Getting to Ise by train
From Tokyo
JRShinkansen Nozomi → Nagoya → KintetsuLtd. Expressapprox. 3 h
JRShinkansen Nozomi → Nagoya → Rapid Mieapprox. 3 h 10 min
At Nagoya, the Rapid Mie departs from the platform right next to the Shinkansen platforms.
Highway BusTokyo / Omiya → Ise-shi Sta. (overnight)approx. 10 h 45 min
Sanco Highway Bus: Toba–Tokyo/Omiya line → (Japanese)
From Hamamatsu & Toyohashi
JRShinkansen Hikari → Nagoya → KintetsuLtd. Expressapprox. 1 h 50 min
Only some Hikari trains stop here; on a Kodama, add about 15 minutes to Nagoya. From Toyohashi the trip is roughly 20 minutes shorter. Driving to Irago and taking the Ise Bay Ferry is the other way across.
From Nagoya
KintetsuLtd. Express → Ise-shi Sta. / Ujiyamada Sta.approx. 1 h 20 min
JRRapid Mie → Ise-shi Sta.approx. 1 h 30 min
From OsakaNamba
KintetsuLtd. Express → Ise-shi Sta. / Ujiyamada Sta.approx. 1 h 50 min
From Kyoto
KintetsuLtd. Express → Ise-shi Sta. / Ujiyamada Sta.approx. 2 h 10 min
Chubu Centrair AirportNGO
Meitetsu→ Nagoya → KintetsuLtd. Expressapprox. 2 h 10 min
Fast boatCentrair → Tsu Nagisamachi → Tsu Sta. → Kintetsu45 min at sea
Fast boatCentrair → Tsu Nagisamachi → Taxithe shrinesapprox. 1 h 45 min
The boat crosses the bay in 45 minutes instead of going around it. A local bus links Tsu Nagisamachi with Tsu Station in 12 minutes, and Kintetsu trains run from there to Ise. One way is ¥2,980 for adults and ¥1,490 for children; seats are limited so it works by reservation, though you can board if there is space. Tsu Airport Line → (Japanese)
JAL MaaS sells the boat together with an on-demand taxi from Tsu Nagisamachi, so you reach the shrines in about 60 minutes without changing again — about 1 h 10 min to Toba. Matsusaka and Shima are covered too. Sailings are limited, so check the timetable against your flight. JAL MaaS → (Japanese)
Kansai AirportKIX
Nankai/JR→ Namba → KintetsuLtd. Expressapprox. 3 h
Trains to Ise-Shima
One round trip a day each from Osaka-Namba, Kyoto and Kintetsu-Nagoya. Each skips one day a week: Tuesdays for Namba, Wednesdays for Kyoto and Thursdays for Nagoya.
A limited express linking Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya with Toba and Kashikojima. It also has salon seats for 3 to 4 people.
One Ise-Shima Liner train decorated with the Pokémon Oshawott. As with other limited expresses, you need a fare ticket and a limited express ticket.
A restaurant train that began running between Kintetsu-Nagoya and Kashikojima in November 2026. It is sold only as a tour package with a French meal; seats alone cannot be booked. Book at least 11 days before departure, and check the operating days on the booking site.
Rapid Mie (JR)
Runs from Nagoya to Ise-shi and Toba. As a rapid train, it needs no limited express ticket.
Model Pilgrimage Course
By long-standing custom, Ise Jingu is visited in order: Geku (Outer Shrine) first, then Naiku (Inner Shrine).
1Arrive at Ise-shi Station
Both Kintetsu and JR trains stop here. Kintetsu Ltd. Express trains run directly from Nagoya and Osaka.
↓ approx. 5 min walk
2Geku (Toyouke Daijingu)
Leave the station and walk straight down the approach road in front of you. No bus needed.
Time to allow: 30 min – 1 h
↓ approx. 10–20 min by bus
3Geku → Naiku (by bus)
Take a bus from Geku-mae bus stop to Naiku-mae bus stop. Several routes serve this section.
Route 51via Chokokan
17 min scheduled / more stops / frequent
Route 55via Chosha-mae
10 min scheduled / shortest route
Shinto Linerdirect
19 min scheduled / mainly weekends & holidays
Bus ride time and delays
FareAdult ¥520 / Child ¥260 (Routes 51 & 55)
Location of Geku-mae bus stop
↓
4Naiku (Kotai Jingu)
Time to allow: 1 h or more
After your visit, Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho next to the entrance are great for food and browsing.
↓ approx. 20 min by bus, or on foot
5Heading back
Buses from Naiku-mae bus stop return to Ise-shi Station.
Location of Naiku-mae bus stop
Bus ride time and delays
You can also return via Isuzugawa Station
Kintetsu Isuzugawa Station is served by Ltd. Express trains toward Osaka and Kyoto. When roads are congested and buses are running well behind schedule, heading to Isuzugawa Station can be faster than going back to Ise-shi Station.
Busapprox. 5 min on Route 51 (scheduled)
Walkapprox. 30–40 min (via Oharaimachi)
Isuzugawa Sta. → Naiku
Kintetsu Isuzugawa Station is served by Ltd. Express trains from the Osaka direction. It is closer to Naiku, so it is convenient if you are not visiting Geku first.
Busapprox. 5 min on Route 51 (scheduled)
Walkapprox. 40 min (via Oharaimachi)
Other ways to get there