Mie is known as a place blessed with the bounties of its mountains and the sea. Rich in nature, history, culture and modern amusement. Ise-Jingu Shrine is an extensive complex of the most sacred shrines in Japan You can see how Mikimoto Kokichi, King of Pearls, succeeded in pearl culturing at Mikimoto Pearl Island.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto or Nara)
We take you to Osaka METRO station or JR, private railway station whichever closer to your hotel. We will arrive at Kintetsu Namba station to take an express train bound for Ise.
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto or Nara)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Included:
*Guide fee, hotel pick-up fee in Kansai district (Kansai = City of Osaka, Kyoto or Nara)
*Travel expense as required for the guide to travel with customers by means of public transportation such as train, subway, bus.
Travel expenses for the guide included herein are limited within Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto)
*Meals , drinks or the like for the guide during the tour
*Any tax or the like as might be incurred by the guide in Japan
*Gratuity
Not included:
*Return train ticket from Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto) to Toba, Mie for the guide
*Fees to cruise river or sea or the like for the guide
*Admission tickets as incurred at Mikimoto Pearl Island for the guide
Mikimoto Kokichi is known as the King of Pearls. He was the first person ever to successfully culture pearls, which he did at Mikimonoto Pearl Island. You can see women dive to catch pearl oysters, various pearl arts, materials of pearl culturing and history of pearl culturing.
Naiku (inner shrine), Ise-Jingu shrine is consisting as many as 125 shrines in deep forest. dedicated to the Shinto Sun Goddess, Amaterasu Omikami (Great honorable deity who enlightens the heavens). So sacred shrine in Japan, the reigning Emperor and prime minister also make a visit to Ise-Jingu shrine every year (the first shrine visit of the New Year).
Okage-Yokocho opened in 1993 on the way to main approach to Naiku, the same year as the sixty-first Shikinen Sengu, an Ise Jingu ritual held every 20 years to remake all of places from scratch. The work Okage menas thankfulness and Yokocho means side street. It has a beautiful array of architecture dating from the Edo and Meiji periods creating a delightful and historical atmosphere. You can enjoy visiting specialty food shops, arts and craft shops and enjoy cultural experiences.
- IMPORTANT -
Not suitable for tours with infants, children, wheelchairs and strollers.
Be quiet and respectful in Shrines, Temples
Remove hats and sunglasses in front of main sanctuary in Shrines, Temples
Not to touch old buildings, old remains and objects
Not to take pictures where prohibited in Shrines, Temples
Lived in Chicago (5 years), Toronto (1 year), Singapore (2 years), Indonesia (4 years) and Birmingham, UK (11 years) to construct business platform, now retired after 40
years employment in Japan. Dynamic tour guide who develops many different ways along with rich experience overseas to entertain large or small tour groups. Enjoys the interaction with tour groups, very strong group presentation and communication skills, finds each guest question as an opportunity to learn anything new. Constantly learning information about each tour spot to enhance tours. Guided 8,665 guests all over the world across Japan as of Sept 30, 2024 since Feb 2015.
Annemarie W.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
“A wonderful day in Kyoto guided by Masahisa (Mike) Makino”
Mike met us at our hotel and whisked us off for a fantastic tour, focusing on all of the places we most wanted to see in Kyoto. He shared rich and invaluable historical, cultural and social insights that greatly added to our enjoyment of this trip. His thoughtfulness, generosity and sense of humour greatly enhanced the day for us. We couldn't have asked for more and highly recommend him!
Masahisa M.
(44 reviews)Annemarie I, too, had a wonderful day. I was drawn to Tara Hill by Vivian Leigh's lines, and I remembered being astonished by the "Beware of Fairies" traffic sign when driving through the forests of Ireland, also the mishaps I made at the Guinness Storehouse, and the movie "The Quiet Man." Please not to forget the rain check I promised you the next time you visit Japan. Thank you again for traveling to us from such a long way. Thanks Masahisa
Stephen B.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
“Top Notch! The "Must Have" guide!”
As a travel agent, I have a reputation for recommending only the best experiences to my clients. When planning their time in Kyoto, I knew I needed a guide who could provide not only expert knowledge but also personalized service. I found all of this and more in Masahisa. From our initial contact, Masahisa was a wealth of information. He went above and beyond to ensure my clients had an unforgettable experience. He advised them on lesser-known attractions, such as historical sites that require a lottery system for entry, and suggested hidden gems that other guides might overlook. Masahisa's meticulous planning was evident in his itineraries. He planned each day down to the minute, ensuring that my clients made the most of their time in Kyoto. He also assisted them with logistical details, such as collecting their rail passes and booking their Nozomi train seats. One of the most impressive aspects of Masahisa's service was his dedication to my clients' overall experience. He even escorted them to the meeting point for an evening activity with another company, ensuring a seamless transition. While I was only able to secure Masahisa's services for three days, I have no doubt that he would be an excellent guide for any length of stay in Kyoto or throughout Japan. His expertise, personalized service, and attention to detail make him a truly exceptional guide.
Masahisa M.
(44 reviews)Stephen Thank you. I am pleased to have been able to assist your company in some way. While living in Toronto, I frequently visited places like Casa Roma and watched Blue Jays games. When accompanying your guests here, memories of my visits to your country's beautiful cities, such as Montreal and Halifax, came to mind. I also enjoyed spending time with your guests this time. Their travels continue to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Dubai on and on, and while supporting their journey must be challenging for you, I pray for their safe and enjoyable return home. Japan still has many wonderful tourist destinations. If there is anything else I can assist with, please feel free to let me know. Thanks Masahisa
David C.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)
“Amazing Day Exploring Nara”
Started the day with a very informative briefing of the day at our hotel in Kyoto. Mike helped our family of 7 navigate our way to Nara most expeditiously, saving valuable time for our enjoyment of Nara. His knowledge of Kyoto and Nara was invaluable as our family utilized trains and buses to optimize our time at numerous sites throughout Nara. Mike shared his love of Nara and the Kyoto area with us and lunch at a local, traditional Japanese restaurant was a great meal. Mike also took great family photos of our day at the perfect photo spots along the way. We would highly recommend spending time with Mike as your guide, as we totally enjoyed our time. Thank you, Mike.
Masahisa M.
(44 reviews)David I am the one who should be thanking you for all allowing me to share such a wonderful time with your delightful family. I am deeply grateful that you traveled such a long distance to visit us all the way. I hope this trip would be one of your most memorable family vacations. I look forward to seeing you again sometime. Thank you again for visiting us. Masahisa