Nagoya Return, Ise Shrine, Mikimoto Pearl Island & Toba Tour

Explore the Ise Grand Shrine, Mikimoto Pearl Island, or Toba Aquarium on a day trip from Nagoya. Visit the Futami Okitama Shrine and see the iconic Meoto Iwa (Couple Rocks).
Meet at the Ministop Meieki Tsubaki-cho and set off on your journey. Arrive at the Ise Grand Shrine, one of Japan's most important shrines, divided into the Inner Shrine and the Outer Shrine. The Inner Shrine is located on the banks of the Isuzu River in Ise City, surrounded by dense forests, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Follow the main pilgrimage route, passing by the Uji Bridge, symbolizing the entrance to the shrine. Photography of the main hall and priests is prohibited inside the Inner Shrine; please respect the shrine's regulations. You can obtain a goshuin (traditional shrine stamp) at the Kagura Hall as a souvenir.

For lunch, you are free to choose local snacks (such as Ise udon noodles, nigiri sushi, and akafuku). Enjoy lunch at your own expense at Fukusuke Ise Udon, a century-old restaurant specializing in handmade udon noodles with Ise's signature sauce. The noodles are chewy and flavorful. Popular dishes include Ise udon, yam udon, and fried tofu udon.

Next, choose between visiting Mikimoto Pearl Island or Toba Aquarium. At Mikimoto Pearl Island, the birthplace of pearl farming, watch amphibious diving performances, visit a pearl museum, and purchase jewelry. Ama performance times: If the opening hours are known to be 16:30, the last amphibious dive will be at 15:30; the 16:30 show will not be held.

At Toba Aquarium, located in Toba City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, observe dugongs, hailed as the "prototype of mermaids," are endangered marine mammals. The dugong here, affectionately called "Selena," has been kept in the aquarium for over 30 years. It consumes approximately 30 kilograms of seaweed daily. With its rounded body and gentle temperament, it is beloved by visitors.

Finally, visit the Futami Okitama Shrine, known for its iconic "Meoto Iwa" (Couple Rocks) and unique Futami frog culture. The shrine enshrines Sarutahiko-Okami (Great God of Sarutobi) and is a place for prayers for marital harmony, traffic safety, and more.

The Meoto Iwa within the shrine grounds is a very popular romantic tourist spot. It consists of two rocks, one large and one small, on Futamiura Island. Legend has it that these are the Okitama sacred rocks enshrining Sarutahiko-Okami and the torii gate of Amaterasu-Okami (Great Goddess of Mercy). The male rock is 9 meters high, and the female rock is 4 meters high, connected by a large shimenawa (sacred rope) that is 35 meters long. The rope is changed three times a year to pray for marital harmony, traffic safety, and protection from misfortune. The large shimenawa changing ceremony is held three times a year on May 5th, September 5th, and on weekends in December.

Within the shrine grounds, you can see many Futami frogs, messengers of Sarutahiko-Okami. In Japan, frogs symbolize "safe return" and "returning what is borrowed." Furthermore, it's said that placing a frog amulet (縁起物) in your wallet will bring back the money you've spent, making them a very popular souvenir.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.