Top Activities on the Ground in Mie Prefecture

The Saiku palace, a vast historical site covering 137 hectares, is where Princess Saio moved after leaving the capital Kyoto 1,300 years ago with her 500 attendants to serve at Ise Jingu on behalf of the Emperor. Designed after the image of the oxcart that Princess Saio rode in, visitors will ride in a modern green mobility vehicle (an electric golf cart that runs only 20 kilometers or less) and take a tour of the historical sites. The tour also includes a special visit to Take Shrine, tea time with Japanese sweets and Ise tea, and Heian game experience on the way to the shrine. Enjoy an idyllic ride through the historical sites of Saiku.

Private Bento-Making & Scenic Walk at Akame 48 Falls Slow down and enjoy the quiet beauty of rural Japan. A friendly local host-guide will lead you through making a traditional bento with fresh local vegetables and premium Iga beef. Dietary restrictions, including vegetarian options and allergies, can be accommodated with advance notice. Afterward, walk through the scenic Akame 48 Falls and enjoy your lunch surrounded by forest and waterfalls. A rare chance to connect with local food, nature, and countryside life. Highlights / ・One-group-per-day private tour in Japan ・Hands-on Japanese bento making experience ・Fresh local ingredients and premium Iga beef ・Scenic walk at Akame 48 Falls ・Authentic rural Japan and countryside experience ・Ideal for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path Japan trip ・Easily accessible from Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and Nagoya ・Free pick-up from Akameguchi Station (upon request)

At Tsuji "Tarafuku" Farm, you delve into an authentic experience that highlights the essence of agriculture, fostering deep connections with nature and the local community. The day begins at 10:00 AM with an orientation, followed by innovative agricultural practices using drones and IT at 10:30. Participants engage in the rice cultivation cycle, from planting to harvesting, to understand rice production deeply. The program, enriched by direct interactions with locals, offers insights into the rural lifestyle and culture, enhancing the appreciation of Japan's rural charm. A unique ONIGIRI-making session allows you to use farm-harvested rice, selecting seasonal ingredients to personalize their creations, part of the "Never ending rice" lunch at 12:00. The day, scheduled with thoughtful activities including seasonal work and community engagement, concludes with a sharing session at 17:30 and dismissal at 18:00, encapsulating the farm's ethos of joy and abundance in agriculture.

[International driver's license required] “Ise Jingu shrine” is the “spiritual hometown of the Japanese people” and is said to be the place to visit Ise at least once in a lifetime. Despite being repeatedly relocated over the past 1,300 years, the shrine and its ancient and new forms have been passed down through the generations, and its inside aspires to resemble a museum of Japanese culture. Okage-Yokocho, just outside the boundaries of the Ise Jingu Inner Shrine, is lined with more than 50 stores selling carefully selected local delicacies and souvenirs of Ise, and you can freely stroll around this area. HIGHLIGHTS: Choose the vehicle you like and visit places you can only go with a small and powerful electric tuk-tuk or bike. Enjoy an Ise tour from the past, as you take the “Sangu-kifuda” and receive hospitality at the stopover. Local guides with extensive knowledge of Ise combine stops to make a tailor-made experience on the spot that meets the needs of visitors.

HIGHLIGHTS: With the concept of "Go to the place you like. With the people you like. At the time you like.", this is a vehicle rental system with recommended routes devised by a local travel agency. [International driver's license required] Choose the vehicle you like and visit places you can only go with a small and powerful electric tuk-tuk or bike. This photogenic trip will allow you to enjoy not only the Jingu shrine, but to feel the murmuring of the river, and the wind and abundant greenery of nature. Touch your zodiac for good luck! You can also greet the god of the road and the god of entertainment during your visit to Ise! *There are two types of electric vehicles you can be rented: the "TUKTUK" and the "BIKE". *For those who are riding electric vehicles for the first time, please be reassured that you will have the opportunity to practice before we set off.

This rural town cycling tour is an ideal getaway from the bustling shopping streets near Ise Jingu. Just a couple of stations away you can pedal your way through ancient historical sites, scenic beaches and traditional sake breweries. Local people from the small town Meiwa call leisure cycling "Saikuling", a pun based on the remains of the historical Saiku palace where Ise Jingu's Saio princess used to reside during the Heian period (794-1185). Many of the spots you will see on this tour are designated national historic site and Japan Heritage. However, even if you are not into archaeological sites and ancient legends, this cycling tour will reveal a charming countryside town with its scenic landscape and warm-hearted people. Just a 15-minute train ride away from Ise Jingu in Mie, there is a whole hidden world to explore. Along the way your guide will tell you interesting stories about the daily life of local people and will introduce locally grown farm products.