How to Get to Ise

Ise—home to the sacred Ise Jingu shrine, ancient pilgrimage routes, and breathtaking coastal scenery—is an idyllic escape from the bustle of Japan’s major cities. But getting there isn’t as simple as hopping onto a bullet train. Nestled on the southeastern coast of Mie Prefecture, Ise is a bit more off the beaten path, tucked away from the main tourist routes. While this makes Ise an amazing location for travelers looking to escape the crowds, it mean that traveling to Ise on your own requires some effort.

Take the hassle out of planning your itinerary and learn the history and traditions of Japan’s most sacred shrine by booking your travels with us. Our 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Ise’s Sacred Shrines and Captivating Coastlines will provide you with a special opportunity to understand the heart and soul of the Japanese people refresh your body and mind with stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide from Nagoya on this full-day tour.

On this page you will find the following information:

Where is Ise?

How to Get to Ise

Best Things to Do Around Ise

Book With Us! Nagano’s No.1 Tour & Charter Operator

WHERE IS ISE?


Ise is located on the Kii Pensinsula of Japan’s main island, Honshu, and surrounded by the Ise Bay and the Pacific Ocean. About 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Nagoya, the area is known for its rich history and beautiful natural landscapes, including the Ise Grand Shrine and Ise-Shima National Park. Ise’s central location and blend of natural and historical destinations makes it an excellent destination for travelers seeking unique experiences off the beaten tourist path.

HOW TO GET TO ISE


Ise may be one of Japan’s most sacred places, but it’s certainly not the easiest destination to access.  In this section you will find information on how to reach Ise from the following starting points:

NAGOYACHUBU CENTRAIR AIRPORTNAGANONAKASENDO TRAILJIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARKTOKYONARITA AIRPORTHANEDA AIRPORTTAKAYAMAKYOTO & OSAKA

We aim to keep this information as up-to-date as possible and in recognition that most international visitors will be using the train network to move around Japan, most directions are for using the trains. If there is an alternative option (i.e. express or local bus) that is notably faster or economical, we also include that information.

FROM NAGOYA / approx. 2 hours


Your best bet is to take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kintetsu Nagoya Station, a smaller train station adjacent to the main JR Nagoya Station. The train will drop you at Isuzugawa Station or Ujiyamada Station. Isuzugawa Station is closer to the inner shrine, while Ujiyamada Station is closer to the outer shrine. It is easy to walk from Ujiyamada Station to the outer shrine, however, from Isuzugawa Station you will have to take the Geku Naiku(Chokokan) bus to the inner shrine.

If you’re looking to save a little money and don’t mind sacrificing time, the express bus from Nagoya Station to Ise is another way to make your way here. But beware—the bus ride will take about 2 hours, longer than the train, and there’s no guarantee of a smooth, scenic journey.

FROM CHUBU CENTRAIR AIRPORT (NAGOYA) / approx. 2 hour and 45 minutes


chubu-airport-nagoya

If you’re flying into Chubu Centrair Airport, located just outside Nagoya, reaching Ise is fairly straightforward. From the airport, you can take the Meitetsu Airport Line to Meitetsu Nagoya Station. From there, transfer to the Kintetsu Limited Express bound for Isuzugawa Station. 

FROM NAGANO / approx. 5 + hours


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From Nagano, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tokyo Station (around 1.5 hours). From Tokyo, transfer to the Tōkaidō Shinkansen to Nagoya Station. Once in Nagoya, take the Kintetsu Limited Express to reach Ise.

FROM THE NAKASENDO TRAIL / approx. 4 hours 30 minutes


If you’re hiking or traveling along the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route between Kyoto and Tokyo, the closest city for onward travel to Ise is Nagoya. Take the JR Chūō Line to Nagoya Station. From there, transfer to the Kintetsu Limited Express to Isuzugawa Station.

If staying the night in Magome. Take the Chuodo Magome bus from Magome to Nagoya before continuing on with the Kintetsu Limited Express to Isuzugawa Station. This allows you to experience the tranquility of Japan’s countryside before heading to the spiritual heart of Ise.

FROM THE JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK / approx. 8 + hours


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From Jigokudani Monkey Park near Yamanouchi, take the Nagano Dentetsu Railway to Nagano Station. From there, transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen and head to Tokyo Station. After that, switch to the Tōkaidō Shinkansen to Nagoya, followed by the Kintetsu Limited Express to Ise

FROM TOKYO / approx. 5 hours


From Tokyo, take the Tōkaidō Shinkansen to Nagoya Station. At Nagoya, switch to the Kintetsu Limited Express to Isuzugawa Station.

FROM NARITA AIRPORT / approx. 5 + hours


From Narita Airport, take the JR Narita Express to Tokyo Station (about 1 hour). Then, take the Tōkaidō Shinkansen to Nagoya Station, and transfer to the Kintetsu Limited Express to Ise.

FROM HANEDA AIRPORT / approx. 4 hours


tokyo-haneda

From Haneda Airport, you can take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station (20 minutes). From Shinagawa, transfer to the Tōkaidō Shinkansen to Nagoya Station. From there, switch to the Kintetsu Limited Express to Ise.

FROM TAKAYAMA / approx. 5 hours


takayama-station

If you’ve spent time in the scenic town of Takayama in the Japanese Alps, getting to Ise will require transferring at Nagoya Station. First, take the JR Takayama Line to Nagoya Station (around 2.5 hours). Then, transfer to the Kintetsu Limited Express to Ise.

FROM KYOTO & OSAKA / approx. 3 – 4 hours


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From Kyoto, take the Shinkansen to Osaka. From Osaka, take the Osaka Loop Line to Tsuruhashi Station, followed by the Kintetsu Limited Express to Ise.

BEST THINGS TO DO AROUND ISE


Ise offers a wide variety of experiences that blend history, culture, nature, and adventure. From exploring the sacred grounds of Ise Jingu to hiking the scenic trails of Ise Shima National Park, or even trying your hand at being a ninja at the Ninja Kingdom, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in this enchanting region. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Ise invites you to immerse yourself in the soul of Japan—a journey that is as spiritual as it is thrilling. We’ve created a list of some of our favorite things to do around Ise to get you started on planning your next trip to this stunning region of Japan.


BOOK WITH US! NAGANO’S NO.1 TOUR & CHARTER OPERATOR


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Central Japan offers many, many reasons to visit. Operating all year round, we are Nagano’s No.1-rated tour and charter operator, offering a range of services including group tours, private tours and charters. We can arrange transport including a private vehicle and driver, to transport you to, from and between any destination in Central Japan.

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Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are fitted with a protective screen – separating the driver from passenger and luggage area – and our drivers wear protective masks, allowing you to move between your destinations in comfort and safety.

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We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more!

Why choose us?

Awarded a 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan – we have the local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your time in Japan.

Got a question about visiting Central Japan? Contact us and let’s get planning together!

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