Page 245 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

A TOUR OF
ISE PENINSULA WESTERN HONSHU

Ise
Peninsula
Distance 70 miles (110 km) Stopping-off points Goza
Beach, Futamigaura Beach, Kashikojima Difficulty The
area has excellent bus and train services
On this tour, you’ll take in the peninsula’s main sites, including Locator Map
the city of Ise, its Grand Shrine – the most sacred in Japan – and For more detail see p212
the Ise-Shima National Park, as well as off-the-beaten track gems,
from the jagged coast, where cultured oyster pearls are grown, 0 kilometers 5 N
to the undulating evergreen-clad hills inland – the habitat of
monkeys, wild boars, and flying squirrels. 0 miles 5
Female divers can be
seen collecting sea-
weed and sea urchins
at the Mikimoto Pearl
At Futamigaura Beach
two rocks called the Meoto Island, just offshore
from the town of Toba.
Iwa (wedded rocks) are
connected by a sacred rope.
Reconstructed every 20 Toshi
years in accordance with Futamigaura Island
Shinto principles of purity Beach
and renewal, Ise’s shrines Funae Futamicho Mikimoto
are in two main groups: Pearl Island
Suga
the Ge-ku (outer shrine) Uraguchi Ise Kurosecho Island
and Nai-ku (inner shrine) Toba
Asama
Ise Shrines Mount Asama Toba Bay
START
FINISH
Iwakuracho
A good route back on Matsuocho
a clear day, this road
goes over the summit
of Mount Asama, Gochi
with views of
the peninsula.
Osatsucho
Isobe
Matoya Bay
Gonkashura
INSIDER TIP
Tips for Konsa
Travelers Agocho Kou
Rather than driving, Hiyamaji Shima
take the train or bus on Nanabari
this tour. Buses and Kashikojima
trains run between Hamajima
almost every town on Daicho
the peninsula. There Ago Bay Nakiri
are also some train links Goza
from Fukuoka – allow Daicho
Funakoshi
more time for these. Shimacho
Koshika
Kashikojima is one
of the peninsula’s
best resort areas.
The most popular stretch of sand on the Take a boat trip past
peninsula, Goza Beach can be reached scenic islets, and
by road or by boat from Kashikojima. oyster rafts.
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