Ise City

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  • Ise City Crossing Miya River, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City Street Kawasaki Kaiwai, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City Street Kawasaki Kaiwai, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City Street Kawasaki Kaiwai, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City, Mie Prefecture

  • Ise City, Mie Prefecture

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Facts & Figures

Ise City has a population of app. 129,000 and covers an area of 208.53 square kilometre. The city is famous for the Ise Grand Shrine (Ise-jingu). The most sacred Shinto Shrine in Japan attracts every year 7.5 Mio visitors and is a huge driver for the local economy. Best Ryokans in Ise and Toba Experience the Ultimate Japanese Hospitality at a Ise and Toba Ryokan.
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My tips for local activities

How about exploring the city Ise and the Ise Grand Shrine on a personalized tour with a local guide. Check out this page > for more details.

History

The history of modern Ise City is tied closely together by the popular pilgrimages to the Inner Shrine and Outer Shrine of Ise. Two settlements around these shrines grew together to Ujiyamada village in 1889. In 1955 Ujiyamada was renamed to Ise City.

Location

Map of Japan

Ise City is located in the Mie Prefecture at the Futami Bay.

How to get to Ise City?

  • from Tokyo to Nagoya to Shima Peninsula
  • 100min from Tokyo to Nagoya by JR Tokaido Shinkansen
  • 80min from Nagoya to Ise-shi Station by Kintetsu limited express train

Sightseeing spots

Top:

Ise Grand Shrine (Ise-jingu) - Inner Shrine - the most sacred place in the Shinto religion

Ise Grand Shrine (Ise-jingu) - Outer Shrine - not every place is accessible by the public, but netherless a great place to discover the spiritual soul of Japan

Oharai-machi / Okage Yoko-cho - an old traditional Japanese village

Miya River / Miyagawa - great place to enjoy the cherry blossom in April

Kawasaki Kaiwai - a street with traditional Japanese shops and houses

Edo Wonderland - an amusement park in the eastern part of Ise

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

April

Kagura-sai (5th till 6th)
Spring Festival will be celebrated at Naiku, the Inner Shrine, with sacred dance and music performances.

July

Ise Jingu Hono Zenkoku Fireworks Festival (14th)
Amazing fireworks competition of artists from Japan. You will see app. 9000 fireworks shoot in the air to celebrate the transfer of the god body to the shrine in 1953.

September

Kagura-sai (22nd till 24th)
Autumn Festival will be celebrated at Naiku, the Inner Shrine, with sacred dance and music performances.

October

Ise Ō-Matsuri (5th till 6th)
This is the biggest festival in Ise. Enjoy the parades in the city.

Where to stay in Ise?

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My 100 Best Moments in Japan

Yokohama Street Scene

I have visited Japan nearly every year since 2004. This is my collection of the 100 best moments in my favorite country. Enjoy the pictures and I hope you will start your own journey soon.
Find out more >

Books about Japan

My recommended books about Japan

Reading books is a great source of inspiration for me. Check out my recommended list of books about the fascinating country Japan.
My Book recommendations >