■Overview
After your guide meets you at Nagoya station, you will travel by train and local bus to the Grand Shrine of Ise, the most important shrine in Japan. After enjoying lunch in the historic districts of Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho that lead up to the shrine, you will visit the shrine itself, a solemn and sacred destination for pilgrims with more than 2,000 years of history. There, you can witness a kagura, a dance dedicated to the gods.

Next, let’s get you checked into your accommodations for the night, one that dates back over 200 years. Here, you will have some time to learn more from your guide about the Iseji route, which is one of the many ancient traditional pilgrimage routes of the Kumano Kodo that weave through the sacred Kii Peninsula. For a special treat following the multi-course Japanese dinner, locals will teach you the Ise Ondo, perhaps the most famous folk song and dance in Japan, which generations of pilgrims returning home from Ise Shrine have called the easiest souvenir to carry.

■Detailed Information
9:00 Meet the guide at Nagoya Station, and start the pilgrimage journey.
9:50 Transfer from Nagoya to Ise using public transportation (Kintetsu Railway or JR).
11:00 Arrival at Iseshi Station, visit Ise Jingu (including a Shinto ritual: Kagura dance).
15:00 Walk to the accommodation.
16:00 Check in at the accommodation.
17:30 Dinner at the accommodation.
19:00 Experience the Ise Ondo Dance.

■Overview
You can enjoy a walk among the otherworldly natural architecture here in the evening or early morning.
On this day, an early breakfast greets you before your hike to the Hadasu-Obuki-toge Pass and Matsumoto-toge Pass, which is considered to be a bit challenging section of the Iseji route. The stunning view from the top, however, makes the climb well worth it. While you’re up here, replenish your energy with a bento lunch while you soak in the scenery.

■Detailed Information
8:00 Check out of the accommodation, then transfer to Atashika Station by private vehicle.
8:30 Pick up a bento box at a cafe in Atashika.
8:45 Meet with the local guide at Atashika Station.
9:00 Total hiking: From Atashika to Hadasu/Obuki-toge Passes, then to Matsumoto-toge Pass (halfway), and finally to Onigajo (7.4 km, 6–7 hrs including lunch).
17:00 Walk to the accommodation, check in, and have dinner at the accommodation.

■Overview
A private vehicle will take you to Fudarakusanji Temple to listen to the fascinating stories of the monks’ attempts to reach a land of paradise they believed was to the south and hear about a mandala painting by a Buddhist nun. After that, the final trail of the Iseji route will take you to Nachi Falls. By now, your journey from Ise will have allowed you to immerse yourself in the rich and varied spiritual beliefs of this magical land. Perhaps you are now even able to clearly sense the presence of invisible beings. Take a step further into nature here to where the gods dwell. You can offer them your prayers at Nachi Falls, Seigantoji Temple and Nachi Taisha Shrine. This brings the Kumano Kodo Iseji to an end. Next, you will be transferring to a beautiful resort in Shirahama, where you can enjoy soaking in an onsen (natural hot spring)!

■Detailed Information
8:00 Check out and meet the guide at the accommodation, then transfer to Fudarakusanji Temple by private vehicle.
8:30 Arrival at Fudarakusanji Temple.
9:00 Transfer by private vehicle to Daimonzaka, then walk to Kumano Nachi Taisha.
10:30 Arrival at Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Falls (World Heritage).
12:30 Lunch ay a local restaurant.
13:30 Take a private vehicle to Hashikuiiwa.
14:30 Arrival at Hashikuiiwa, then transfer to Shirahama.
16:30 Arrival at the accommodation, followed by check-in.