Ise-Shima, known as the spiritual heartland of Japan, is a place where ancient traditions, stunning scenery, and culinary delights meet to create a destination that captivates the soul. It perfectly blends the old and the new with its rich cultural history and natural beauty. Ise-Shima is home to Ise Jingu, Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine, as well as the traditional shopping streets of Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho. The area also boasts mouthwatering fresh seafood and authentic traditional Japanese sweets, and is the birthplace of the world-famous Mikimoto pearls.
Breathtaking Nature
The Shima Peninsula is a treasure trove of beautiful beaches and pristine coastline with spectacular views. Ise-Shima National Park is one of Japan’s premier maritime parks with a distinctive ria coastline dotted with small coves and headlands. The calm waves of the water make it ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and water sports, as well as providing a fishing ground abundant with seafood. The rugged coastline is surrounded by mountains which have been slowly sinking into the sea over time due to rising sea levels, creating an intricate but beautiful landscape speckled with islands floating in the sea.
Rich History
Ise-Shima has a history influenced by nature and its maritime heritage that dates back thousands of years. Japan’s oldest chronicle, the Nihon Shoki, tells a legend in which the sun goddess, Amaterasu-Omikami, chose to be enshrined in the Ise-Shima region around 2,000 years ago because of its rich natural environment. Ise Jingu symbolizes the ancient relationship between people and nature, which has been nurtured in Ise-Shima ever since this time. Ama divers have been using traditional fishing techniques for more than 2,000 years to fish sustainably in harmony with nature. The female divers plunge into the sea without any breathing apparatuses, holding their breath for up to a minute at a time.
SDG Initiatives
Once every 20 years in a ritual known as Shikinen Sengu, the shrine structures at Ise Jingu are rebuilt and the shrine deities are ceremoniously transferred to the new buildings. This Shinto ritual has been conducted for over 1,300 years as a means of passing down the important knowledge and skills of its shrine carpenters. For millennia, the locals have been using traditional fishing techniques to help conserve marine resources. Ama divers observe strict rules regarding the amounts and sizes of marine life they can harvest to ensure the sustainability and preservation of the natural environment. Ise-Shima is a place where people and nature coexist harmoniously. These traditions exemplify sustainable practices that preserve culture, safeguard the environment, and pass these values to future generations.
Pilgrimage to Ise Jingu
The pilgrimage to Ise Jingu, called Oise-Mairi, became extremely popular during the Edo period (1603-1868) when it is estimated that around one-sixth of the Japanese population was able to make the religious journey to the ancient shrine. This once-in-a-lifetime event took several weeks or months on foot, with the travelers enjoying sightseeing in the surrounding area during the trip. The influx of worshippers led to the rise of Oharaimachi, a town that developed in front of the Uji Bridge just outside the entrance to Ise Jingu. The traditional shopping street flourished out of the need to provide food, accommodation, and entertainment for the visiting pilgrims.
Scenic Locations
Ise-Shima, with its vast size and varied landscape, from the forested mountains of the inland area to the sheltered bays and jagged rock ledges along the Pacific Coast offers a variety of picturesque spots to enjoy. The scenic Ago Bay, dotted with numerous islands and rugged coastline, is located at the southern tip of the Shima Peninsula. Mt. Otonashi boasts over 30 species of evergreen trees with magnificent views of Ise Bay. During spring, blooming cherry blossom trees line the promenades. The summit of Mt. Asama at 555 meters is the highest point in Ise-Shima National Park. The open landscape provides panoramic views of Ise Bay, the islands of Toba Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.
Not to be Missed
Ise Jingu
Ise Jingu is often called the Soul of Japan and is the country’s most sacred Shinto shrine. This spiritual sanctuary surrounded by ancient forests, consists of 125 shrines, with Naiku, the inner shrine, at its center. Dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami, the sun goddess and ancestor of the Japanese imperial family, it has been a place of pilgrimage for over 2,000 years. More than 1,500 rituals are conducted there annually to pray for the prosperity of the Imperial family, the peace of the world, and a bountiful harvest.
Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho
Oharaimachi is the 800-meter-long stone-paved traditional shopping street in front of the torii shrine gate of Naiku. Located along the Isuzu River, it is lined with souvenir shops, confectionery stores and restaurants set in old-style wooden Japanese buildings reminiscent of the past. Located in the middle of Oharaimachi is Okage Yokocho, a plaza featuring reconstructed buildings formely found along the road to Ise Jingu that date back to the Edo and Meiji periods.
Ama Huts
Since ancient times Ama divers have been fishing for seafood in the sea of the Shima Peninsula. Ama huts found along the coastline, offer a glimpse into the traditional lives of these women of the sea, who free dive to catch abalone, oysters, and spiny lobster. The huts are shelters where the ama rest after fishing, share stories by an open fire, and prepare for their next dive. Visitors can enjoy freshly grilled seafood from the waters of Ise-Shima while learning about the history and culture of these remarkable ama divers.
Mikimoto Pearl Island
Mikimoto Pearl Island is the birthplace of the world-famous Mikimoto Pearls and a tribute to Kokichi Mikimoto, the pioneer who first successfully cultured pearls in 1893. The natural environment of Ise-Shima with its calm inlets surrounded by mountains led it to become the first place in the world to successfully cultivate cultured pearls. The Pearl Museum shows the science behind pearl cultivation and exhibits craft items and jewelry incorporating pearls.
Seafood
Ise Shima, with its rich nature and mild climate, is home to mouthwatering seafood. The sustainable fishing practices of Ise-Shima are rooted in local tradition, culture, and a deep religious respect for nature. Local specialties include Japanese spiny lobster, prized for its sweet, tender flesh; abalone grilled in ama huts; and Matoya oysters, known for their plump texture and rich flavor. Many restaurants also serve sashimi platters and sushi.
Yokoyama Observatory
Yokoyama Observatory is located at Mt. Yokoyama in Ise-Shima National Park. Visitors can take in panoramic views of the small islands of Ago Bay, famous for its pearl cultivation. Yokoyama Viewpoint is the highest observation deck with expansive 360-degree views of the deep blue sea and lush greenery of Ise-Shima National Park. The main viewpoint is Yokoyama Tenku Café Terrace, a wooden deck stretching out over the forest.
Japanese Sweets
Ise-Shima is famous for its traditional Japanese sweets, many of which are linked to Ise Jingu and the local culture. The signature sweet is Akafuku, a soft mochi topped with smooth, sweet red bean paste. The flowing shape of the sweet represents the Isuzu River near Ise Jingu. Other popular sweets include Henba Mochi, grilled mochi filled with sweet red bean paste, and Iwato Mochi, a soft mochi covered in roasted soybean flour.
