Getting on/off shinkansen; the ride to Nagoya is approximately 1.5 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; the drive to Ise is about 50 miles (80 kilometres) approximately 2 hours; the drive to Shima is about approximately 1 hour. Walking approximately 1 mile, standing up to 2 hours; paved and unpaved ground. Shoes must be removed at entrance of rooms in Japanese Inns. Sitting on low chairs for dining; sleeping on Japanese futons on the floor.
This morning your larger luggage item will be sent ahead to Kyoto. Please have your luggage down to reception by 7am. Plan to keep your smaller luggage with you for travel by train. Hotel buffet.
After checking out of the hotel, we will take taxis to Tokyo Station and catch an early Shinkansen to Nagoya. Upon arrival at Nagoya Station, we meet our local expert, board a motorcoach, and drive from Nagoya to Mie Prefecture. En route, our expert provides an in-depth explanation of Shinto, which forms the basis for much of Japanese society, tradition, culture, and daily life through its respect for the interwoven relationships between humanity and nature, connecting to the mystery, power, and holiness of creation.
At a local restaurant, we will have a set meal of local specialties including Ise udon (udon noodles in soy-based sauce) and tekone sushi (marinated tuna served on sushi rice); tea and water included, other beverages available for purchase.
We will walk with our local expert through the sacred forest to the Ise Grand Shrine — Ise Jingu — the most sacred Shinto shrine in Japan and ancestral shrine of its emperors. It consists of the outer Geku and the inner Naiku shrines, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, the supreme Shinto deity. First constructed in 4 BCE, the shrine is completely rebuilt every 20 years. There are more than 100 other structures in this extensive complex including smaller shrines dedicated to other Shinto spirits. We will explore daily life, traditional cultures, and Shinto practice that is still relevant today as it was a thousand years ago. Please note that we are not permitted to enter the sacred area of Ise Jingu itself. After walking through the sacred forest, we stroll down the small street of Okage Yokocho village, filled with reconstructed quaint traditional houses, shops, and street-side stalls, much as 19th-century pilgrims once did. Reboarding our motorcoach, we continue along the peninsula and stop for a short walk along the coast to view Meoto Iwa, the “Married Couple Rocks.” In Shinto belief, they symbolize the celebration of marriage and connected by a “shimenawa” — distinctive sacred ropes made of braided rice stalks. According to Shinto legend, the islands in the Japanese archipelago were born of this couple. Moving on, we will arrive in Shima and check in to our ryokan-style hotel, complete with tatami rooms. A "ryokan" is a traditional Japanese inn that is usually family-owned and operated. Once in your room, you can change into the provided “yukata” (casual kimono). This is traditionally worn throughout the hotel during a guest's stay.
In a private room in the hotel, we will have a traditional Japanese “kaiseki” — a multi-course dinner that is an expression of culinary expertise featuring seasonal, local specialties. Mie Prefecture, bordered by the sea, is renowned for seafood. The region was considered the “grocery store” of the emperor in Kyoto and is notable today for its many high-quality products.
At leisure. You might like to use the onsen — the traditional, communal Japanese bath divided into male and female sections. Japanese culture is particular about manners, and bath etiquette is very important. Please note that tattoos are considered a cultural taboo and are not permitted to be displayed in Japanese baths.
