[2025 Ise Attraction] Travel Guide for Oharai-machi (Updated Jun)

Store name: Starbucks Coffee Ise Naikumae Store Address: 37-4 Nakaga Shuraku, Imazaike-cho, Uji, Ise City, Mie Prefecture Budget per person: 350 yen and up Rating (out of 5): ★★★★★ Points: It is a wooden building located in Oharai-machi that blends in with the surrounding atmosphere. The logo on the wall is very cute♡ You can see the Ise cityscape from the seats on the second floor, and you can spend a little luxurious Starbucks time. The opening hours are shorter than normal Starbucks stores to match the surrounding stores, so please be careful when you visit! #FashionableStarbucks #Gourmet #PhotogenicSpot #Ise#IseTrip#IseJingu #RecommendedAlsoForRainyDays #QuintessaCampaign

If you go to Ise and don't eat Akafuku, it's like you haven't really entered this ancient place of faith. This Japanese confectionery, founded in 1707, is made of glutinous rice balls wrapped in hand-embossed red bean paste. It looks like the waves of the Isuzu River in Ise Jingu Shrine. It tastes sweet but not greasy, smooth and dense, and every bite is like a gentle bloom in your mouth. I chose to eat it in the main store in Ise, with a cup of hot tea. Outside the window is the ancient "おはらい町東", and the overall atmosphere is quiet and nostalgic. Akafuku has a short shelf life and cannot be preserved for a long time, which also makes it one of the memories of Ise that "you can only understand it when you eat it on the spot". 📍Check in at: Akafuku Main Store (26 Uji Nakanokiri-cho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture) --- #Must-eat in Ise #Akafuku #Japanese confectionery #Ise Jingu #Akafuku Main Store #Japanese specialty #Mie cuisine #Old-fashioned dessert #Japanese dessert #Eat in Ise #Great places to go in May 2025

Stepping out of Ise Jingu, you’ll find yourself in the charming and traditional Oharaimachi. This ancient purification town, connecting the shrine to Okage Yokocho, is also known as "Oharae," symbolizing cleansing and purification. Walking through its streets feels like entering a beautiful ancient festival. The cobblestone streets are lined with red-tiled wooden buildings, adorned with bells and Japanese lanterns hanging under the eaves. Despite modern electric lighting, the area retains a nostalgic Showa-era warmth. Here, you’ll find shops selling lucky charms and ema (wooden prayer plaques), as well as craft stores offering handmade goods made from Japanese paper and small fabric dolls—a treasure trove for exploring Shinto culture. 📍Location: Oharaimachi Address: Ujinakanokiricho to Honmachi Street, Ise City, Mie Prefecture

#springitinerary Oharai-machi was a delightful discovery! This historic town, nestled in front of Ise Jingu's iconic torii gate, charmed me with its stone-paved streets and retro atmosphere. I strolled along the picturesque Isuzu River, exploring souvenir shops and restaurants. The Seko alley led me to a serene riverside spot. After visiting the shrine, wandering Oharai-machi was the perfect way to soak up the local culture. Its unique blend of history, charm, and natural beauty made for a memorable experience. A must-visit destination in Ise, Japan.

#Spring0yentrip "Oharaimachi in Ise is a historic and atmospheric area that you should stop by when you visit Ise Jingu. It is especially popular with tourists, and you can enjoy the good old townscape. It is a perfect spot to stroll around before or after visiting Ise Jingu. 🏘️ Historic townscape Oharaimachi has flourished as a town that has continued since the Edo period to welcome visitors to Ise Jingu. Therefore, you can enjoy the atmosphere of old Japan with old-fashioned shopping streets and tasteful buildings lined up. The streets lined with wooden houses and townscapes make you feel like you have traveled back in time. There are also long-established Japanese confectionery shops such as "Akafuku", which is the symbol of the town, making it a great place to look for souvenirs. 🍡 Food and souvenirs Walking down the streets of Oharaimachi, you will find a row of shops where you can enjoy local specialties. Particularly famous are "Akafuku" and "Ise udon", where you can enjoy the unique taste of Ise. The lightly sweet "Akafuku Mochi" is a must-try delicacy when you visit. In addition, there are many shops selling local specialties, making it a great place to find a small souvenir. 🌿 Relaxation spot before and after visiting Oharai-machi Oharai-machi is also famous as a relaxation spot after visiting Ise Jingu. You can calm your mind while strolling slowly. Combined with the pure atmosphere of the shrine, walking through the townscape calms your mind and makes you feel as if you are refreshing both body and mind. 📸 Tips for photography In Oharai-machi, it is common to take photos with the old townscape in the background. The scenery with lanterns and street lights lit at dusk is also beautiful and photogenic. Also, if you take a photo of people walking on the road leading to Ise Jingu as your partner, you can take a photo full of emotion, so please try it. 📍 Access Information 📍 Location: Uji Nakanokiri-cho (Oharai-cho), Ise City 🚆 Access: About 15 minutes by bus from "Ise-shi Station", within walking distance of "Ise Jingu Naiku" 🕒 Best time to visit: Go early in the morning or in the evening, or when there are fewer crowds, so you can enjoy sightseeing at your own pace. Ise's Oharai-cho is a fascinating spot where history and modernity intersect, so be sure to stop by when you visit Ise Jingu and enjoy a heartwarming moment💫.

#FuriTabi This time, I'd like to introduce Ise Udon Okunoya, located in Oharai-machi, Ise Shrine! Atmosphere/Facilities: Beautiful traditional building! There are tables inside. I went during the busy season, so I had to wait about 45 minutes. Recommended points: The smooth texture, soft texture, and sweet and spicy sauce are exquisite. The green onions were a nice accent. It was delicious! The portion size is a little small, so it won't get in the way of eating while walking around. The third photo is the view just behind this udon restaurant. The river was calm and beautiful! Rating: ⭐⭐ 📍Address: 18 Uji Imazaike-cho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture 516-0024 💰Price per person: 1,000-2,000 yen

**Oharai-machi**, located near the entrance to the famous **Ise Grand Shrine** in **Mie Prefecture**, is a charming, historical street that allows visitors to step back in time. Lined with Edo-period style buildings, this bustling area has been a favorite for travelers and pilgrims for centuries. As you stroll through the district, you’ll feel the rich cultural heritage that remains alive today. ### **History and Highlights** Oharai-machi once served as the main thoroughfare for pilgrims visiting the Ise Shrine, Japan's most sacred Shinto site. This historical pathway is filled with traditional wooden buildings, shops, and eateries that offer a glimpse into Japan's past. The town's proximity to the shrine made it a thriving center for commerce and hospitality, and many of the structures retain their classic Edo-period architecture, creating an authentic and timeless atmosphere. A must-see in Oharai-machi is the **Okage Yokocho**, a small district within the area that replicates a traditional Edo-era village. Here, you can explore numerous shops selling local crafts, snacks, and souvenirs, all while soaking in the nostalgic vibes of old Japan. ### **Tips for Your Visit:** - **Time your visit** with a stop at **Ise Grand Shrine** to experience one of Japan’s most sacred places. - **Explore on foot** to fully enjoy the intricate details of the old-fashioned wooden architecture and traditional lanterns. - Try **local food specialties** like **Ise udon**, a soft, thick noodle dish served in a rich soy-based sauce, and **Akafuku mochi**, a famous sweet made from red bean paste and mochi that has been served in the region for over 300 years. - Don’t forget to pick up some **handmade crafts** and traditional souvenirs to take home a piece of this historical district. Oharai-machi offers a peaceful yet lively experience, where the past blends seamlessly with the present, making it a perfect day trip for those visiting the Ise Shrine. #OharaiMachi #IseShrine #EdoEraVibes #JapanHeritage #OkageYokocho #IseUdon #AkafukuMochi #JapanTravel #CulturalJourney #ExploreMie #HistoricJapan #100waysoftravel

Visit the Shinto shrine land, stop by to eat Ise shrimp 🦞 In Ise City (Ise), Mie Prefecture, Kansai Region . Ise (伊勢) is a fishing town that everyone may be familiar with from the name of Ise Shrine (伊勢神宮), a famous tourist attraction in Mie Prefecture and the Kansai Region. In fact, this is also a city full of other Shinto shrines to the point that it has become a major pilgrimage area according to Japanese legend. And the highlight is the Ise Marriage Rocks of Mie, which are in the middle of the sea which is a landmark for couples and singles. In addition, this place is both a fishing town and a large peninsula (Iseshima), which in the peninsula will overlap 3 cities (Ise, Toba and Shima) making it a place with a lot of delicious food to stop by and try. . 📌 Recommended delicious food in Ise City ・Ise Ebi (Japanese lobster) ・Biyagura Craft Beer ・Matsusaka beef ・Tekone Sushi (rice marinated in vinegar and topped with fresh red fish) . 📌Recommended places to visit in Ise City ・Ise Grand Shrine ・Ujibashi Bridge ・Futamiokitama Shrine ・Sarutahiko Shrine ・Mie Wedding Rocks ・ISE Sea Paradise ・Oharai-machi Street ・Okage-yokocho Street . • Access: From Chubu Centrair Airport or Kansai Airport, the closest! Then take the train to Iseshi Station from both Osaka and Nagoya It takes the same amount of time, about 1 hour and a half.