Discover Scenic Spots with a Drive Along the Ise-Shima Skyline

If you are looking to discover some new scenic spots, take a drive on the Ise-Shima Skyline. This 16 km driveway in the sky connects Ise with Toba, providing some stunning scenery through Mt. Asama in the Ise-Shima National Park. It is a great trip with panoramic views of the coastline and Ise Bay along with the nearby mountains. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji and the Japan Alps.

Written by John Asano

-Table of Contents-

・The Ise-Shima Skyline

・Starting at Ise Jingu

・Spectacular Scenery

・The Asamayama Observatory

・Asamadake Kongoshoji Temple

・Wrap Up

The Ise-Shima Skyline

The Ise-Shima Skyline is a 16.3 km sightseeing toll road connecting Ise and Toba. The road is often called “The Driveway of Heaven” as it takes you up to the highest echelons of Mt. Asama. This beautiful drive on a tight, twisting mountain road provides the perfect opportunity to take in some breathtaking views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of places to stop along the way to soak up the stunning scenery. Unfortunately, during our visit on a rainy autumn day, we couldn’t see a whole lot of the coastline, but the misty mountains more than made up for it. The toll for using the road is ¥1,270.

Fantastic views on a clear day

Misty view on a rainy autumn day

Starting at Ise Jingu

Before we started our drive on the Ise-Shima Skyline, we paid a visit to Ise Jingu to pray for a safe and pleasant journey.

Ise Jingu is a complex of 125 Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, Naiku (the inner shrine) and Geku (the outer shrine). We made a quick stop at Naiku, the inner shrine before heading off for our drive. Walking around the vast precincts of the inner shrine, which has a history of about 2,000 years, was an other-worldly experience. We could absorb and breathe the history of Oise-Mairi, the spiritual pilgrimage to Ise Jingu, which became a social phenomenon during the Edo Period (1603-1868). After making our prayers, it was time to make our way to the Ise-Shima Skyline to complete the second part of our Ise pilgrimage.

The main torii shrine gate of Naiku at Ise Jingu

Spectacular Scenery

After leaving Ise Jingu, we headed for the entrance to the Ise-Shima Skyline, which is less than 5 minutes away from the main car park of Naiku. There are several parking areas with observatories along the side of the road, but the main one is located at the summit of Mt. Asama.

Map of what you can see on the Ise-Shima Skyline

The Asamayama Observatory

Our first stop on the drive is the Asamayama Observatory, which is the highest peak in the Ise-Shima National Park at 555 meters. The observation area has some benches, where you can sit and relax to take in the view of the beautiful coastline and small islands floating in the sea.

Panoramic views of Ise Bay

The observatory is also famous for one of Japan’s highest mailbox. The red retro post box is called tenku no posuto, which means “The Mailbox in the Sky.” It is a real-working post box, where you can mail yourself a postcard home.

The famous mailbox in the sky

There is also a footbath where you can soak your tired feet after driving and slowly take in the epic vistas while relaxing.

Fantastic view from the footbath

Asamadake Kongoshoji Temple

After soaking up all the amazing views, it was time for some different scenery. We headed to Asamadake Kongoshoji Temple, which is located near the Asamayama Observatory. It is said that from ancient times, people who visited Ise Jingu would first purify themselves at Futamiura, an inlet of Ise Bay, then visit Geku, followed by Naiku, and finally pay a visit to Asamadake Kongoshoji Temple on Mt. Asama to complete the pilgrimage.

Climbing the moss covered stone stairs to the main hall

The temple was built in the late 6th century as a shield to protect the northeast of Ise Jingu, which is an unlucky direction. In traditional Japanese geomancy, this direction was known as the kimon or “Demon Gate” as people believed that evil energies would enter from this spiritually vulnerable location. This picturesque spot has a beautiful arched taiko-bashi drum bridge over a lotus pond and interesting sutras to entice visitors.

The taiko-bashi half-moon shaped bridge over the pond

The path to the inner sanctuary called Okunoin is surrounded by a unique graveyard which has a large number of long wooden stupas which memorialize the deceased. The pathway is endlessly lined on both sides with these long wooden posts, making it a sight unlike any other in Japan.

Rows and rows of tall wooden stupas

Completing our pilgrimage at Asamadake Kongoshoji Temple

After all the crowds at Ise Jingu, it was nice to almost have the place to ourselves with a contemplative and solitary feeling. The rain and mist during our visit only made the experience more mystical and unforgettable.

The mystical mist around the temple

Temizuya purification pavilion at the temple

After exiting the temple on the descent from the summit we had a little surprise. We spotted two deer on the road, who quickly scuttled away along with a gang of monkeys on the side of the road. Unfortunately, I was driving, so didn’t have any time to take a picture. There is plenty of wildlife on offer as well as the spectacular scenery on this amazing drive.

Driving along the Ise-Shima Skyline