it is characterized by thick, soft noodles and a rich sauce made with tamari soy sauce. Unlike ordinary udon, it has a unique chewy texture that is addictive.

Its origins date back to the Edo period, when it was created to entertain visitors to Ise Shrine. The soft boiled noodles and rich sauce were invented to be easy on the stomachs of visitors tired from a long journey and to make them easy to digest.

The sauce is made from tamari soy sauce with dashi stock made from bonito flakes and kelp, and although it looks thick, it is surprisingly sweet. The condiments are generally simple, consisting only of chopped green onions, but some restaurants may also add tempura flakes or raw eggs.

spiny lobster

It is prized as a luxury food in Japan and is characterized by its hard reddish-brown shell and long antennae. Its name is said to come from the fact that it was once caught in large quantities in Ise Bay.

Ise lobster can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including sashimi, grilled, hotpot, etc. In particular, fresh Ise lobster sashimi has a plump texture and a rich sweetness that is irresistible.

It is also famous as an offering to Ise Shrine.

Akafuku

This is a mochi confectionery made and sold by Akafuku, a long-established Japanese confectionery store that has been in business for over 300 years. It is made of soft mochi topped with smooth bean paste, and has captivated many people with its refined sweetness and melt-in-the-mouth texture.

The shape of Akafuku mochi is modeled after the murmuring of the Isuzu River that flows through the sacred grounds of Ise Shrine, with the three lines in the paste representing the clear stream and the white mochi representing the pebbles on the riverbed.

Additionally, the store name Akafuku is said to have been derived from the phrase "sekishin keifuku," which means "to rejoice in one's own and others' happiness with an honest heart like that of a baby."

Akafuku mochi is a popular souvenir, but you can enjoy freshly made Akafuku mochi at the store. We also recommend Akafuku ice cream in the summer and Akafuku zenzai in the winter.

Photo courtesy of Akafuku

Access to Ise (Centrair Port to Ise Shrine)

Arrives in as little as 105 minutes!

After arriving at Chubu Centrair International Airport, take a high-speed ferry to Nagisamachi.

From Nagisamachi, you will travel by taxi. You can choose from two types of vehicles depending on the number of passengers and the space required: a sedan type (up to 4 people) and a jumbo type (up to 9 people).

How to make a reservation

You can easily make a reservation on the official website of the Tsu Airport Line. You can also make a reservation by phone or fax. Below are the details of the one-way fare.

Other fare plans are also available for tickets and school and work commuter passes, so please see the official Tsu Airport Line website for details.

*Cash, credit card, and travel agency coupons are accepted. Fare payment is to be made on the day of boarding.

*Only online reservations can be paid by credit card at the time of booking (for those with discounts and one-day round trip tickets, online reservations can only be paid on the day)

Conclusion

If you use Tsu Airport Line's "High-speed ferry & chartered taxi discount plan," your trip to Ise Grand Shrine will be more comfortable and more fulfilling. Please take the Tsu Airport Line and visit the spiritual home of Japan.