Day 1: Ikaruga, Nara > Mount Shigi, Nara

Your adventure begins at JR Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture.

Nara has a rich history that predates even that of Kyoto, and many traditional parts of the landscape remain intact to this day. One such area is Ikaruga, a town known for its cultural and historical significance, including the World Heritage Site Horyuji Temple and ancient tombs.

Choose from three unique experiences in Ikaruga:

1: Goshuin-cho making at Kichidenji

© 奈良斑鳩ツーリズムWaikaru ご提供

Learn to make your own Goshuin-cho from a monk at a historic temple. A Goshuin-cho is a notebook to collect Goshuin, red ink stamps used as a record of your visits to temples and shrines. The design of each stamp is a beautiful work of art. The monks will also share their insights about Buddhism and everyday lives. A memorable way to document your trip!

2: Tea ceremony at Taiseian Tea House

© 奈良斑鳩ツーリズムWaikaru ご提供

Enjoy green tea and sweets in a historical tea house built 200 years ago. In tea ceremonies, the master prepares by arranging the interior of the tea room and the garden to show hospitality, and the guests honour them with their manners. The tea served with such care is truly extraordinary in flavour and aroma. This is an opportunity to experience the Japanese tradition of the tea ceremony and appreciate its beauty and elegance.

3: Explore the pagodas on three wheels

© 奈良斑鳩ツーリズムWaikaru ご提供

Explore Horyuji and three other pagodas in Ikaruga on a three-wheeled electric trike. This is a fun and unique way to experience the stunning scenery of this historic region. Staff will provide instructions on how to ride the trike, and you will be led on a guided tour to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

*A valid international driver’s license in Japan is required. *Trike is a one-person vehicle. Children and people without licenses cannot participate.

After your chosen experience, it’s time for a delicious lunch.

You have the choice of the following three restaurants that each feature foods famous in the region:

1: Tatsuta-age chicken lunch at Fukokuen

© 和CAFE布穀薗

This 130-year-old house café is a must-visit for trying Tatsuta-age, a local specialty of Ikaruga. Tatsuta-age is a type of Japanese fried chicken coated in potato starch, and it is said to have originated in this region. In addition to Tatsuta-age, the café also serves other regional specialties, providing an authentic and delicious taste of Ikaruga.

2: Kakinoha-zushi lunch at Hiraso Horyuji

© 平宗 法隆寺店 ご提供

Hiraso is a local restaurant that has been serving delicious dishes for over 160 years. One of the must-try dishes here is Kakinoha-zushi, a type of sushi that is wrapped in persimmon leaves and is a delicacy of Nara. Enjoy your lunch in a relaxed and authentic atmosphere at Hiraso.

3: Kaki-udon lunch at Matsumotoya

Nara is famous for its persimmons, and at Matsumotoya, you can try a unique dish that incorporates this local delicacy – udon noodles made with persimmons.

After lunch, visit the World Heritage Site of Horyuji Temple with an English-speaking guide. Incredibly, Horyuji was built around 607 and is the oldest wooden temple in the world. It is amazing to see a wooden structure that has survived for over 1,400 years!

After your visit to Horyuji Temple, a private coach will take you to Mount Shigi, the location of your very special accommodation for the night. We will be staying at a temple lodge in Gyokuzoin Temple on Mount Shigi. Originally, these lodges were only for monks and worshippers, but in recent years, more places have opened their doors to everyone, providing an opportunity to experience the temple customs and traditions.

Gokuzoin Temple is a “sub-temple” of Chogosanshi-ji Temple. After a peaceful stroll in the vast precincts of Chogosanshi-ji Temple, you will enjoy a dinner of Shojin Ryori, a type of vegetarian Buddhist cuisine.

After dinner, take a night stroll through the beautiful Gokyuzoin Temple, where you will be surrounded by thousands of stone lanterns. The tranquillity of the temple at night will provide a peaceful end to the day.

© 玉蔵院 ご提供

*Please note that the temple closes at 10 pm.

Day 2: Mount Shigi, Nara > Mount Yoshino, Nara

It’s an early rise today, but worth it to participate in the remarkable prayer ceremonies at the temple.

At the Goma Prayer Ritual, the chief priest of Gyokuzoin offers prayers every morning at Yokuyu-do. Get up close and watch the fascinating ritual that involves an impressive use of fire. While at the Daihannya Prayer, the priest chants and read the names of participants to the principal deity so that they receive a talisman.

© 玉蔵院 ご提供

After a traditional Japanese breakfast, we will depart the lodge by private coach and head to Kashihara Jingu Shrine.

This shrine was built in 1890 to honour the first emperor of Japan and is known for its impressive architecture and long approach. Your guide will take you on a tour of the shrine, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the large halls and learn more about the history of this important site.

Alternative option available: bicycle hire in Asuka Village

After visiting the shrine, take the Kintetsu express train “Blue Symphony” to Mount Yoshino. Featuring a luxurious interior and bar counter, this sleek navy-blue train lives up to its concept of a “good quality journey” for every moment of your trip.

After arriving, take the cable car up to enjoy Kakinoha-zushi for lunch at the peak of Mount Yoshino.

After lunch, visit the World Heritage Sites: Kinpusenji Temple and Yoshimizu Shrine with an English-speaking guide.

Kinpusenji Temple, the symbol of Yoshino, is still the main temple where Shugendo practitioners from all over Japan gather. Shugendo is a Japanese religion that combines various beliefs with a reverence for nature. The practitioners sought out the mountains, especially Yoshino, as a place for ascetic practices.

Today, you will have the option to choose from among three accommodations in Mount Yoshino for your overnight stay. Dinner will be served at your selected accommodation.

1: Scenic Inn Hounkan

© 芳雲館 ご提供

A ryokan with over 250 years of history. Enjoy the panoramic views from the large open-air bath, then savour the seasonal delicacies.

2: Yoshinoso Yukawaya

© 吉野荘湯川屋 ご提供

Located in the centre of Mount Yoshino, this ryokan features interiors made from locally sourced wood. Their signature dish is a special hot pot made with Yoshino kudzu.

3: Chikurinin Gunpouen

Located in the traditional garden of Chikurin-in Temple, this accommodation offers Japanese-style rooms with views of the mountains. The public outdoor bath is spacious and provides a relaxing environment to unwind in.

Day 3: Mount Yoshino, Nara > Ise, Mie > Toba, Mie

After enjoying a breakfast of a traditional dish like tea congee at your chosen inn, we will continue our journey to Ise-Shima in Mie prefecture by Kintetsu trains.

Board a Kintetsu local train from Yoshino Station and travel to Kashiharajingu-mae, where you will change trains to Yamato-Yagi Station. At Yamato-Yagi Station, board the limited express “Ise-Shima Liner” bound for Ise station.

The Ise-Shima Liner offers spacious seats and wide windows, providing a comfortable ride as you take in the beautiful scenery of Ise-Shima.

Ise-Shima is a region located in the southeast of Mie prefecture. It encompasses the cities of Ise, Toba, and Shima. The area is rich in natural beauty and traditional sites, including the majestic Ise Jingu Shrine and the picturesque Shima Peninsula with its intricate coastlines and islands. Ise-Shima is also known for its unique cultures, such as “ama fishing,” where female divers, called “ama,” make their livelihood from the ocean.

After arriving at Ise around midday, we’ll start with lunch at your choice of restaurant:

1: Teppanyaki lunch at Tessen

© 2022鉄饌〜tessen〜

Indulge in the succulent flavours of Matsusaka beef and Ise lobster, and other local delicacies on a teppanyaki grill.

2: French lunch at Bistro Mirepoix

© 伊勢創作ビストロ ミルポア ご提供

Savour dishes that blend classic French traditions with quality Japanese ingredients and flavours

3: Seafood lunch at Daiki

© 大喜 ご提供

Enjoy the rich flavours of seafood from Ise-Shima, including lobsters, abalone, and tiger prawns, as well as local vegetables expertly prepared by skilled Japanese chefs.

After lunch, join an English-speaking guide on a visit to the Ise Jingu Shrine. Among the tens of thousands of shrines in Japan, Ise Jingu Shrine is the most revered.

Visiting Ise Jingu Shrine has been a popular activity for several centuries. In the early days, people would spend months trekking across Japan to visit the shrine for what was a once-in-a-lifetime event. To this day, it continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Japanese people, and they continue to visit, honouring the old custom of visiting the outer shrine first, then the inner shrine.

After visiting the Ise Jingu Shrine, we will make our way to Okage Yokocho, a street lined with traditional-style shops and restaurants that recreate the atmosphere of the town as it once was. Among the various delicacies offered in this area, be sure to try the famous Ise-udon, a thick noodle dish, and Akafuku-mochi, a sweet red-bean paste.

After exploring Ise, we will head to tonight’s accommodation – Toba International Hotel. The hotel is located on the cape overlooking the stunning Toba Bay, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful view of the sea as you relax. To top off the day, French cuisine will be served back at the hotel for dinner.

Day 4: Toba, Mie > Shima, Mie > Kashikojima, Mie

After enjoying a delicious buffet-style breakfast, take a tour around Toba. Start with a refreshing morning stroll around Toba Station and enjoy the fresh air. Stop by the gazebo by the water, where you can soak in the warm footbath and take in the stunning views of the sea.

Next, we will visit Mikimoto Pearl Island, the first place in the world to cultivate pearls. This island was even visited by Queen Elizabeth in the 1970s, who was known for her love of pearls. Here, you will learn more about pearls and the story of Koichi Mikimoto, founder of the luxury pearl company Mikimoto as well as watch a demonstration of traditional skin-divers.

© ”Visit ISESHIMA” Bureau

In Japan, professional women divers called “ama” dive into the sea without oxygen cylinders to catch abalone, sea urchins, and other marine life. The term “ama” literally means “woman of the sea,” and it is a lifelong passion for many, with some ama continuing to dive into their 70s. This unique Japanese tradition has been passed down from generation to generation for over 2,000 years.

The Toba-Shima region of Mie Prefecture is home to many unexplored bays and abundant seafood. It is no surprise that half of all ama divers in Japan call this region home. In the past, ama divers were an integral part of pearl cultivation, collecting shellfish and moving them to safer locations during bad weather.

The tour will also take you to a divers’ hut called “Hachiman Kamado”, where you can meet the divers.

© ”Visit ISESHIMA” Bureau

The hut is where the divers warm up after a tough day in the sea and socialise with fellow divers. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch of freshly grilled seafood and witness traditional folk songs and dances.

Through the warm hospitality of the divers, you will gain a deeper understanding of their way of life.

We will also visit the Osatsu Ama Museum and the Shinmei Shrine, which will provide insight into the culture that remains strong in the region.

After the ama diver experience, we will head further south to Kashikojima island, the largest of the islands in the Shima area, for a peaceful and relaxing overnight stay.

The scene is truly idyllic as you gaze over the pearl farms floating in the calm bay and a golden sunset lights up the horizon. Kashikojima offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Take this opportunity to recharge and reconnect with nature.

You will have the option to choose from three accommodations in Kashikojima for your overnight stay. Dinner will be served at your selected accommodation.

1: Kashikojima Hojoen

© Kashikojima Hojoen

Kashikojima Hojoen is an authentic Japanese ryokan-style accommodation that boasts beautiful Japanese architecture, including a breezy three-storey atrium garden with a flowing waterfall. Enjoy a spectacular view of Ago Bay as you relax and rejuvenate in the natural hot spring and outdoor garden baths.

2: Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic

© Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic

Operated by Kintetsu Miyako Hotels, Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic is a highly-regarded hotel that was the venue for the G7 Summit in 2016.
Its stunning views of Ago Bay and impeccable hospitality are unmatched.

3: Basara-tei

Nestled on a hill overlooking Ago Bay, Basara-tei is an exclusive retreat with only 20 guest rooms on a vast, secluded site. Each room is equipped with an open-air bath, providing the perfect environment for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Day 5: Shima and Kashikojima, Mie

After breakfast at the hotel, we will delve into the rich culture of Ise-Shima.

Our first stop will be “Pearl no Sato”, a pearl farm where you can witness pearl cultivation in action. Many pearl farms in Ise-Shima are moored in the sea, and during your visit, you will have the opportunity to see how the shells are harvested and the pearls are extracted and even have the chance to try it for yourself.

The pearl farms in Ise-Shima are carefully tended by the owners, and on your visit, you will gain an understanding of the process of pearl production and the natural beauty of the region. As a souvenir, you can take home a shiny pearl to remember your experience.

After visiting the pearl farm, we will move on to Katsuo no Tenpaku, where they make dried bonito using traditional methods in a smoking hut.

The Ise region was once known as Miketsukuni, or “the land of food”, because of its food offerings to the Imperial family. One such offering was dried bonito, an essential ingredient in Japanese broth that adds a savoury flavour known as umami.

At Katsuo no Tenpaku, you will learn about the process of making dried bonito and the food culture of Ise-Shima. You will also have the chance to sample the bonito flakes sprinkled on freshly steamed rice made in an earthenware pot – a must-try!

Alternative option available: Bicycle hire in the Ise-Shima area

To conclude the tour, we will visit Yokoyama Observatory, which offers a breathtaking view of Ago Bay.

From the cold of northern Japan to the tropical intensity of Okinawa in the south, Japanese people have adapted their lifestyles to their unique environments for centuries. The people of Ise-Shima have found a balance between their traditional customs and modern ways of life while living in harmony with the sea.

This is the perfect place to end our adventure, taking in the beauty of Japan while reflecting on the experiences we had over the past five days – the people we’ve met, their lives, and their customs.

A private coach will transfer you to Kintetsu Ugata station at the tour’s conclusion. (After the tour ends, please make your own way to Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, etc., according to your own schedule.)