How to Get There

Ise-Shima National Park blends natural beauty with storied history and spirituality. It is well-known as the home of Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s holiest sites. The park is located on the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture and can broadly be divided into a northern area with Ise Jingu and Toba, and a southern coastal area near Ago Bay. 

There are plentiful transportation options to the peninsula, including international and domestic flights to Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), outside Nagoya, the shinkansen, train, and boat. From the airport, connect to Ise-Shima National Park via high-speed boat and bus. From Cape Irago, ferries run by Isewan Ferry take 55 minutes to Toba. Get around by bus, train, ferry or private car to explore areas off the beaten path.

From Tokyo

Flights to Chubu Centrair International Airport, located on a man-made island outside Nagoya, depart from Haneda (60 min). Connect to Tsu-Nagisamachi on the Shima Peninsula via high-speed boat (45 min) and transfer to an express bus to Toba Bus Center with stops at Ise Jingu's Geku (Outer Shrine) and Naiku (Inner Shrine) (85–115 min). 

By train, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station (100 min) then transfer to a Kintetsu limited express train or a JR Mie rapid train. To reach the Geku of Ise Jingu, take either train to Iseshi Station (80-90 min) then walk to the shrine. Buses connect the Geku to the Naiku. To see the sacred Meotoiwa (wedded rocks), take the JR Sangu Line from Iseshi Station to Toba Station (10 min) and walk another 10 minutes. To reach Ago Bay in southern Shima Peninsula, take the Kintetsu limited express from Toba Station to Kashikojima Station (30 min) or the Kintetsu Shima Line from Iseshi Station to Kashikojima Station (45 min).

From Osaka

Kintetsu limited express trains conveniently link Osaka with Iseshi Station in under two hours; most trains continue to Toba and Kashikojima if you’d prefer to visit these locations first. For JR service, take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Osaka to Nagoya Station, then follow the directions above in the Tokyo section.

Getting Around

The Shima Peninsula has an excellent transportation network offering convenient access by bus, train or boat to most of the major sights. 

Train service is provided by JR and Kintetsu Railway around Iseshi and Toba stations, while Kashikojima Station in the south of the peninsula is accessible by the Kintetsu Railway. 

Mie Kotsu offers excellent bus service throughout the peninsula, including several “Michikusa” passes that allow unlimited rides on specific routes for one or two days. The CAN Bus is particularly useful, stopping at Iseshi Station, Ise Jingu Shrine and Meotoiwa. 

Toba Shietekisen operates ferries to several islands off the Shima Peninsula from Toba Marine Terminal, traveling to Sakatejima (10 min), Toushijima (15–25 min), Sugashima (15 min) and Kamishima (30–40 min). Ago Bay Liner runs boats from Kashikojima Port to the islands of Mazaki (10 min), Goza (25 min), Wagu (25 min) and Hamajima (35 min). 

Renting a car is also a smart option and offers greater access to hidden gems off the tourist trail. Take the Pearl Road for a scenic journey between the cities of Toba and Shima or the Iseshima Skyline for a panoramic view of Ise Bay.