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Ise

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Ise (伊勢) [1] is a city in Mie prefecture, Japan. Ise is primarily known for the eponymous Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror.

Culture and History

According to the official chronology, Ise Shrine [2] (伊勢神宮 Ise-jingū) was originally constructed in the year 4 BC. Most historians date the shrines from several hundred years later, with 690 AD widely considered the date when the shrines were first built in their current form. They are mentioned in the annals of the Kojiki and Nihonshoki, dating from 712. Sacred objects of the royal family reside within, including a covered mirror which has reportedly not been looked into for over a thousand years. The shrines are famously dismantled and rebuilt to exacting specifications every 20 years at exorbitant expense.

The present buildings, dating from 1993, are the 61st iteration to date and are scheduled for rebuilding in 2013.　Preparation work started in 2005 and many festivals will be held in the years to come; alas, the most impressive of these, the "tree-pulling" festival Okihiki (御木曳) in which lumber is ceremoniously carted to the shrine, was already held in 2007 and you'll have to wait until 2027 for the next one.

Many other annual events are held around Ise, most of which are related to the shrine:

  • Early in April - Kagurasai Ceremony (for three days). There are spring and autumn versions of this event. Performances of dance, music, noh, shigin and displays of flower arrangement are held in the garden at Naiku. Attendance is free
  • Middle of July - Miya River Fireworks Festival. Though not as spectacular as some fireworks festivals in Japan, this is in fact a competition for fireworks producers. Original and unique fireworks can be seen. Nearest station is Yamada Kamiguchi（山田上口） (JR).
  • Late in September - Kagurasai Ceremony (for three days). The autumn version of the event (details above).

Travel to Ise & Visa Requirements

By train

JR trains link Ise to Wakayama via the coastal Kii Peninsula line. If coming in from Osaka, a slightly cheaper and faster option is to take the private Kintetsu line.

From Osaka, Ise is serviced by Kintetsu trains. Kintetsu's Limited Express depart every 30 minutes, taking 1hr 40 mins. It costs 3030 yen for a comfortable reserved seat.

From Nagoya, Ise is serviced by JR and Kintetsu trains. Kintetsu's Limited Express is the fastest option, taking 1hr 20 mins. It costs 2690 yen for a comfortable reserved seat. By JR line it costs 1940 yen 1hr 30 mins.

Be aware that Ujiyamada station only services Kintetsu trains, while Ise-shi station is serviced by Kintetsu and JR lines.

Buses to Ise

The cheapest option for travel between Ise and Tokyo is the overnight bus operated by Sanco, timetable(Japanese only). It's a long trip and the comfort level is possibly below an economy class air flight but at

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This page was last edited at 16:37, on 26 December 2008 by Jani Patokallio. Based on work by Marc Heiden, Grant Curtis, Tom Holland and Ravikiran Rao, Wikitravel user(s) Early Bird and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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