Nagoya to Izumo | Model Itinerary

Model Itinerary

Nagoya to Izumo (departing from Kansai): Roots of the Japanese Story—Sunrise in Ise and Sunset in Izumo (3 days, 2 nights)

Shinto myth says that Izumo Taisha Shrine’s Okuninushi ceded Japan to Amaterasu, who is enshrined at Ise Jingu Shrine and regarded as the ancestral guardian deity of the Japanese people. This tour takes in shrines dedicated to these deities and gives visitors a feel for the legendary beginnings of Japan.

Start

DAY 1

9:00 Arrival at Chubu Centrair International Airport
Train, bus (2 hr. 40 min.)
Ise Jingu Shrine: Geku Outer Shrine

A shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, worshiped as the ancestral guardian deity of the Japanese people. Ise Jingu Shrine is thought of as the nation’s spiritual home.
Walk
Visit Naiku Inner Shrine （2 hr. 30 min. *Lunch included）
Okage Yokocho

Recreation of the architecture seen along the Iseji Route from the Edo to Meiji periods (17th to early 20th centuries), when pilgrimages to Ise Jingu Shrine were particularly popular. There are over 50 stores along the street.
Spend the night in Ise City

DAY 2

Uji Bridge (Sunrise)

View the sacred sunrise at Ise Jingu Shrine. The sun goddess Amaterasu is said to preside over daytime in Japan.

Sunrise time: 4:40 am to 7:00 am (Alternative: Meoto-iwa Rocks)
Walk
Train, bus (2 hr. 40 min.)
10:10 Chubu Centrair International Airport
Airplane (50 min.)
12:05 Izumo Airport
Train, bus (70 min.)
13:10 Susa Shrine (Lunch, 90 min.)

A shrine dedicated to Susanoo, a deity known for defeating the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi in Shinto mythology. Across from it, the Amaterasu Shrine is dedicated to the sun goddess.
Taxi
15:40 Shinmon-dori Street (30 min.)

The approach from the otorii Äi0shrine gate at Uga Bridge to the main gate of Izumo Taisha Shrine. There are over 70 stores along the street, including restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops.
Walk
Izumo Taisha Shrine (60 min.)

The Shinto deity Amaterasu is said to have built Izumo Taisha Shrine in exchange for Okuninushi handing over the land of Japan to her. The shrine is said to have been 48 meters high back then. More recently, pillars that may support this story have been excavated at the shrine precincts.
Inasa Beach (Sunset)

The beach where Shinto myth says Okuninushi met the sun goddess’s emissary Takemikazuchi, and the land of Japan changed hands. The sunset viewed from here has been declared part of “Izumo, the Sacred Land of the Setting Sun,” a Japanese Heritage.

Sunset time: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
17:30 Taxi
Spend the night in Izumo City