Ise, Mie

• ja-stalink|Ujiyamada
*Toba Line":ja-stalink|Ujiyamada • ja-stalink|Isuzugawa • ja-stalink|Asama • ( for ja-stalink|Kashikojima >> )

;JR Central
*Sangū Line":( << for ja-stalink|Nagoya, ja-stalink|Kameyama ) • ja-stalink|Miyagawa • ja-stalink|Yamada-Kamiguchi • ja-stalink|Iseshi • ja-stalink|Isuzugaoka • ja-stalink|Futaminoura • ja-stalink|Matsushita • ja-stalink|Ikenoura Seaside • ( for ja-stalink|Toba >> )

Bus

Sanco operates a number of buses to and through Ise. The main bus hub in town is right in front of the JR exit of Ise-shi Station.

Roads

Expressways
* Ise Expressway: Ise-nishi IC • Ise IC

Toll Roads
* Ise-Futami-Toba Line
* Ise-Shima Skyline

National Routes
* Route 23
* Route 42
* Route 167

Air

Ise will be opening a direct ferry link to Central Japan International Airport in 2008.

Places of Interest

*Ise Grand Shrine - It is sometimes called "The Shrine of the shrines" to indicate its status as the most sacred Shintō shrine. Legend has it that Yata-no-kagami (The Sacred Mirror), one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, is housed somewhere within the grounds. The entire Shrine is completely rebuilt from scratch every twenty years using fresh lumber that is brought to Ise and then ceremonial carried through the city streets on its way to the Shrine during an "okihiki" (お木曳). The Shrine is currently in its 61st reconstruction, meaning this tradition has been carried out for at least 1220 years. The next reconstruction will be in 2013.
** Outer Shrine (外宮 "gekū") - Sometimes called "toyouke-daijingū" (豊受大神宮), is dedicated to Toyouke-Ōmikami, the goddess food, clothing, and shelter (life's basic needs). Pilgrims are supposed to visit the Outer Shrine before visiting the Inner Shrine. However, if your time in Ise is limited you are encouraged to skip the Outer Shrine because the Inner Shrine is the far more famous of the two. Then again, this makes the Outer Shrine an ideal place for a tranquil walk through well-preserved nature as it is far less crowded. The beautiful pond that is immediately adjacent to the Shrine grounds provides for a particularly nice walk. The Outer Shrine is located very close to Ise-shi Station. From the station, exit from the JR side (as opposed to the Kintetsu side), walk straight down the road, and you'll be there within five minutes.
** Inner Shrine (内宮 "naikū") - Sometimes called "kō-taijingū" (皇大神宮), is dedicated to Amaterasu-Ōmikami, the sun goddess who is sometimes called the "supreme kami". This shrine sees many visitors from around Japan on a daily basis; there is a sharp increase during the New Year's season. People traditionally visit a shrine on New Year's Day, but since it will be the first visit of a new year, special consideration is given to the choice of the shrine. Some people travel to shrines that may be more significant than ones in their own area, and this inevitably leads people to Ise Grand Shrine, particularly the Inner Shrine. The inner sanctum of the main shrine area within the Inner Shrine is off-limits to visitors, thus only the rooftop of the structure that houses the kami can be seen. This image widely represents Ise Grand Shrine.
** Cultural Facilities - These institutions provide a deeper understanding of Ise Grand Shrine. They are all housed at the top of a hill called Mt. Kurata which is part of the pilgrimage route between the Outer Shrine and the Inner Shrine.
*** History Museum (神宮徴古館 "jingū-chōkokan") - Chronicles the creation and development of the Shrine.
*** Fine Art Museum (神宮美術館 "jingū-bijutsukan") - Displays works by artists and painters donated during the reconstruction ceremony that is held once every twenty years.
*** Agricultural Museum (神宮農業館 "jingū-nōgyōkan") - Since the Outer Shrine is dedicated to Toyouke-Ōmikami, the goddess of life's basic needs, this museum covers how agriculture fulfills these needs.
*** Library (神宮文庫 "jingū-bunko") - Contains various volumes dealing with Shintō and Ise Grand Shrine. Open to the public, but generally used by researchers and Shintō priests.
** Oharai Machi (おはらい町) - A small sidestreet that runs between Prefectural Route 32 and the entrance to the Inner Shrine with buildings that are made to look ancient. The part of the road closer to the Inner Shrine is filled to the brim with vendors, particularly those selling omiyage. This road is home to the main Akafuku shop.
** Okage Yoko-chō (おかげ横丁) - This area branches off of Oharai Machi about halfway between Prefectural Route 32 and the entrance to the Inner Shrine. It has a large concentration of eateries. Taiko performances can be heard here sometimes, usually on the weekends. It should be noted that both Oharai Machi and Okage Yoko-chō are extremely popular among tourists visiting the Inner Shrine and will often be just as crowded, if not more crowded than the Shrine.
* The Wedded Rocks (夫婦岩 "meoto-iwa") - Located at Futami Okitama Shrine (二見興玉神社) in northeastern Ise. The rocks have been enshrined and are thus considered gods. The picture was taken at high tide. During low tide the sea is completely out and the rocks look less impressive. Visitors are encouraged to go during high tide.

* Ise-Shima National Park
** Ise-Shima Skyline - A 16.3km-long scenic mountain road that runs between Ise and Toba. One-way with a car costs ¥1,220, with a motorcycle it's ¥860.
** Mt. Asama (朝熊山) - At 555m, this is the tallest mountain in Ise; its two TV towers make it very distinctive. At the top there is a lookout point with a large paved parking lot that is accessible from the Ise-Shima Skyline road. Near the parking lot are some buildings and a pool of hot water to soak your feet in while you take in the beautiful view. The summit can also be reached via a hiking path up the mountain that starts just north of Asama Station.
** Kongōshō Temple (金剛證寺) - A Buddhist temple near the top of Mt. Asama. It is accessible from the Ise-Shima Skyline road.
* Miya River
** Riverbank Park (宮川堤公園 "miya-gawa tsutsumi kōen") - A famous cherry blossom viewing area, making it a very popular destination during the prime blooming season which is in early April. Also has a big large fireworks display in mid-July. The park is on the east side of the river near the Watarai Bridge.
** Love River (ラブリバー) - Public leisure and sports facilities for baseball, soccer, basketball, and tennis. The park is on the east side of the river near Route 23.
* Edo Wonderland Ise (安土桃山文化村 "azuchi momoyama bunka mura") - A theme park with an Edo Period theme, featuring samurai, a ninja maze, and a ghost house. Located in Futami.
* Kawasaki - A lane of buildings built to resemble the old merchant quarters in Ise. Found along the Seta River north of Ujiyamada Station.
* Shintomi-za (進富座) - Independent movie theater showing a variety of art-house Japanese and foreign films. A short walk south of Miyamachi Station.

Festivals

* Ise Festival - Ise's largest festival, held for two days in the mid-October. Celebrates all things Ise.
* Okihiki (お木曳) - Festival in which the timber that will be used to reconstruct Ise Grand Shrine is ceremonially carried through the streets. Each neighborhood (or district) of Ise city is responsible for carrying its share of the load, and the ceremony is spread out over many weekend dates to allow all neighborhoods to participate. This festival is not held every year, it is only held for three consecutive years starting eight years before a Shrine reconstruction. For example, the Okihiki festivals for the next Shrine reconstruction in 2013 were held in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Okihiki for the Outer Shrine is held in May and starts on the Miya River. Okihiki for the Inner Shrine is held in late July and starts near the Isuzu River.
* Cherry Blossom Festival - Held during cherry blossom blooming season on the Miya River (near the Watarai Bridge).
* Miya River Fireworks - Held in mid-July.
* Tennō Festival - Held usually on the Sunday evening of the 3 day weekend in July, near Kawasaki. Well known for Goldfish fireworks in the evening.
* St. Patrick's Day Parade - Held every March on a Saturday.

Famous People

* Kon Ichikawa (1915 - 2008) - Film director. Born in Ise.
* Hiroki Mizumoto (1985 - ) - Soccer player. Has played for the Japan National Soccer team. Born in Ise (Misono).
* Mizuki Noguchi (1978 - ) - Runner. Marathon gold medalist in the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics. Grew up in Ise.
* Eiji Sawamura (1917 - 1944) - Baseball player (pitcher). Member of the Japanese Baseball Hall-of-Fame. Born in Ise.
* Ōoka Tadasuke (1672 - 1752) - Samurai. Served as Chief of Police under the Shogun Yoshimune Tokugawa. Served as Magistrate of Yamada (modern-day Ise) in the Edo period.
* Isao Takahata (1935 - ) - Animator. Co-head of Studio Ghibli. Born in Ise.

Neighbors

Ise is bordered by:
* Ise Bay, to the north.
* The city of Toba, to the east.
* The city of Shima, to the southeast.
* The town of Minami-Ise, to the south.
* The town of Watarai, to the southwest.
* The town of Tamaki, to the west.
* The town of Meiwa, to the northwest.

References

External links

*
* [http://www.isejingu.or.jp/english/ Ise Grand Shrine official website] in English
* [http://www.miejets.org/forum/z_page.php?pg=gbk&search=ise Ise city guide] from the [http://www.miejets.org/forum/z_page.php?pg=gbk Mie Guidebook] at [http://www.miejets.org Mie JETs]
* [http://www.seekjapan.jp/article-1/917/A+Day+Tripper's+Guide+to+Ise+and+Toba A Day Tripper's Guide to Ise and Toba] "Japanzine" By Zack Davisson
* [http://isepaddysdayparade.googlepages.com/home Ise St. Patrick's Day Parade]