Ise Grand Shrine and Mikimoto Pearl Island

Visit the museums on Mikimoto Pearl Island to see some of the priceless crown jewels, featuring over 18,000 pearls and many other precious stones. Watch the “Ama Divers” hard won treasures from the sea (women pearl divers) demonstrate this long-held traditional occupation and way of life.

Visit to the Ise Grand Shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. First built in 4 BC when Princess Yamatohine followed her instructions and became the shrine’s first priestess (saio), beginning a long tradition of emperor’s daughters taking on the role. The buildings were erected in the 7th century and are rebuilt every 20 years using thousands of 400 year old cypress trees.