West Route
Day2
Mikimoto Pearl Island
A short walk from Toba Station, Mikimoto Pearl Island is the birthplace of Mikimoto Kokichi – the father of pearl cultivation. He discovered the method of inserting foreign matter, such as sand granules, into oysters to create pearls. Learn about his interesting life story at the Mikimoto Kokichi Memorial Hall. You will also find a museum that shows the history of pearl cultivation and its culture. Feast your eyes with its featured collection of some of the most exquisite antique pearl jewelry and artifacts, including a set of crowns in the likeness of European royalty.
Ama Hut HACHIMAN (female divers' huts)
Ama is a professional female diver who cultivates and harvests oysters and other seafood. The culture of ama divers is deeply rooted as it has been around for more than 3,000 years. The huts are an important part of their lifestyle. It is akin to a home where they change clothes, tell stories, take a rest, and warm themselves up after diving into the cold waters of the sea. At Ama Hut HACHIMAN, fresh seafood meal is prepared by the amas as they share stories about diving and their culture to you and your family. You can even experience what it's like to be in their shoes by wearing their traditional ama costume and trying out their folklore dance.
Ise Jingu
Ise Jingu is officially known as Jingu, and it houses 125 Shinto shrines which centre around two main sanctuaries, naiku and geku. Naiku is dedicated to the most revered deity in Japan, Amaterasu-Omikami – making it the most sacred Shinto shrine of the nation. Legend has it that over 2,000 years ago, the 10th Emperor Sujin tasked his daughter, Yamatohime-no-Mikoto, to find the best place to enshrine the Holy Mirror, which represents Amaterasu. As the princess traveled the country far and wide, she chose Ise City as the perfect location. Meanwhile, Toyo’uke-no-Omikami was enshrined in geku as a chosen companion and provider of sacred food for Amaterasu about 1,500 years ago. Toyo’uke-no-Omikami is considered the guardian of well-being, in charge of providing the three necessities to humans: clothing, food, and shelter. Through the walk around the Shinto shrines and beautiful nature, you will learn to understand the culture revolving this vital cultural asset.
East route
