One-day tour of Nagoya Ise Grand Shrine and Mikimoto Pearl Island

This tour is by GoGoDay. Meeting place is at Ministop Nagoya Station West (Google Map). It is the assembling place for all GoGoDay’s tours so need to ask the guides in order to join the correct group. That day, the tour for Ise was only 7 people so the vehicle used was a mini van. The driver doubled up as the guide. He was a careful driver but did not speak much except at the last destination (the wedded rocks). The first stop, the Ise Grand Shrine compound, is huge so it’s not advisable to cover the whole area. Unfortunately it was very crowded the day we visited as it was a public holiday. Similarly, Okage Yokocho was jam packed with people. Given the limited time and long queues, we did not manage to have lunch at any restaurants. Instead we walked around to shop and had street food. Make sure to try the eel skewers and not go on a public holiday. At second stop, we chose to go to Toba Aquarium which was excellent and fascinating. Nice to look at the sea at the Wedded Rocks.

It's a leisurely tour. We had plenty of time to explore. I enjoyed the serenity of the Ise shrine which is popular amongst the Japanese. The Mikimoto island is rather small and the only highlight is the pearl divers and they perform based on a fixed schedule. Apart from the demos, there are pearl museums that you can visit and shop to buy mikimoto pearl accessories. The pricing is steep. If you have time, which you most likely would have, you can visit the aquarium just next door, about 8-10 mins by foot and along the way there are many small shops selling pearls too. The aquarium is more enjoyable, and I spent most of my time there. Admission fee is required for both and they are not included as part of the package. The last shrine is scenic and we easily explore the entire place with 15-30mins. Do note that there's no guide for this tour. It's like a chartered minivan shared across a few people. The transport is comfy and new and the driver drives fast.

Ise Grand Shrine, a revered Shinto site, offers a tranquil atmosphere. The intricate architecture and the solemn ambiance are truly awe-inspiring. The Mikimoto Pearl Museum provides fascinating insights into the history and process of pearl cultivation. The stunning pearl displays are a sight to behold. We reached Futami Okitama Shrine which is famous for its "Meoto Iwa" (Wedded Rocks) while the sun was setting and the sight was amazing. The day trip was well-planned, covering the key destinations without any major hiccups. The driver was skilled and navigated the roads with ease, even in the rain. This day trip is perfect for independent travelers who have done their research and prefer a relaxed pace. The destinations are truly captivating, and the efficient itinerary allows for a fulfilling day. While self-guided tours offer flexibility, a brief introduction to each destination could provide valuable context and enrich the visit. I wouldn’t recommend this for those with mobility or health issues as there are extremely steep slopes to where the vehicle is parked. Do wear adequate warm clothing as the wind can be very strong at Futami Okitama Shrine.

This is a small tour group with only a driver but no tour guide. The driver will tell everyone what time to gather at each attraction, so you can do some research on your own before departure so that you have a better idea. You have to choose between Pearl Island and Toba Aquarium. I chose the aquarium, which has otters, penguins, sea lions and other animals. Although it is not big, it is very comfortable to visit. You can check the time of the animal performances and arrange a seat in advance.

good deals for travelers. round trip tickets with castle entrance tickets. will definitely recommend this one to other tourists! the castle is very nice maybe esp during Sakura bloom!

There aren't many tourists in the group tour, so it's a small, refined group. The entire itinerary is arranged rather tightly. Personally, I wish there was more time at Ise Grand Shrine. Overall, it's a very good trip and worth recommending 👍

Although there was no tour guide, the driver was very enthusiastic and funny. Although you have to choose between the aquarium and Pearl Island, you actually have enough time to go to both, and the two points are only three minutes away by foot. The Ama performance is worth watching, and the sea creatures in the aquarium are very lively and interactive. You need to do your homework in advance for Ise Shrine. The park is very large and you may need to plan in advance to make effective use of your time.

This is a small group of 9 people. There is no tour guide who will tell you what to visit nearby. It is better to do some homework beforehand. Ise Jingu Shrine is huge and there are shopping streets outside. 2 hours is not enough for shopping. The meeting time Pay more attention to the location!

It’s almost just better to drive the route yourself if you can afford to. If not this is a decently priced alternative compared to the exorbitant priced private tours - since Ise doesn’t have as high coverage in tourist guides. Mini bus and transfer is great. It’s a good range in the itinerary with a choice and detailed chinese itinerary provided to give background into the site. Actual guide/driver however, offered maybe a line about the site, some instructions and sent you on your merry way. Your money is mostly going towards the cost of having a driver rather than a guide. He was fast and got to each location quickly and on time but there’s also this constant pressure to return to the bus way earlier than scheduled since everyone else on the tour only seems interested in going to the places, taking a picture and then returning. If that’s the case, why not keep each stop short instead of making it 2 hours long? I’m glad there was something out there that took us go Ise but at the price point, you’d be better off driving yourself

This is a non-guided tour with transportation and driver provided. Itinerary is fine.