Mie Prefecture Tours

Get the most out of a visit to Ise Grand Shrine by having a guide to accompany you. Opting for a private tour means that you can make special requests to suit your group’s needs, and it guarantees the undivided attention of your guide. Along the way, hear stories about the meaning behind the shrine’s features, learn about Shintoism, and visit interesting local sites—such as Meoto Iwa rock formations.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Ise area! The city houses the Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine that is about 2000 years old. The shrine is the center of major religious and spiritual activities. The Ise trip is incomplete without paying respect to the supreme deity Amaterasu Omikami (the sun goddess) . You will also come across the traditional Japanese foods and history while visiting Okage Yokocho street. Let us know what special requests you have for the day and we will customize your itinerary in advance! Please be aware the this tour is on foot/with public transport. Ise Jingu Shrine also requires walking long distances in the shrine.

If you seek a beautiful spot other than famous sightseeing spots such as Tokyo, Nara, and Kyoto in Japan, this tour is highly recommended. You will visit Ise Shrine. Ise Shrine is very special for Japanese beacuse it enshrines the spirit of "Amaterasu" , the Sun Gottess and the highest rank of dieteis in Japanese myth. You can also enjoy a boat cruise in Toba bay. Mikimoto pearls are very famous worldwide. You will see how to make a cultured pearls and enjoy shopping in Mikimoto Pearl Island. area is very famous for its seafood. If you are a seafood person, I highly recommend you should try it. Your guide will tell you about the history of Japan, Japanese 2 major religions; Shinto and Buddhism and more.

Come on an uninhabited island adventure by sea kayak! Large birds soar the skies while finless porpoises swim the coastal waters. Beneath the waves, fish swim and sea grass sways with the current, as Ama forage the sea floor for shellfish. On this tour, you will visit 3 small uninhabited islands in Ise-Shima National Park. Large wild birds, Black Kites, inhabit these islands. From February to June, you can spot small finless porpoises called “Sunameri”, diving in and out of the water. In the sea, discover the mysterious underwater seaweed forests swaying with the underwater currents. In these conditions, the traditional fishing methods of the free-diving fishing women : Ama-san, can be seen. The Ama’s fishing history dates back over 3000 years in the Toba-Shima area. If you are lucky, you can meet them in person. This tour will let you experience the close connection between nature and Japanese culture. The departure point is very close to Toba station and easily accessible. Our guide will assist you while kayaking, so you can enjoy it even if its your first time! Please mention at reservation if you need to rental (free) clothes and marine shoes!

Take a 20 minute boat ride and explore Toba’s fisherman village! We will bring you to Toshi Island, which is regarded as the best place to explore Japanese fisherman daily life in Ise-Shima, and have lunch in local restaurant!

This unique fortune-telling session is only one of its kind in Japan and originates in the historical tradition of determining the imperial princess who would become Saio, a priestess destined to serve the Sun goddess at the Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie. Located at the former site of the Saiku Palace, where Saio used to live in beauty and purity, this personalized session uses elements from the ancient "bokujo" divination combined with oriental astrology to read either your destiny or personality. "Bokujo" was an ancient divination ceremony in which a tortoise shell was burned and the cracks were read to determine the gods' divine will, similarly to oracle bones. It was used to choose the most suitable candidate to become the priestess of Ise Jingu Shrine. You will crack a shell-shaped hard biscuit to determine what reading method suits you the best, and your fate will be read by a professional using "sanmeigaku" (oriental astrology). All readings will be based on your birth date.

HIGHLIGHTS: With the concept of "Go to the place you like. With the people you like. At the time you like.", this is a vehicle rental system with recommended routes devised by a local travel agency. [International driver's license required] Choose the vehicle you like and visit places you can only go with a small and powerful electric tuk-tuk or bike. This photogenic trip will allow you to enjoy not only the Jingu shrine, but to feel the murmuring of the river, and the wind and abundant greenery of nature. Touch your zodiac for good luck! You can also greet the god of the road and the god of entertainment during your visit to Ise! *There are two types of electric vehicles you can be rented: the "TUKTUK" and the "BIKE". *For those who are riding electric vehicles for the first time, please be reassured that you will have the opportunity to practice before we set off.

This rural town cycling tour is an ideal getaway from the bustling shopping streets near Ise Jingu Shrine. Just a couple of stations away you can pedal your way through ancient historical sites, scenic beaches and traditional sake breweries. Local people from the small town Meiwa call leisure cycling "Saikuling", a pun based on the remains of the historical Saiku palace where Ise Jingu Shrine's Saio princess used to reside during the Hean period (794-1185). Many of the spots you will see on this tour are designated national historic site and Japan Heritage. However, even if you are not into archaeological sites and ancient legends, this cycling tour will reveal a charming countryside town with its scenic landscape and warm-hearted people. Just a 15-minute train ride away from Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie, there is a whole hidden world to explore. Along the way your guide will tell you interesting stories about the daily life of local people and will introduce locally grown farm products.

In this historical walking tour in Mie a friendly guide will introduce you to the remains of Saiku, the most glorious palace of Japan's Heian period (794-1185), and the Saio, an imperial princess who served the Ise Grand Shrine. You will visit several highlights of the former Saiku palace and learn in more detail about the fascinating life of the Saio princess. A local guide will introduce you to a less-known part of Japan's history and you will follow together the footsteps of the Saio princess in an attempt to unfold some of her hidden secrets. While the grandiose Saiku palace no longer exists, several of its many buildings have been reconstructed and opened to the public. Taking this tour before you pay a visit to the Ise Grand Shrine is highly recommended in order to appreciate the value of the area and understand the significant links between the Imperial lineage and the Ise Grand Shrine.

“Oise san” is a name the Ise Grand Shrine is called with familiarity. During the Edo period, more than 4,000,000 people came to visit the shrine from all over Japan. People called “Onshi” or "Private Tour Guides" in modern words were the ones that led the visits to the Shrine. We invite you to experience the finest “Omotenashi” the Japanese must have experienced whilst riding on a rickshaw (Jinrikisha) The rickshaw will give you a higher point of view allowing you to see new and fresh scenery you have never seen before. You are promised a “relaxing” explore with the comfortable seating and the speed this ride provides. A private and pleasing Ise tour led by a Shafu (rickshaw puller) who is also a master of Japanese culture. The rickshaw will pick you up at your hotel’s front lobby and take you around to various tourist attractions, shrines, and the city with the best ride comfort.

Through the experience of Forestry and "Kijishi" Wooden Craft, your will know real life of Misugi, as known as forestry village. Misugi is very beautiful, quiet and peaceful Inaka place. Misugi has unique history, culuture and lifestyle. Inaka means the country-side in Japanese. However, Misugi is now facing at extreme depopulation problem. The population decreased by half in this 2 decades. We want to empower our village by tourism. Because tourism can connect many people and industries. Then, we made an organization "Inaka Tourism". We provide 4 kinds of experiences (All 1-day tour). 1. "Purify your mind and body" tour - Zen Meditation, Forest Therapy and Lunch 2. "Pilgrimage walks" tour - Straw Marquetry, Historical Walks and Lunch 3. "Touch the Forester's Life" tour - Forestry, Kijishi Wood craft and Lunch 4. "We Love Nature" tour - Forest Therapy, Cycling and Lunch

In this unique Heian era (794-1185) culture tour near Ise Jingu Shrine you will step into the role of the "forgotten" princess Saio and will experience how she spent her days in the historical Saiku Palace. This exclusive tour is highly recommended for Japanese history lovers and visitors of Ise Jingu Shrine. With a professional private guide you will be able to discover a less known part of Ise Jingu Shrine's history and experience the life of a 10th century Japanese aristocrat, long before the samurai caste appeared. The highlight of the tour - putting on an expensive multi-layered junihitoe kimono and enjoying Heian era entertainment - takes place in a faithfully reproduced cultural treasure building which used to be part of the Saiku Palace. This is a unique and rare to find experience which focuses on the culture, traditions and lifestyle of the imperial court aristocrats from one of the most prolific eras in Japanese history. Total of 2 female and 1 male costumes available.

Through the experience of Forest Therapy and Cycling, we enjoy great nature, history and culture of Misugi. Misugi is very beautiful, quiet and peaceful Inaka place. Misugi has unique history, culuture and lifestyle. Inaka means the country-side in Japanese. However, Misugi is now facing at extreme depopulation problem. The population decreased by half in this 2 decades. We want to empower our village by tourism. Because tourism can connect many people and industries. Then, we made an organization "Inaka Tourism". We provide 4 kinds of experiences (All 1-day tour). 1. "Purify your mind and body" tour - Zen Meditation, Forest Therapy and Lunch 2. "Pilgrimage walks" tour - Straw Marquetry, Historical Walks and Lunch 3. "Touch the Forester's Life" tour - Forestry, Kijishi Wood craft and Lunch 4. "We Love Nature" tour - Forest Therapy, Cycling and Lunch

HIGHLIGHTS: With the concept of "Go to the place you like. With the people you like. At the time you like.", this is a vehicle rental system with recommended routes devised by a local travel agency. [No International driver's license required] Choose the vehicle you like and visit places you can only go with a small and powerful electric scooter. This photogenic trip will allow you to enjoy not only Jingu, but to feel the murmuring of the river, and the wind and abundant greenery of nature. Touch your zodiac for good luck! You can also greet the god of the road and the god of entertainment during your visit to Ise! *The electric scooters for which you can ride without a license are available only to those aged 16 years or older. *For those who are riding electric vehicles for the first time, please be reassured that you will have the opportunity to practice before we set off.

The Kami (God) of Shirataki has been trusted by local people as a god of natural faith for over 1300 years. It is a sacred place where trainees stand below waterfalls to purify their mind and spirit. The whole forest connects with the Kami and is still loved by the locals as a “Forest for prayers” for the last 1000 years. If today’s complex society is leaving you tired and in need of refreshment, we suggest a reconnection with nature through the waterfall here and a mountain walk. We pray for tranquility in your hearts and the renewal of your spirit.

Bamboo is one of the cultures of Japan . You will be able to make a bamboo lantern per man/woman . The light that can be seen from the bamboo lanterns is emotional. I will be sure that This experience might remain as a memory of Japan for you .

[International driver's license required] “Ise Jingu shrine” is the “spiritual hometown of the Japanese people” and is said to be the place to visit Ise at least once in a lifetime. Despite being repeatedly relocated over the past 1,300 years, the shrine and its ancient and new forms have been passed down through the generations, and its inside aspires to resemble a museum of Japanese culture. Okage-Yokocho, just outside the boundaries of the Ise Jingu Inner Shrine, is lined with more than 50 stores selling carefully selected local delicacies and souvenirs of Ise, and you can freely stroll around this area. HIGHLIGHTS: Choose the vehicle you like and visit places you can only go with a small and powerful electric tuk-tuk or bike. Enjoy an Ise tour from the past, as you take the “Sangu-kifuda” and receive hospitality at the stopover. Local guides with extensive knowledge of Ise combine stops to make a tailor-made experience on the spot that meets the needs of visitors.

Why wouldn’t you want a Japanese-styled pack lunch and hiking experience in the hometown of the Ninjas? An ecotour guide will lead you on a private tour across the peaceful Japanese scenery around the Akame 48 Falls. You can experience enjoyment from hiking along a beautiful river valley towards the Akame 48 Falls, and then there relish the taste of your delicious bento. -Making bento The tour guide will cut all the ingredients; they will teach you how to cook and pack the food into your bento. -Hiking After making your bento box you take it to the Akame 48 Falls - a famous sightseeing spot that attracts many visitors throughout the year. This is where you will settle down to enjoy your lunch and soak up the relaxing sounds of these waterfalls. Akame town is an amazing place to experience Japan's amazing old culture. This tour will give you a great opportunity to comprehend this intriguing part of Japanese life that has been passed down for generations.

On this journey, along with the original landscape of such Japanese "prayer," you can visit and experience traditional crafts such as Owase wappa, sword smithing, and Kumano Otonashigami (paper-making) workshop, and immerse yourself in the magnificent nature of the Nanki Geopark. Enjoy the relationship between the three types of land created by the subduction of plates, the unique landscapes they created, the wide variety of flora and fauna brought about by the warm and humid climate, and the Kumano worship born from them.

In this program, you will experience the forefront of modern agricultural technology, particularly through the use of drones and IT, and delve deep into research on sustainable agriculture conducted in collaboration with Mie University and other research institutions. Participants will have the chance to see real-life applications of data-driven agriculture and understand how precision farming contributes to increasing agricultural productivity and environmental protection. You will explore cutting-edge agricultural tech, experience organic rice farming, and make onigiri, gaining insights into sustainable practices and local culture. For example, the day starts at 10:00 with an orientation, followed by introductions to modern agricultural technology at 10:30 and sustainable research at 11:30. After a hands-on ONIGIRI lunch at 12:00, practical tech application at 14:00 leads to a 15:30 discussion on agriculture. The program wraps up at 17:00 and a farewell photo at 18:00.

This is sustainable travel activity that contributes to the local community. You can enter parts of the shrine close to where the deities reside and which are usually not accessible to the public. You can also experience creating neat lines in the gravel and make your own shrine stamp with your favorite design. Part of the experience fee will be used for the preservation of Take Shrine.

At Tsuji "Tarafuku" Farm, you delve into an authentic experience that highlights the essence of agriculture, fostering deep connections with nature and the local community. The day begins at 10:00 AM with an orientation, followed by innovative agricultural practices using drones and IT at 10:30. Participants engage in the rice cultivation cycle, from planting to harvesting, to understand rice production deeply. The program, enriched by direct interactions with locals, offers insights into the rural lifestyle and culture, enhancing the appreciation of Japan's rural charm. A unique ONIGIRI-making session allows you to use farm-harvested rice, selecting seasonal ingredients to personalize their creations, part of the "Never ending rice" lunch at 12:00. The day, scheduled with thoughtful activities including seasonal work and community engagement, concludes with a sharing session at 17:30 and dismissal at 18:00, encapsulating the farm's ethos of joy and abundance in agriculture.

You can experience a variety of authentic Japanese activities, and as an extra option, you can also try the dressing in multi-layered "Juunihitoe" kimono, the traditional attire of the Japanese imperial family. Enjoy the Instagram-worthy ambiance of the Heian period, dating back 1300 years, within meticulously reconstructed buildings that do not use any modern nails or fasteners. Finally, conclude the program with a visit to a shrine and a leisurely time with Ise tea and traditional Japanese sweets.