Ise Shrine & Pearl Island: Japan's Hidden Gems

Embark on a unique tour of Ise Shrine and Toba Bay in Japan, where you can explore the home of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, and witness the art of pearl cultivation. Discover the rich history of Japan and indulge in delicious seafood along the way.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Futami Okitama Shrine - Enjoy the sight of the renowned Meoto-iwa, the couple rocks. The guide will provide insights into Japanese Shinto.
  • Ise Jingu - Experience the sacred ambiance at Naiku of Ise Shrine. Your guide will explain why this shrine is considered one of the most sacred places in Japan.
  • Oharaimachi Street - Have lunch at…
What's Included
  • Guide fee
  • Transportation
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Admisson fee for Mikimoto Island, JPY1,650/person
Additional Information

If you’re looking for a stunning destination in Japan that goes beyond the usual spots like Tokyo, Nara, or Kyoto, this tour is perfect for you. You’ll visit the revered Ise Shrine, a site of deep spiritual significance in Japan. This sacred place is dedicated to Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and the highest deity in Japanese mythology. Your journey…

Location
Iseshi Station
Take Kintetsu Limited Express train from Kyoto station at 7:02AM or Osaka-Uehonmachi station at 7:45AM. Both trains arrive at Iseshi station at 9:33AM. Please take the JR exit. I'll be waiting for you at the JR ticket gate. I'll have a laptop with your name on it.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(12 Ratings)
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Melody_m
Mar 7, 2026
Wonderful tour of Ise - This was a wonderful tour of Ise with visits to the famous shrines in the area as well as visiting Mikimoto Pearl Island. I had wanted to go previously, but it was logistically complicated and difficult without a translator and car hire. This tour made it possible to see a lot in just one day. My guide for the day, Fuji-san, was very prepared and provided information along the way for context. He also translated for me when I wanted to buy things and took photos of me during the trip, and even helped me with purchasing a train ticket on the way back. I highly recommend this tour if you want a complete, worry-free visit to Ise!
Review provided by Viator
Katoy2024
Jan 20, 2026
It's an outstanding tour! - This is a hilarious tour. You can learn Japanese myths. Fujinaga is very kind and tells you interesting stories understandably. You can also enjoy eating a spiny lobster and a Matuzaka beef sukiyaki. I found Japan was a misterius and amazing country again. Why don't you come to this Ise city?
Review provided by Tripadvisor
758averagebusinessgu
Dec 27, 2025
An excellent tour with a friendly guide - Fuji-san was very polite, friendly and knowledgable! His English is very good, he was punctual, and he knew the area very well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sfballdude
Nov 4, 2025
A great day in Ise - Mr. Fujinaga was an excellent tour guide. He started out with some very helpful background information on Japanese religion and also the geography of Japan. We then had a very comfortable ride in his car to Mieoto Iwa, where we saw the two sacred rocks, followed by visits to the shrine at Ise and the accompanying shopping street, a dramatic lookout point, and finally the Mikimoto Island. Fuji-San made the trip both informative and enjoyable and made us feel like VIP’s. The tour was through and well worth the cost. Do keep in mind there are extra fees for parking, the use of toll roads, etc, so the actually out of pocket cost is several thousand yen more than the TripAdvisor fee.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chicagomom40
Sep 7, 2025
Great opportunity to explore a beautiful part of Japan largely skipped by Western visitors. - Exceptional day exploring this part of Japan that is largely overlooked by Western tourists. Our guide Fuji was knowledgeable and really ensured we got the most out of our visits to the 2 shrines. The view from the mountain lookout was spectacular, even through the heat of summer haze and the Mikimoto pearl island will give you a greater appreciation of what it takes to cultivate these gems. Oh and definitely try the local abalone at lunch. It was delicious (as was the local beef and shrimp). Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Petert3666ks
Apr 12, 2025
Super recommended tour - It is in tour that is worth a lot. Our guide was excellent! and from confirmation was attentive and in constant communication. We take this tour from Ise Shi Station. Fuji-san, our guide, was already waiting for us with a tablet with our name on it. He gave us many explanations in every place we visited. It was a lot better than taking the bus tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Connector527310
Feb 14, 2025
Ise Tour - We had a very enjoyable day touring the Ise shrine and visiting Mikimoto Island. The vegan lunch place we went to was fabulous and off the beaten path.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris_p
Oct 21, 2024
Memorable experience - Fuji San an excellent and knowledgeable guide. We had a great day enjoying Ise’s beauty, traditions and culture.
Review provided by Viator
Jerimarieh2025
Jun 18, 2025
Great history lesson - Unfortunately, it was raining 100% the day of our tour. So, we had to forego Mt. Asama. This was initially the only reason we signed up for the tour as we could've seen all the other places on our own. Also, we should've cancelled but we only had that full day in Ise. Despite the weather, Fuji-san was a great tour guide and made our tour w/him worthwhile. He was well organized w/his power points to go along w/explaining the history at each sight more meaningful v us going to visit these sights on our own. Especially, learning about the Shikinen Sengo-rebuilding the shrine every 20 years. Fuji-san told us the main reasons were to keep and continue the spiritual, community and Japanese artisan building skills as it has been for many, many years. We saw the "Live" video on the big screen of the wood cutters chopping down the 2 trees to be transported the following week thru the river. We wished we could have been there to witness this event. However, our timing worked out as our next stop was in Gifu. We happened to be walking around Gifu and stopped to see why there was a huge crowd in this park. Come to find out, it was a ceremony for these 2 trees we saw being cut down on the video. They were loaded on the truck which was transporting these trees to Ise! If it weren't for our tour and explaination the week prior from Fuji-san, we'd have no idea why this cermony was taking place. So, overall this made our tour of Ise Jingu et all worth our time and $ we paid for this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paul_p
Apr 21, 2025
Very Upset - Viator and the tour operator took my money and gave me nothing. I asked for help from both parties and neither one was helpful
Review provided by Viator
From $119
up to 9 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).