Feature
Visiting shrines and temples, experiencing power spots, collecting goshuin stamps, enjoying local gourmet food and hot springs...this style of travel has continued from the ``Ise Shrine'', which became popular during the Edo period. There are many shrines in Shima City that are recommended for visiting shrines. If you are just starting to collect Goshuin stamps or are wondering where to go next, why not take a tour of Shima City?
Shima City is a region rich in nature and is also a treasure trove of food, known as Miketsukuni.
Fisheries and agriculture are thriving, and there are many specialty products unique to Shima City, such as spiny lobsters, Matoya oysters, and abalone.
In this special feature, we pick up spots where you can fully enjoy the charms of Shima City in two days, starting from Isobe with the main theme of "Goshuin Tour".
This is a model course where you can enjoy the scenery along the way, so please use it as a reference when sightseeing in Shima City.
Start your tour of goshuin stamps in the Isobe area, where Izawa-no-miya, one of the annex shrines of Ise Grand Shrine in Shima, is located.
Isobe Town, which can be reached in about 30 to 40 minutes by car from Ise City via Ise Road, is also the gateway to Shima heading south from Ise and Toba.
It is located in the central eastern part of Shima City, and is an area famous for the theme park "Shima Spain Village".
A theme park with a cityscape that recreates Spain and a variety of attractions that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
Also in the Isobe area, the Shima City Tourist Farm, where you can see various flowers depending on the season, is also a highlight!
A tourist farm attached to the roadside station Ise-Shima. It is a spot where you can enjoy flowers that bloom throughout the seasons.
Izanomiya Shrine is located near the JR Kaminogo Station, which you can find by heading straight from the Ise Road exit from the Ise direction and continuing along Prefectural Route 167.
Across the street from the shrine is the long-established eel shop ``Chuuroku,'' which is a registered tangible cultural property, and you will be seduced by the fragrant aroma of eel.
A long-established eel restaurant that has been in business since 1929. It is a two-story wooden building and has a quaint feel.
The restaurant is located in front of the torii gate of Izamiya Shrine, so we recommend arriving in Shima a little early and trying the eel for lunch!
Iza Shrine is one of the annex shrines of Kodai Shrine that enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, and is also the only annex shrine that has a Kanda (one of the 125 shrines of Ise Grand Shrine, and the second most prestigious shrine after the main shrine). The shrine building is surrounded by forest and has a majestic appearance.
The ``Izanomiya rice planting ceremony'' held on June 6th every year is one of Japan's three major rice planting festivals, and is also known as ``Isobe's Omita'' and is designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property. It is a venerable festival designated as
During the rice planting ceremony, a ``taketori ritual'' is held in which brave men compete for lost bamboo from large fans, and the fight for lost bamboo while covered in mud is worth seeing!
You can receive the Goshuin of Izazu Shrine at the awarding office on the right side of the torii gate.
| Address | 374 Kaminogo, Isobe-cho, Shima-shi, Mie Prefecture |
| TEL | 0599-55-0038 |
| Worshiping time | January, February, March, April, September 1:2-3:4 May, June, July, August 5:6-7:8 October/November/December 10:11-12:5 |
The Ugata area, which can be reached in 15 minutes by car from Izanomiya, is the most populous area in Shima City, and is the base for sightseeing in Shima, with Ugata Station providing convenient access to various places.
On the 3rd floor of Ugata Station, there is also a Shima City Tourist Information Center operated by the Shima City Tourism Association.
Located on the ticket gate floor of the Kintetsu Railway, it distributes useful information for sightseeing and pamphlets in various languages and languages, as well as luggage storage and luggage delivery services to the hotel, so be sure to stop by.
Located above Ugata Station, it provides information on Ise-Shima tourism, event guides, and services such as luggage storage. There is also a souvenir corner, so stop by before your trip or before returning home.
Sea lettuce fishing is active in Ugata, and the area has the largest production of sea lettuce in Japan.
The Yokoyama Observatory at the top of Yokoyama is one of Ugata's most famous tourist attractions, and the view of Ago Bay from the observatory is spectacular!
There is also a cafe, so you can eat while enjoying the view of the mountaintop.
An observation deck offering a panoramic view of Ago Bay and Ise-Shima National Park.
The magnificent scenery spreads out as if you are floating in the sky.
The main enshrined deity of Ugata Shrine is Masakatsu Azakatsu Katsuhaya ``Amenooshihomimimikoto'' is the god of victory, and is said to be auspicious because it has three characters for ``katsu'' in it. Is the name!
Ugata Shrine is a shrine that brings blessings for those who compete in competitions, and the company's name, Ugata, sounds similar to ``passed'' and ``Utsukatta'', so it is visited by students taking entrance exams and athletes.
A lion dance ritual is held from January 1st to 1rd every year.There are two lion dancers, a male lion (Miya-san) and a female lion (Gongen-san).The lion dance of a married couple is rare, and on the day of the event, many spectators from inside and outside the prefecture come to see it. Festival!
The lion dance ritual began to be held as a prayer for a rich harvest, a good catch, and the exodus of epidemics, as well as prayers for peace in the village.
There is also a cute votive tablet depicting Shima City's local character ``Aoi Shima Megu'', which is based on the ama diver motif.
You can receive a stamp at the shrine office, and the stamp with a seven-pointed star on it has the benefit of warding off evil spirits.
| Address | 1550 Ugata, Ago-cho, Shima-shi, Mie Prefecture |
| TEL | 0599-43-0332 |
| Worshiping time | 8:30 ~ 17:00 |
Hamajima, which can be reached in less than 30 minutes by car from Ugata Shrine, is located on the west side of Shima City and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Ago Bay.
The Hamajima area is home to Shikahama, a popular beach for surfers, as well as Goza Shirahama (surfing is prohibited all day long) at the southernmost tip of Shima City. There are rows of palm trees, giving it a foreign feel even though you are in Japan.
The Cape Isobue Observation Deck, which can be reached in about 2 minutes by car from Shiokahama, offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.
Don't miss the votive tablets made with Appa shellfish, a local specialty, and the Tsubasu Bell, which is said to bring you success and good fortune when rung.
This observatory is famous for its breathtaking sunset views.
Colorful votive tablets made of cypress fan shells (appakai) are unique to this region.
Hamajima is an area facing two seas, and is known as a ``Ise lobster town'' where fishing of lobster is one of the most active areas in Shima City.
One of the famous festivals in the Hamajima area is the Ise Ebi Festival.
Held every June to pray for a big catch, it is Shima City's most lively festival.
If you walk along the road from the Ise Ebi King Statue, you will come to ``Bindama Road'' where bottles of fishing gear are lined up.
The promenade is lit up at night, creating a magical atmosphere.
A walking road that stretches approximately 1km and is decorated with objects made from fishing gear. It is illuminated at night.
The Hamajima area is actually a region with many hot springs, and there are many open-air baths with great views of the ocean, making it a recommended spot for hot spring lovers.
Relax from your day's travels at an inn or hotel with a spectacular view, and relax in preparation for your second day.
The main deities are the five sons and three goddesses born from the vow of life between Amaterasu Omikami and Susano Omikami, and the deities that were enshrined together at the beginning of the Meiji era are enshrined here.
The shrine's guardian forest is designated as a natural monument by the prefecture.
There are Inari Shrine and Ebisu Shrine on Ebisugaoka to the west of the precincts, and a large statue of Ebisu with a missing nose smiles toward the sea to the south.
There is a custom of cutting off the nose of a statue out of a desire to ``take the first one'' and use it as protection against a big catch and a surefire victory.As the nose is always worn on the statue, it is called ``Hana-kake Ebisu''. It is loved.
At Ebisu Shrine, the first laugh ritual is held on January 3th every year, where people raise their hands and laugh three times.
You can get a goshuin stamp at the shrine office, and you can get a goshuin stamp with the company seal on it.
| Address | 681 Hamajima, Hamajima-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture |
| TEL | 0599-53-0088 |
Shima Mediterranean Village, located on the way to Ukehi Shrine, is an exotic hotel that recreates a Mediterranean townscape, and is an accommodation facility where you can enjoy views of Ago Bay and natural hot springs.
In addition to Mediterranean Village, there are many accommodations with hot springs in the Hamajima area, such as Premier Resort Yuga, Seaside Hotel Kujibousou, and Oedo Onsen Monogatari Ise-Shima, which are irresistible for hot spring lovers!
You can also search for accommodations in the Hamajima area here.
The Nakiri district, where Nakiri fishing port is located, is a fishing town, and is characterized by windbreak forests and stone walls throughout the town to prevent strong winds from the sea, and the stone walls from the Edo period still remain in the town.
At Nakiri Fishing Port, the Waraji Festival, which is dedicated to large waraji, which is registered as an intangible cultural heritage, is held every September. The festival, which uses giant waraji, which is rare in Japan, is a must-see.
It is a popular fishing port for anglers, and there are many fishing boats nearby.
It is famous for the ``Kaizoku Market,'' which is held in December.
The slope from the fishing port to the lighthouse is lined with many dried fish and souvenir shops!
The unique scenery of the fishing town and the Daiosaki Lighthouse are often used as models for paintings, and many painters have visited the area, making it known as the ``Painter Town.''
Additionally, there are several ama huts in Shima where you can experience the culture and life of ama divers.
Satoumi-an, one of the ama huts, is a place where tourists can sit around an irori hearth, eat and chat, and enjoy grilled spiny lobsters, abalone, turban shells, etc. caught in the seas of Ise-Shima. It is also a popular recommended spot!
An ama hut experience facility where you can learn about the culture and customs of ama divers. While listening to stories about Ama fishing, you can enjoy freshly caught seafood from Ise-Shima, grilled on the spot.
Nakiri Shrine is located on a small mountain up a stone staircase and within walking distance from Daiozaki Lighthouse.
The park behind the shrine offers a panoramic view of the ocean, and depending on the time of year, you can even see Mt. Fuji. Another feature of the shrine is that it enshrines whale stones, which are said to bring blessings for family safety, a good catch of fish, and good health.
Also, there were votive tablets made from shells.
At Nakiri Shrine, a festival called ``Waraji Hiki'' is held at the beginning of September every year, in which a giant waraji is pulled and floated into the sea.
The festival, which uses large waraji, which is rare in Japan, is based on the folk tale of a large waraji, which was created by the villagers in order to drive out the giant "Dandarabotchi" who was destroying Daiosaki from the village.
Although the shrine does not have a chief priest on duty, you can get a goshuin at the "Marui Himono Store" located right next to the shrine.
| Address | 1 Nakiri, Daio-cho, Shima-shi, Mie |
| TEL | 0599-72-0165 |
Katada, Shima Town, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by car from Nakiri Shrine, is located at the southernmost tip of the Shima Peninsula. Ama fishing is popular on the sandy Ono coast, and depending on the time of day, you may even see ama divers fishing.
The pearl-colored Shima Ohashi Bridge (Shima Pearl Bridge) offers views of Ago Bay and the surrounding mountains.
Pearl farming is popular in this area, and you can see pearl farming rafts floating here and there in the sea that can be seen from Shima Ohashi Bridge (Shima Pearl Bridge).
It is lit up at night and is a tourist attraction where you can enjoy a different view than during the day.
An ama hut experience facility where you can learn about the culture and customs of ama divers. While listening to stories about Ama fishing, you can enjoy freshly caught seafood from Ise-Shima, grilled on the spot.
Further west, you will find Goza Shirahama, which has been selected as one of the ``100 best bathing spots''.
The beach is shallow, with white sand, and the waves are calm, making it popular with families, and the excellent clarity makes it a popular destination for surfers.
There are many surf shops, and the beach is very popular in the summer.
A shallow beach with beautiful clarity. There are many beach huts and campgrounds, and it is a popular spot for families and surfers in the summer.
Katada Inari Shrine, which has blessings for maritime safety, is a shrine located by the sea. Katada Inari Shrine is worshiped as the god of fishing, and the contrast between the red torii gate and the sea is very beautiful.
On the brick roof is a statue of Urashima Taro with a dignified expression, and the bricks are decorated with Ryugu Castle and Otohime. The 48 pictures of flowers and birds on the ceiling of the main shrine are a must-see!
There are several shrines within the precincts, and the gods called Anagami-san, Koyasu-san, Tairyo-san, Konkon-san, and Kasuga-san are enshrined there.
The festival is held on November 11th and January 7th, and the shrine grounds are crowded with people during the annual mochi throwing.
The goshuin you can get at the shrine office is a goshuin with an Inari statue and torii gate drawn on it, typical of Inari shrines.
| Address | 64 Katada, Shima-cho, Shima-shi, Mie Prefecture |
| TEL | 0599-85-2342 |
With the main theme of visiting goshuin stamps, we introduced recommended spots that you can visit while traveling around Shima City in two days.
Shima City, which is blessed with nature, has many tourist spots other than the places we have introduced, so please be sure to visit Shima City.
| Izamiya Shrine | 374 Kaminogo, Isobe-cho, Shima City |
| Isobe Shrine | 1250 Erihara, Isobe-cho, Shima City |
| Rinkoji Temple | 1092 Sakazaki, Isobe-cho, Shima-shi |
| Suunji Temple | 611-8 Mikasho, Isobe-cho, Shima City |
| Ugata Shrine | 1550 Ugata, Agocho, Shima City |
| Yokoyama Ishigami Shrine | 874-4 Agochō Ugata, Shima, Mie XNUMX-XNUMX |
| Anori Shrine | 844 Anori, Agocho, Shima City |
| Shima Kokubunji Temple | 3476 Kokufu, Ago-cho, Shima City |
| Kokufu Shrine | 3007 Kokufu, Ago-cho, Shima City |
| Shinmei Shrine | 2-1 Shinmei, Agocho, Shima City |
| Honpukuji Temple | 2047 Tategami, Ago-cho, Shima-shi |
| Ukehi Shrine | 681 Hamajima, Hamajima-cho, Shima-shi |
| Tokurinji Temple | 881 Minamibari, Hamajimacho, Shima City |
| Yabashira Shrine | 208 Sako, Hamajima-cho, Shima-shi |
| Nakiri Shrine | 1 Nakiri, Daio-cho, Shima City |
| Daijiji Temple | 409 Nakiri, Daio-cho, Shima City |
| Funakoshi Shrine | 861 Funakoshi, Daio-cho, Shima City |
| Senyuji Temple | 6 Nakiri, Daio-cho, Shima City |
| Keishoji Temple | 490 Nakiri, Daio-cho, Shima City |
| Katada Inari | 64 Katada, Shima-cho, Shima-shi |
| Yakumo Shrine (Katata) | 2392 Katada, Shima-cho, Shima-shi |
| Yakumo Shrine (Japanese style) | 2991-1 Shimachō Wagu, Shima, Mie XNUMX-XNUMX |
| Wagu Kannondo | 2985-7 Wagu, Shima-cho, Shima-shi |
| Naegiri Fudoson | Shima-cho Goza, Shima City |
