Ise Jingu's Naiku (Inner Shrine) is the most sacred site in Shinto, enshrining the sun goddess Amaterasu-Omikami for over 2,000 years. Your private guide leads you across the Uji Bridge spanning the Isuzu River and along tranquil, cedar-lined gravel paths to the inner sanctuary, sharing stories of the shrine's history and the tradition of ceremonially rebuilding the buildings every 20 years.

Ise Jingu's Geku (Outer Shrine), dedicated to Toyouke-Omikami, the deity of food, clothing, and shelter, is traditionally visited before the Inner Shrine. Your guide walks you through the serene forested grounds and explains the daily sacred food offering ritual that has continued for some 1,500 years.

Oharaimachi is the charming, stone-paved approach leading to the Inner Shrine, lined with Edo-period style wooden machiya housing shops, teahouses, and restaurants. Stroll with your guide past traditional storefronts and sample local specialties such as Ise udon and freshly grilled seafood.

At the heart of Oharaimachi, Okage Yokocho recreates the lively atmosphere of an Edo- to Meiji-era townscape. Wander the nostalgic lanes with your guide, browsing local crafts and snacks and soaking up the festive mood that has welcomed Ise pilgrims for centuries.

Futami Okitama Shrine sits on the Futami coast and is famous for the Meoto Iwa, or Married Couple Rocks, two sacred rocks joined by a heavy shimenawa rope symbolizing the union of husband and wife. Your guide shares the legend behind this iconic landmark and points out the shrine's many frog statues, symbols of safe return and good fortune.

Sarutahiko Shrine enshrines Sarutahiko-no-Okami, the deity of guidance and good direction, making it a popular stop for travelers seeking a smooth path ahead. Your guide explains its associations with new beginnings and points out the unique compass-patterned stone within the grounds.

Mikimoto Pearl Island in nearby Toba is the birthplace of cultured pearls, where Kokichi Mikimoto first succeeded in culturing them in 1893. With your guide you can watch a live demonstration by the famed female ama pearl divers and explore the museum tracing the history of pearl cultivation.

Tsukiyomi-no-miya is one of Ise Jingu's important auxiliary shrines, dedicated to Tsukuyomi, the moon deity and sibling of the sun goddess Amaterasu. Set in a quiet grove away from the crowds, it offers a serene atmosphere where your guide explains its place within the wider Ise Jingu complex.