Okage Yokocho, Mie | Japan is Nippon

A lane recreating the Edo-to-Meiji streets of Ise by the Inner Shrine. Snack on Ise udon and local sweets and soak up the mood of an old Ise pilgrimage.

A stone-paved lane of Okage Yokocho lined with wooden stalls and paper lanterns — Photo: Brakeet, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A bowl of thick Ise udon noodles in dark sauce served at a shop in Okage Yokocho — Photo: imgdive, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A lane that brings the old pilgrims' town back to life

Okage Yokocho is a corner in the middle of Oharai-machi, the monzen-machi (shrine-front town) outside the Naiku, the Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu, in Ise City, Mie Prefecture. Typical buildings from the Ise-ji (the roads leading to Ise) of the late Edo to early Meiji periods were moved here or recreated to rebuild the streetscape of that time.

In the Edo period, okage-mairi, mass pilgrimages to Ise Jingu by huge numbers of people from all over Japan, were hugely popular. The name Okage Yokocho comes from okage-mairi and from okagesama (a word expressing gratitude), in thanks for being able to stay in business for so many years.

The project was led by the company behind Akafuku, a rice-cake sweet famous in Ise, and was completed in July 1993. It is run by Isefuku Co., Ltd., part of the Akafuku group.

Eating on the go and shopping

The lane is lined with Japanese restaurants, kanmidokoro (shops serving Japanese sweets and desserts), cafés, and shops selling local specialities, souvenirs and folk crafts. Some places serve Ise udon, the local speciality.

Events are held all year round, including festivals and markets unique to Ise, taiko drum performances and folk-tale storytelling. In September there is also the Kurufuku Maneki-neko Festival, themed on maneki-neko (beckoning cats).

July 2026: the hands-on museum Okage Yashiki opens

Okage-za, the exhibition facility inside the lane, was renovated and reopened on 3 July 2026 as Okage Yashiki, a hands-on museum. Its exhibits combine digital technology with traditional culture, letting you learn by experience about seasonal life in Japan, Ise culture, and the spirit of gratitude and hospitality.

Okage Yashiki requires advance booking and purchase through its official booking site. Once you know when you are going, book early. Check the official website for prices and times.

Getting there

It is about a 5-minute walk from the Uji Bridge at the entrance to the Inner Shrine. By train, take a bus from Ujiyamada Station or Iseshi Station (Kintetsu and JR) to the Jingu Kaikan-mae bus stop; the lane is right by the stop (about 20 minutes from Ujiyamada Station).

Entry to the lane is free and it has no regular closing days. Opening hours of individual shops change with the season, so check the official website.

Tips

It is only about a 5-minute walk from the Inner Shrine's Uji Bridge, so you can combine it with your visit to the Inner Shrine.
The official website shows how crowded the lane is in real time.
If you come by car, there are paid municipal car parks nearby.