A Two-Day Trip to Ise Jingu and Nabana no Sato

Purpose of the Trip

Experience the spring season with blooming cherry blossoms while visiting Ise Jingu!
Enjoy street food at Oharaimachi!
Admire the illuminations at Nabana no Sato!

Schedule

Day 1
Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station in about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Then transfer to a train for about 1 hour and 20 minutes to Ise City Station. Ise Jingu consists of two main shrines: Geku (Outer Shrine) and Naiku (Inner Shrine). To visit Toyouke Daijingu (Geku), take a bus from the station. Photography is allowed up to the base of the stairs leading to the main shrine, but not beyond. Be sure to follow the rules within the shrine grounds.

The shrine is surrounded by lush greenery, creating a refreshing atmosphere. Cherry blossoms were scattered here and there, making it a perfect springtime visit. After the shrine visit, enjoy street food at Oharaimachi! Popular shops often have long lines. For instance, I waited 30 minutes for croquettes.

Butasute
Established in 1909, this long-standing butcher shop is known for its unique name, which comes from their dedication to beef, symbolized by "discarding pork." Their signature product is croquettes, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, making them a popular street food item.

Maruten Naiku-mae Store
This shop sells "Iso-age" (fried seafood snacks) made with fresh ingredients from Ise-Shima. Their "Tako-bo" (octopus stick) and "Cheese-bo" (cheese stick) are freshly fried and perfect for eating on the go.

Ise is also famous for its mochi. While you can enjoy them as street food, I decided to savor two types of mochi inside the shops.

Akafuku
Akafuku mochi, a traditional sweet with a history of about 300 years since its creation in 1707, consists of mochi topped with smooth red bean paste. Its shape represents the rippling waters of the Isuzu River that flows through the sacred grounds of Ise Jingu. As the main store had a long line, I enjoyed it at the Isuzugawa branch.

Henba Mochi
Made with rice flour, this mochi has a unique texture, with a roasted surface on both sides and a smooth red bean paste filling. Unlike Akafuku, where the bean paste is on the outside, Henba Mochi has the paste inside, resembling a grilled daifuku. It was named "Henba Mochi" because it was served at a ferry station near the Miyagawa River, where travelers would return their horses. I enjoyed it at the Oharaimachi branch of Henbaya, which has a second-floor eat-in area.

Oharaimachi also features a Starbucks with an Ise-inspired design, which I found charming. As a fan of concept Starbucks, I made sure to stop by.

Afterward, I returned to Nagoya by train and stayed at Chisun Inn Nagoya. This hotel is popular among business travelers and solo guests. A single room costs around 5,000 yen, offering basic amenities. The location is convenient, with a nearby convenience store and easy access to Nagoya Station's underground food market, making it ideal for buying takeout meals. The hotel also has a microwave in the hallway.

Day 2
I headed to Nabana no Sato. While the main attraction was the illuminations, the vast 300,000-square-meter grounds also featured beautiful cherry blossoms and tulips during this season. Additionally, there is a natural hot spring called "Nagashima Onsen Sato no Yu" and eight restaurants offering Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, allowing for a leisurely visit. It took about an hour to get there from Nagoya by train and bus. Cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and although daffodils and plum blossoms were nearing their end, a few remained. The nighttime light-up was extensive and impressive.

I spent the day enjoying the flowers, dining, soaking in the hot spring (for an additional fee), and admiring the illuminations. Afterward, I returned to Nagoya Station, picked up my luggage from the hotel, and enjoyed kishimen noodles on the Shinkansen platform before heading home.

Transportation
Nagoya Station is conveniently located for accessing both Ise Jingu and Nabana no Sato. Public transportation, including trains and buses, is well-developed, making travel hassle-free. However, parking at Ise Jingu can be challenging if traveling by car.

Accommodation
Hotels around Nagoya can be expensive, but Chisun Inn Nagoya offers affordable single rooms for around 5,000 yen. The rooms are basic but include essentials like a TV and bathroom. The location is convenient, with a nearby convenience store and easy access to Nagoya Station's underground food market.

Instagram-Worthy Spots
The cherry blossoms at Nabana no Sato were in full bloom and stunning. The illuminations were also beautiful.