Exploring Ise, Mie
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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto or Nara)
To meet you at your hotel lobby, with Gowithguide welcome sign board your name on. Followed after brief tour orientation, we start the tour of the day
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.
Mikimoto Pearl Island
Ise-Jingu Shrine (Inner Shrine) and Okage Yokocho (Side Street) food court, shopping district, having a special atmosphere with old wooden Japanese houses built in a small village
End of this day tour at your hotel in Osaka. If you stay in Kobe or Kyoto, we arrive later.
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto or Nara)
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
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
Tour Important Information
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
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Masahisa M.
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 9,513 guests all over the world across Japan as of March 31, 2026 since Feb 2015.
Reviews
Nino T.
“Exploring Osaka”
We booked Mike for Osaka tour after we had an amazing tour a few days earlier in Kyoto. Once again very thoughtful itinerary was planned for us to take into the the Museum, Tenjin Shopping Street, Kiromon Market Dotonbori street for lunch. A highlight was Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and a delightful tram ride. Another memorable day with Mike exploring Osaka.
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Masahisa M.
Nino Thank you so much for traveling such a long way to visit Japan. I feel honored to have guided you in Kyoto and Osaka, and I’m very happy to know the tours added something meaningful to your trip. Please take home many wonderful memories, and I hope our paths cross again someday. Thanks Masahisa
Nino T.
“Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)”
The tour with Mike was unbelievable. We packed so much in to one day and all learned quite a lot about Kyoto and the many beautiful shrines and temples to explore. Th opportunity to gain access and visit some of the lesser known and less busy Shrines was a bonus and we are very grateful to Mike for suggesting these and helping us to arrange the passes. This is a great way to contrast Kyoto more known tourist spots with the beauty and calmness of the imperial gardens Thank you Mike.
Noah L.
“A Great Kyoto Tour with Mike-San”
Mike was an absolutely fantastic tour guide. He came armed with a wealth of knowledge and catered / specialized the tour on the fly to match our curiosities and interests. An all-around special guy. His energy and enthusiasm were infectious. Took some Polaroids with him to commemorate the day. We like Mike!
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Masahisa M.
Noah I am truly grateful that you came all the way to Kyoto and that I was able to spend such a wonderful time with you and the professor. My only regret is that the visit to the Uzumasa studio set could not be arranged this time, as it coincided exactly with their filming schedule. King C. Gillette, when introducing his groundbreaking invention of the disposable razor blade, identified the following three conditions for achieving success in business: 1) The ability to incorporate the latest technology into the product 2) The existence of widespread demand for that product 3) The capability for mass production (that is, producing large quantities at low cost) With these three elements in place, his “razor blade business” achieved worldwide success. After watching your commercial videos, I was deeply impressed by your talent and artistic sensibility. Walking through Kyoto with all of you—future leaders of American cinema—has become a precious memory for me as well. I hope we can meet again someday, either in Japan or in the United States. Wishing you great success in your future careers in the film industry. Thanks Masahisa
$281/ per group
More tours by Masahisa M.
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Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)
Kyoto is known as exotic sightseeing places and numerous historic, quaint old monuments are seen all over the town. This tour covers part of Rakutou (East district) and Central district. Visiting Rakutou, Gion, Yasaka-jinja shrine, Kodai-ji temple, Kiyomizu-dera temple are the most famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto. Particularly well known for the deity of love and marriage in Rakutou area.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)
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Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
Kyoto is known as exotic sightseeing places and numerous historic, quaint old monuments are seen all over the town. This tour covers part of Rakusai (West district) and Central district. Visiting Rakusai , Tenryu-ji temple represents the Kitayama culture. Nijyo-jo castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace in Rakuchu (Central district) are the cultural center during Heian, Momoyama and Edo periods.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
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Exploring Osaka
8,000 years ago, Osaka slept under a large seashore lake. This city of lake later turned to a city of smoke and eventually grew into the 2nd key international city after Tokyo. Birth place of industry in Japan, such as bank, insurance, steel, machinery, spinning, medicine, ship building, electrical appliance, etc. Touching days of Osaka ,Then and Now.
Exploring Osaka
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