1 Day Trip to Ise City

Took 2 and half hours train from Osaka to Ise city. According to Ise City Tourist Association website, Ise is city of kami (God) with Ise shrine (history of over 2,000 years) owning 1/3 of forestland. Shrines are everywhere in Ise city and the architecture are so different than other cities; modern looking, simplistic and clean. 

When we brought the tickets at Osaka, we noticed that there are cheaper option available at the JR counter and included the bus tickets (You will take bus most of the time to travel around the city and each boarding cost 200 yen) but need to buy in advance. So we spent more money instead on transportation. 

As we visited each shrines, we realised that there were police vehicles and polices all around to the point that there were more policies than tourists! S explained that since Obama is coming to Ise-summit (not at Ise City though, at the end of Ise (secluded island) but the security was so strict even when the summit is 2-3 weeks away. There were undercover polices (as couple, as tourists) walking all around and even police that disguised at cab drivers. Anyone that was loitering alone, looked suspicious was stopped and questioned by them.

Tsukiyomi Shrine

made one calm and peaceful

Ise shrine Geku 

Sarutahiko shrine

Famous Akafuku mochi (Red bean mochi) Everyone was buying by boxes.

The tea house which we had the mochi

Okage Yokocho street

even family mart adapted to suit the environment!

Ise traditional udon, said the be flatter and softer than normal ones. S did not like much but he love the sashimi don

My set! 

The restaurant we had our lunch

Ise shrine Naiku

Inner of Ise shrine Naiku

Police were everywhere! More than tourists!

Tsukiyomi shrine

Ise ebi (Shrimp) koroge