Okage Yokocho
A temple town where one expresses gratitude for divine blessings, concluding a pilgrimage to Ise Shrine.
Okage Yokocho is located in the middle of Oharaimachi, a 5-minute walk from Uji Bridge at the Inner Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine. The landmark is the permanent lantern lit at the entrance. With no fences or walls, this alleyway is open to the public and is lined with more than 50 shops.
The name of this alley originates from the "Okage-mairi" pilgrimage, which was extremely popular during the Edo period. In an era when free travel was still difficult, it is said that millions of people flocked to Ise in just 50 days. The gratitude of the people of Ise, who warmly welcomed these travelers, is still very much alive in this alley today. On a site of approximately 4,000 tsubo (about 13,200 square meters), the streetscape of the time, when the Okage-mairi pilgrimage was in full swing, has been recreated. You can purchase local cuisine using local ingredients and Ise souvenirs made by artisans, and there are also daily events where you can experience traditional culture, such as kamishibai (picture-story show) performances and live performances of Shinon Taiko drums. At the "Tsuitachi Asaichi" (First Day Morning Market) held on the 1st of every month, it is bustling from early morning with people celebrating the start of the new month. As a culmination of your pilgrimage to Ise, spend a moment feeling the life and culture of Ise firsthand.
52 Ujinakanokiri-cho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture 516-8558
・View website
・1 minute walk from the Jingu Kaikan bus stop
・5-minute walk from the municipal Uji parking lot