While Mum is visiting she wanted to see a different area of Japan but on the condition that I had not seen the place before! So I looked at my list of places to see and decided on the Ise peninsula. The Ise peninsula is about 3 hours from Himeji by train. Ise peninsula is famous for the Grand Shrines – the Ise-jingu which are the most sacred Shinto shrines in Japan. Nearby there is also Mikimoto Pearl Island which is where nearly all the pearls in Japan are cultivated and at Futami there are the wedded rocks.
Day One
When we arrived at Ise station we had only a short walk to our Ryokan (traditional Japanese accommodation). It was an amazing tatami room with futons, a low table and a cool balcony with armchairs. There is a public bath to share but luckily we were the only ones here and you can make it a private bath!
The Ryokan that we stayed in.
Our room.
The little balcony.
The beautiful garden that the house was built around - an excellent house idea for me!
We then headed out to discover Naiku the Inner Grand Shrine. It was raining but the scenery was amazing. We crossed a huge river and went through many torii to eventually come to Naiku shrine. Every 20 years according to Shinto religion the shrines are rebuilt. Sadly you could not get a good view of Naiku shrine as it is so sacred only the Imperial family and special priests can enter the area. But over one of the fences you could catch a glimpse of a beautiful gold roof. Apparently this shrine contains a sacred mirror of the Emperor which has not been seen by anyone since the 3rd century. We then wandered along the street near the shrine which was lined with traditional Japanese style houses and shops.
The river you cross to enter the shrines.
Where you wash your hands to cleanse yourself before entering the shrine.
Part of Naiku shrine.
You can see just a glimpse of gold - which is part of the most sacred shrine at Naiku.
The amazing trees leading up to the shrine.
The old streets near Naiku shrine.
Day Two
Today Mum and I set out to see more of the sights. Our first stop was Toba which is famous for Mikimoto Pearl Island. After reading the Lonely Planet guide my understanding was that we would have to catch a ferry to the island however Mum and I couldn’t stop laughing as we only had to walk about one hundred metres on an overpass to reach the island! On the island was a museum about how pearls are cultivated, information about Kokichi Mikimoto who was the first person to successfully cultivate pearls and some amazing items he had made using mother of pearl and pearls. We also saw a display of women divers, apparently diving for oysters but I think it was really just to show their technique. The poor things just dove into the water and it was freezing – they were only wearing cotton pants and a top! I bought a pearl phone strap and a pearl bracelet – both definitely made from the “un-marketable” pearls which we saw in the museum! - they were quite cheap but look pretty!
Mikimoto Pearl Island and the bridge connecting it to the mainland!
Mum and I on Mikimoto Pearl Island!
The women divers
We then went to Futamigaura beach where the Meoto Iwa (wedded rocks) are. The rocks are out in the water and are tied with a sacred rope and they represent the parent gods of Japan. It was really good to finally see them as whenever I open my Japan book I see them and now I know how good they really look!
Day Three
Today we left the Ise Peninsula but first Mum and I thought we should visit the old merchant area which was just in the street behind where we were staying. It was a really old street with shops and houses, on the way back we also found a small shrine.
Mum at the gates in the shrine.
We headed towards the station and had time to visit Geku – the outer shrine. It was also an amazing place with really tall trees and beautiful scenery. The shrines here were also hard to see as they are also very sacred.
Geku shrine -- outer shrine
This shrine was also amazing - the sun was coming through the trees and was creating steam on the roof!
Mum and I had a great trip and I really recommend visiting the Ise Peninsula!
1 comment:
It looks sooooo cool. If I have time I am definitely going there!
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