Roof of the Naiku's Grand Shrine — the only part you can see

Ise (伊勢) [1] is a city in Mie prefecture, Japan. Ise is primarily known for the eponymous Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror.

Understand

• Ise Shrine (伊勢神宮 Ise-jingū). According to the official chronology, the shrines were originally constructed in the year 4 BC, but most historians date them from several hundred years later, with 690 AD widely considered the date when the shrines were first built in their current form. They are mentioned in the annals of the Kojiki and Nihonshoki, dating from 712. The shrines are famously dismantled and rebuilt to exacting specifications every 20 years at exorbitant expense. The present buildings, dating from 1993, are the 61st iteration to date and are scheduled for rebuilding in 2013.

Between 2005 and 2013 many festivals will be held. Okihiki（お木引き） is the best known of these. Locals from each district of Ise pull large, decorated carts around the streets of Ise. The carts are laden with wood to be used in the shrine reconstruction. In the version of this event known as 'kawabiki'（川引き）the carts are pulled up Isuzu River beside Naiku. In 2007 Okihiki will be held on Weekends from May to July.

Many other annual events are held around Ise, most of which are related to the shrine:

• Early in April - Kagurasai Ceremony (for three days). There are spring and autumn versions of this event. Performances of dance, music, noh, shigin and displays of flower arrangement are held in the garden at Naiku. Attendance is free
• Middle of July - Miya River Fireworks Festival. Though not as spectacular as some fireworks festivals in Japan, this is in fact a competition for fireworks producers. Original and unique fireworks can be seen. Nearest station is Yamada Kamiguchi（山田上口） (JR).
• Late in September - Kagurasai Ceremony (for three days). The autumn version of the event (details above).

Get in

By train

From Nagoya, Ise is serviced by JR and Kintetsu trains. Kintetsu's Limited Express is the fastest option, taking only 1hr 20 mins. It costs 2690 yen for a comfortable reserved seat.

JR trains link Ise toWakayama via the coastal Kii Peninsula line. If coming in from Osaka, a slightly cheaper and faster option is to take the private Kintetsu line.

By bus

The cheapest option for travel between Ise and Tokyo is the overnight bus operated by Sanco, timetable(Japanese only). It's a long trip and the comfort level is possibly below an economy class air flight but at ¥7850 (return trip ¥14130) it's around half the price of the shinkansen and train option.

By boat

Ise has no ferry terminal but from Chubu Centrair International Airport one option is to take the ferry to Tsu then a bus to Tsu Station There's one ferry every hour, it takes 40 mins and costs ¥1890. There's also a ferry to Toba. With many hotel options in the seaside town of Toba this could be a good way to start a holiday. Ise and Toba are linked by Kintetsu Railway.

Get around

A regular bus service operates between Ise Station and Naiku. Another option for those who want to explore the area further is the CAN Bus day pass. This provides unlimited travel around the Ise, Futami and Toba areas. A 1 day pass is 1000 Yen for adults, 500 Yen for children. A 2 day pass is 1600 Yen and 800 Yen. More bus and railway ticket information here.

See

• Ise Shrine （伊勢神宮）The shrine consists of two sites, some 6 kilometers apart but connected by a sacred forest. Access to the inner sanctum of these sites is strictly limited, with the general public allowed to see little more than the thatched roofs of the central structures, hidden behind three tall wooden fences. Visitors can, however, enjoy the ancient forest and those with an eye for architecture will enjoy the many wooden buildings along the path.

  Gekū (外宮) or Outer Shrine. Dedicated to the goddess of food, clothing, and housing, Toyouke-o-mikami. The smaller of the two, this is a 5-minute walk from Ise station.

  Naikū (内宮) or Inner Shrine. Dedicated to the sun goddess, Amaterasu-o-mikami, and is the larger and more important of the two. The shuttle bus from Geku to here takes 15 minutes and costs ¥410.

• Kawasaki Kaiwai (河崎界隈) The old merchants quarters of town. Many old buildings remain. Good for a stroll. To get there from Ise Station walk towards Ujiyamada Station, past Hinodekan, turn left, before long you'll find a railway crossing, cross there and walk up the big road, past Mini-Mini. After about 400 metres turn right at Hoshide-kan, a large wooden ryokan. Kawasaki Kaiwai is the street next to Seta River.

Do

Shop and enjoy the atmosphere in Oharai Machi. Between Jingukaikan Mae（神宮会館前） Bus Stop and Naiku this stretch of shops and restaurants retains a real historical feel. The restaurants on the left offer a nice view over Isuzu River. Half way up the road on the right is Okage Yokochou, a relatively new addition, it offers more eateries and a variety of souvenir shops. The best time to visit is in the weekend. Often you can enjoy a free performance such as a Taiko(Japanese Drumming). Avoid this area in the weeks after New Year. The massive crowds of people visiting Naiku make it hard to enjoy. If you go in the height of summer take your swimwear and you can enjoy a dip in Isuzu river. Swimming above the stonework near the bridge is strictly prohibited but swimming in the deeper spot adjacent to the car park is fine. Not many people swim there, mostly local school kids, but the water is clean and clear, take your goggles for a good view of the massive carp.

Eat

The local specialty is lobster, known as Ise-ebi (伊勢海老, lit. "Ise shrimp") in Japanese. Fresh lobster sashimi in particular is sublime, but as you might expect such pleasures don't come cheap.

Other local specialities include Ise udon, a very simple dish of thick noodles in a strong flavoured sauce, garnished with spring onion. It can be ordered from the restaurants around Naiku for 300-400 yen.

Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy akafuku, a mochi rice cake wrapped in red bean jam. With complimentary green tee akafuku costs 280yen (for three) at stalls around naiku. You can also buy it boxed at the main stations, Ise Station and Ujiyamada Station.

Naiku Area

• Okunoya On the river side of Oharai Machi, a few minutes walk from the Naiku bridge. Quality Japanese-style food at a reasonable price.

Geku Area

• KAZI (Kaji), directly across the square from Ise station. Excellent okonomiyaki for around 500 yen.

• Kitaya (喜多や). Honmachi 10-13, a short walk away from the Geku entrance. Sublime charcoal-grilled eel (unagi) dishes starting at ¥1000. Open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM.

• Sen (千). A yakiniku (Korean barbeque) restaurant within walking distance of Ise City. Open for dinner and sometimes for lunch.

Drink

Sleep

• Hinodekan (日の出館) is a traditional style ryokan situated very near to Ise Station. prices start at ¥5000 per person for a group booking with no meals. Breakfast and dinner included for ¥10000. Please contact via email.

Get out