Ise Shima. One of Japan’s Best Kept Secrets Outside of Japan
Ise Shima is located in the middle of Japan Honshu island, in Mie Prefecture near very well-know cities Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Nagoya.
While Ise Shima is one of the best-known tourist sites in Japan and is very popular with the Japanese people throughout the year, Ise Shima is not very well known outside of Japan. As one of Japan’s least known tourist destinations outside of Japan, Ise Shima is one of Japan’s most affordable, quietest and out-of-the-way destinations for the hardiest of travellers.
Ise Shima Is the Birthplace of Cultured Pearls
In the late 19th Century, Akoya oysters were first cultivated in Ise Shima, establishing a self-sustaining method to harvest beautiful round pearls year after year. These practices set an international standard, contributing to the growth of the pearl industry worldwide.
In addition to pearl cultivation, Ise Shima supports harvesting, cleaning, processing, grading and crafting, all of which are still done locally and by hand. This grand tradition of the Japanese pearl industry is alive and well, founded and remains in Ise Shima, Japan.
Ise Shima. Home of Ama Women Divers – 海女
Female Divers known as Ama, are free divers who catch seafood without oxygen tanks. Many assume that Ama Women Divers harvest Akoya pearls, but in fact, they are experts at harvesting seafood like abalone, lobster, sea urchins, turban shells and seaweed. Ama Women Diver tools have been found in Ise Shima, some of which are dated to as far back as 3000 BCE, suggesting the Ama Women Diving tradition is at least 5000 years old.
What is known for sure, Ama Women Divers have inhabited the Ise Shima region since ancient times. These women would have been the first to find naturally grown Akoya Pearls, long before pearl cultivation was understood. It is thanks to their contributions that Ise Shima later established a method to create sustainably cultivated, beautiful round pearls for the first time in the world.
The Soul of Japan – Ise Shrine 伊勢神宮
The Japanese people continue to worship the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu Oomi Kami 天照大御神, legendary founder of Japan and original ancestor of the Japanese Emperor, who resides at Ise Shrine.
In terms of size and context, Ise Shrine is almost the same size as Paris, France with 2000 years of history. Just as Vatican City is for Catholics, Ise Shrine is similar for the Japanese people. Each year, Ise Shrine conducts 1500 rituals and ceremonies. People from all over Japan, including Japan’s Prime Minister and Royal Family, visit Ise Shrine annually.
What Makes Ise Shrine Unique and Forever Young 常若
Known as Shikinen Sengu 式年遷宮, Ise Shrine is pulled down, dismantled and built every 20 years again just next to the original site. Not only the shrine but all sacred furnishings and treasures inside are renewed every 20 years. This 20-year ritual consists of about 30 sacred rites and ceremonies beginning with the cutting of the first trees for the new shrine. The whole process is carried out within the confines of Ise Shrine and takes about 8 years to conduct all rituals and events for Shikinen Sengu.
Your Next Destination – Ise Shima 伊勢志摩
If you want to experience history, culture, good scenery and, of course, some of Japan’s finest cuisine, Ise Shima can provide it all. IK Chin Travel is organising an Ise Shima Package Tour for the first time in Singapore. The Pearl FALCO Team is excited to make this most memorable tour possible for our valued customers in Singapore. We look forward to having you visit Ise Shima with us!
Ise Shima Signature Food
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