Mie One-Day Tour｜Ise Grand Shrine, Futamiura Married Couple Rocks, Futami Okitama Shrine, Toba Aquarium, Mikimoto Pearl Island (Depart from Nagoya)
- A group of 4 people, worry-free transportation, a triple-depth exploration tour
- Experience Ise Jingu, Japan's most sacred shrine
- Visit Mikimoto Pearl Island to learn about the pearl-making process and watch the pearl-diving performance of Ama
- Enjoy the romantic seascape of Futamiura Meotowa Rock, a perfect combination of natural beauty and cultural experience
- See the rich marine life at Tottori Aquarium
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Departure Time | Standard Departure (8-9 am) |
| Minimum participant requirement | 4 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Additional service & facility | Transfer included |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Temples & shrines, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
The journey takes you into the heart of Japanese culture, starting with a visit to Ise Jingu Shrine where you'll feel the sacred atmosphere and experience the charm of ancient traditions.
Next, you will go to Mikimoto Pearl Island to learn about the pearl making process and watch the special performance of Ama pearl-diving. Or you can choose to go to Toba Aquarium to get close to various marine creatures and the wonderful dolphin show will amaze you. (Miki Pearl Island and Toba Aquarium are similar itineraries. In order to ensure the playing time, it is recommended that you choose to visit one of them.)
Finally, you will come to Futamiura Married Couple Rocks, where you can see this pair of rocks that symbolize a happy marriage and enjoy the unparalleled sea view. At Futami Okitama Shrine, you will experience a unique prayer ceremony and feel the tranquil and ancient atmosphere. There are also many frogs of various shapes here. In the hinterland of the shrine, you can see many Futami frogs, the messengers of the great god Sarutahiko. The Japanese word for frog is "カエル", which is the same pronunciation as the word "return" in Japanese. Therefore, in Japan, frogs have the meaning of "returning safely and returning what you borrow". In addition, it is said that if you put a frog amulet (縁起物) in your wallet, the money you spent will also come back, so it is a very popular souvenir. There are various frog stone sculptures in the area, each with different meanings, such as becoming younger, returning safely, finding lost items, etc. It is very interesting, so you may as well look for them one by one.
Ise Grand Shrine, located in Mie Prefecture, is a representative shrine of Japan. The two main shrines are the Kodaijingu (Inner Shrine), which enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the sun deity, and the Toyoke Daijingu (Outer Shrine), which enshrines Toyoke Omikami, the guardian deity of food, clothing, and shelter.
TOFU Yokocho: In front of the Torii gate of the Ise Grand Shrine, there is a street called "Echu-cho" that is as busy as a gate town. It attracts a large number of worshippers every year and is very lively. According to legend, this town was named Echu-cho because many people called "goshi" lived here from the Edo period to the early Meiji period, specializing in warding off disasters or performing Kagura for worshippers.
"Akafuku Main Store: - Founded in 1707, this long-established store has a history of over 300 years. It serves freshly made Akafuku mochi (Akafuku mochi is a specialty of Ise, representing the flow of the Isuzu River that flows through the sacred area of Ise Jingu Shrine).
Mikimoto Pearl Island is the island where Kokichi Mikimoto, known as the "Father of Pearls", successfully cultivated the world's first artificially cultured pearls in 1893. On the island, you can visit the Pearl Museum, Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall, and there are live demonstrations of Ama diving to collect pearls.
The Pearl Museum not only displays antique jewelry from the natural pearl era and art crafts made with pearls, but also has a special exhibition area where professional staff use real objects, specimens and images to explain the production process of pearls to tourists. At the Kokichi Mikimoto Memorial Hall, you can learn about the life of Kokichi Mikimoto, the founder of the road, from his birth in a Toba Udon shop to his success as a pearl king to his death at the age of 96. The view from the "Pearl Pavilion" where Kokichi Mikimoto lived in his later years is particularly beautiful.
Ama played an important role in early pearl farming. In the museum, you can watch live performances of Ama women diving to a depth of 5 to 6 meters to collect shells in plain clothes. In addition, there are many power spots on the green island. In front of the "Treasure Palace" where Kokichi Mikimoto also visited, there is an ancient well called the "Wishing Well". It is said that if you write your wish on the Akoya shell next to the well and throw it into the well, your wish will come true. The heart-shaped lucky stone nicknamed "Love Stone" found by chance on the roadside is also quite popular.
Toba Aquarium: Located in Toba City, it is the most popular aquarium in Japan with the largest number of species (about 1,200 species). The three-dimensional structure of the aquarium from the first floor to the third floor is divided into 12 areas. Its charm lies in the fact that you can roam freely without following a fixed route. It is known as the "aquarium without a fixed route". Visitors can visit freely and are deeply loved by tourists. Toba Aquarium is the only aquarium in Asia where you can see the "mermaid" dugong. It is also the first fishing cat exhibition hall in Japan. The Internet celebrity sea otter actress is not to be missed. In addition, there are a large number of rare animals in the aquarium. The popular sea lion show or walrus close contact time will be performed on time every day in the aquarium.
Futami Okitama Shrine is a must-see. The Meotome Rock stands in the sea all year round, shining with the sun and the moon, symbolizing the luck of marriage. Whether you are single, a couple or a married couple, you can pray for blessings here.
Futamiura Meetowaiwa: Meetowaiwa in the Futami Okitama Shrine is a well-known love tourist attraction. It is a large and small rock on Futamiura. According to legend, it is the Okitama sacred rock for the Sarutahiko Omikami and the torii for Amaterasu Omikami. The male rock is 9 meters high and the female rock is 4 meters high. There is a large shimenawa rope in the middle, with a total length of 35 meters. It is replaced three times a year to pray for a happy marriage, traffic safety, and the removal of bad luck.
Meotoiwa holds a large shimenawa-changing ceremony three times a year on May 5th, September 5th, and on weekends in December.
Purchase Notice
【Travel conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Aichi and Mie
Travel days: Round trip
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company: Reisei Tourism Industry Co., Ltd., etc.
Meals: Breakfast 0 times Lunch 0 times Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum number of people in a group: 4
Team Leader: 1
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: TuYi Group Japan Co., Ltd.
Address: 722 Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
License Number: Shizuoka Prefectural Governor Registered Travel Agency, No. 2-633
Travel Agency Association: Regular Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
A minimum of 4 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 4 day(s) before the departure date
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Acrophobia, Asthma, Epilepsy, Pregnant women
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
This is a fixed carpooling itinerary. Please be sure to abide by the stay time at each attraction and follow the arrangements of the driver and guide.
Please note that no refund will be given if you fail to participate or cancel the trip due to personal issues, lateness, etc.
If you leave the group on your own during the trip, the transaction will be deemed invalid and no fees will be refunded. If personal or property safety is affected as a result, the consequences will be borne by you.
The arrival time of each itinerary may change due to traffic conditions, weather, festivals, and crowds on the day. Please forgive us if the itinerary is delayed or cancelled due to the above or other force majeure factors. We cannot request a refund on this basis.
Traffic jams and other force majeure factors may occur during weekends and national holidays. The driver will also adjust the itinerary based on the specific situation. Please be sure to prepare your psychological expectations before placing an order.
The small group will be operated by a small car with a driver who is also the tour leader. Please be aware that this product is a carpooling service, and there will be other guests riding together. Parking is not allowed outside the scenic spots.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 4 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 2 to 3 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–1 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
Ise Grand Shrine is one of the most esteemed shrines in Japan, often referred to as the 'Spiritual Home of the Japanese People.' It enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess and ancestral deity of the Japanese Imperial Family, giving it profound sacredness. The shrine's architecture retains a simple, natural style. Every 20 years, it undergoes the 'Shikinen Sengu' ritual, a traditional practice of rebuilding the shrine buildings and renewing treasures, which uniquely preserves traditional techniques and culture.
The most convenient way to travel from Nagoya to attractions in Mie Prefecture such as Ise Grand Shrine and Futami Okinoshima (Meoto Iwa) is by taking a Kintetsu Limited Express train to Ise-shi Station or Ujiyamada Station, and then transferring to a local bus or taxi. For sightseeing tours that include multiple locations within a single day, opting for a package tour with private transportation will be more hassle-free, avoiding the complexity of planning your own travel routes.
In the 'Yakushi-machi' and 'Okage Yokocho' areas surrounding Ise Grand Shrine, you can find a diverse range of local specialties and souvenirs. Recommended items include 'Isuzu River Omamori' charms for purification and blessings, traditional sweets like 'Ise Udon' and 'Akachoko' made with local Ise ingredients, and exquisite jewelry crafted from Ise-Shima pearls.
When visiting Ise Grand Shrine, worshippers primarily pray for national prosperity, abundant harvests, the peace of the Imperial Family, and personal and familial safety, health, and happiness. As it enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, it is also considered a sacred site for prayers for good fortune, purification of mind and body, business prosperity, and overall blessings. It is recommended to approach with a sincere heart, expressing reverence and gratitude to the deities.
Toba Aquarium is renowned for its diverse collection of marine life. Among its most representative must-sees are the dugongs in the 'Sea of Dugongs,' gracefully known as 'mermaids.' Additionally, the sea lion show, seal feeding time, and interactive shows with otters and cats are very popular with visitors. The aquarium also features the 'Polar Sea' exhibit, offering close-up views of penguins and walruses.
Mikimoto Pearl Island not only showcases the history and knowledge of pearl cultivation but also offers the opportunity to witness the traditional 'Ama' (female divers) perform a pearl-diving demonstration, a unique local cultural experience. The island houses a Pearl Museum displaying various pearl artworks, and a Pearl Plaza where visitors can purchase pearl accessories. You can also stroll around the island, enjoy the beautiful sea views of Toba Bay, and soak in the island's atmosphere.
The best time to view Futami Okinoshima (Meoto Iwa) is at sunrise, especially during summer (May to July) when the sun rises between the two rocks, creating a spectacular scene. The two rocks are connected by a large 'shimenawa' (sacred rope), symbolizing marital harmony, good matchmaking, and prayers for safety. Visitors often come here to pray for good relationships, family harmony, or simply to admire their unique natural beauty and spiritual meaning.
Futami Okitama Shrine primarily enshrines Sarutahiko Okami, a deity of guidance who leads people and helps ward off misfortune. The shrine's most treasured object is a frog statue; as 'kaeru' (frog) sounds similar to 'kaeru' (to return) in Japanese, it symbolizes prayers for safe returns and financial prosperity. Futami Okitama Shrine is closely linked to Meoto Iwa, and worshippers often visit the rocks after praying at the shrine to seek matchmaking and marital bliss.
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