At a Glance
This itinerary is a perfect extension after Kumano Kodo walking tours. Kumano Kodo walk concludes in Kii-Katsuura.
Taste a world where every moment is a vivid tapestry of culture, spirituality, and luxury. Embark on an authentic 3-day curated journey through Japan’s enchanting Ise-Shima region, where authentic experiences and timeless traditions blend seamlessly. Experience a curated blend of captivating culture, exquisite cuisine, and profound spirituality while staying in a luxurious Japanese ryokan, Oyado The Earth. Discover Japan through the eyes of a local and create memories that resonate with deep, personal significance.
Your adventure begins in Kii-Katsuura, where a train ride from Kii-Katsuura to Kashikojima sets the stage for a magical sunset cruise on Ago Bay. The next day, a ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 2 nights’ accommodation at a luxury Japanese ryokan on a twin share basis
- Train ticket from Kii-Katsuura to Kashikojima on Day 1
- Ago Bay cruise
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Private tour of Ise Shima on Day 3
- All transfers as specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
The first day of the expedition begins on a spectacular note with a sunset cruise on Ago Bay. To arrive at the bay, board an afternoon train around 12:22 pm at Kii-Katsuura and ride for about 4 hours to Kashikojima just in time for the sunset at 5 pm. Once in Kashikojima, board a boat to cruise on the ocean around this island. As the boat sails on the calm waters, seize the moment to absorb mesmerising views of nature on the shores. The gorgeous white sands of beaches on the shores that complement the emerald waters are worth immortalising with a camera. Don't forget the backdrop of lush green vegetation on the shores, including the numerous other islets draped in greenery that jut from the waters. There is also a chance to see the site where pearls were first cultivated on the jagged coasts of this island while cruising. This cruise will last for approximately 50 minutes and encompasses the scenic allure of several islets in Ago Bay. |
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After the cruise, retreat via a transfer to your traditional Japanese Ryokan, Oyado The Earth, nestled within the serene Ise Shima National Park. Unwind in your ensuite room complete with a private open-air spring fed bath with ocean views. Alternatively, whisk away at the library maze where beverages await your indulgence or observe nature from the earth observatory deck. Come evening, be treated to a luscious dinner with ocean views and starry night skies. Dinner is a sumptuous Japanese Kaiseki, a harmonious dance of seasonal treasures from Ise-Shima and beyond. Each dish, a masterpiece, evolves with the rhythms of nature and the day's freshest catch, promising a culinary journey as vibrant and ever-changing as the seasons themselves. Ise-Shima is one of Japan's leading producers of spiny lobster (Ise-ebi) and the most famous Matsusaka Beef. |
Self guided walking: Approx. 16 km (10 miles), 3-5 hours walking Start your day with a delightful breakfast crafted by Chef Mototsugu Yamakawa, perfectly setting you up for the adventures ahead. At 9am, a private transfer takes you to Anorisaki Lighthouse, where your self-guided walking adventure begins. Wander at your own pace through the mesmerizing landscapes of Ise-Shima National Park, covering 16 km of stunning cliffs, pristine beaches, and the roaring Pacific waves. Along the way, discover the charming beaches of Ichigo and Natta-ono, frequented by Ama divers, and the colourful village of Kou, known for its protective podocarpus hedges. The trail occasionally leads you off the coast, offering glimpses into local life. As you approach Daiosaki Lighthouse, explore quaint restaurants, cafes, fish markets, and craft shops. |
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After completing the trail, enjoy a private transfer to Ama Hut for a unique BBQ seafood lunch. Listen to fascinating tales from the Ama divers while savouring deliciously smoky flavours. These “sea women” are divers known to free dive off the coasts of Japan for thousands of years. At lunch, you can interact with Ama divers, whose culture is registered as a Japan heritage. Optional extra: Diving Experience with Ama Diver. Return to your ryokan for another exquisite dinner. Unwind with a soothing spa treatment or sip on inventive cocktails at the bar maze. |
Rise early and savour a tranquil breakfast while enjoying the hotel’s serene ocean views one last time. Come 8:30am, a transfer whisks you to the Ise-Shima Skyline, leading to Mount Asama's summit. Here, soak in breathtaking vistas of dramatic capes, cliffs, sandy beaches, and azure waters. The lively streets of this peninsula are a cultural treasure trove with bustling stalls, shops, cafes, and markets, all within the beautiful Ise-Shima National Park. Immerse yourself in the spiritual heritage of Ise, a village adorned with sacred Shinto shrines. Among the 123 shrines, the Ise Grand Shrine, or Ise Jingu, stands out. This complex, dedicated to the goddess Amaterasu, includes the inner shrine Naiku, Japan's most sacred shrine, built with pure Cypress wood. Start your visit at the 100 km Uji Bridge over the Isuzugawa River, then explore the outer shrine Geku, dedicated to the food goddess Toyouke-Omikami. Next stroll through the quaint Okage Yokocho district. Wander through enchanting Edo-period streets and marvel at the intricate craftsmanship in the Ise Katana Museum. Indulge in local delicacies like Ise udon and akafuku mochi, shop for handcrafted treasures, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage with live traditional performances and seasonal festivals. This is a perfect spot to indulge in a delicious lunch savouring local flavours and delicacies. |
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Your shrine journey continues at Wedded Rocks (Meoto-iwa) standing sentinel against the crashing waves, at Futami Okitama Jinja shrine, a spectacular sight symbolizing prayers and purification. Feel the spiritual energy as you walk the sacred grounds, where purifying rituals and serene seaside views blend into an unforgettable experience of Japanese tradition. Your serene adventure ends with a transfer to Toba Station with heartfelt farewells and cherished memories. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Accommodation
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for group bookings. Prices displayed above are all "From" prices as individual prices may vary depending on the departure date. We will confirm the price once we know your preferred departure date.
More Info
- The departure point is Kii-Katsuura
- The finish point is Toba Station
- The closest airport toKii-Katsuura is Nanki-Shirahama Airport (SHM). It is located approximately 80 kilometers west ofKii-Katsuura and offers domestic flights, primarily connecting to Tokyo. From Nanki-Shirahama Airport, you can reach Nachikatsuura by a combination of bus and train or by renting a car for a scenic drive along the coast.
Ise-Shima, located in Mie Prefecture, Japan, enjoys a humid subtropical climate characterized by mild winters and warm, humid summers.
In spring, from March to May, temperatures are mild, ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). The season brings blooming flowers and generally pleasant weather, though rainfall can be moderate.
Summer, from June to August, is hot and humid, with temperatures climbing between 25°C and 35°C (77°F to 95°F). High humidity and frequent rain, particularly during the June-July rainy season, are typical features of this period.
Autumn, from September to November, sees warm temperatures gradually cooling down to between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F). The weather becomes more comfortable with clear skies and lower humidity, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities.
Winter, from December to February, is mild with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). The season is generally dry, though occasional cold spells can occur. Ise-Shima is also susceptible to typhoons during late summer and early autumn, which can bring heavy rain and strong winds.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.