I recently headed to Ise with a friend for a quick getaway, with the grand finale being “Shima Spain Village” on day two. But let me tell you—from the moment we arrived until the very last second, every part of the trip was so incredible that I genuinely regretted only booking one night!
From the sacred, serene atmosphere of Ise Jingu to the wonders of Toba Aquarium and the vibrant energy of Shima Spain Village, we raced through an itinerary so packed with joy that time simply vanished. If you’re looking for a side of Japan that offers tradition, nature, and pure fun all in one go, this is it. Here is our “too short but totally worth it” 1-night, 2-day adventure in Ise-Shima!
Day 1
Hacking Ise-Shima with the “Mawaryanse” Pass
Before we started our journey, we grabbed the ultimate ‘cheat code’ for Ise-Shima: the Kintetsu Mawaryanse Pass.
Even for our short 1-night, 2-day trip, this pass paid for itself and made our travel incredibly smooth!
Why you absolutely need this pass:
- Round-trip Limited Express included: It covers your comfortable train ride from Nagoya, Osaka, or Kyoto.
- Unlimited local transport: Free rides on all Kintetsu trains, buses, and even sightseeing boats in the Ise-Shima area.
- Free admission to major attractions (The Best Part!): Entry fees for Toba Aquarium and Shima Spain Village are already included. You save so much money!
If you’re staying for 2 or more nights, it’s a no-brainer. But even for a ‘bullet trip’ like ours, it’s worth it just for the convenience.
No more fumbling with tickets—just show your pass and go!
The “Overcooked” Udon Scandal? (A Funny Food Fail)
For lunch, we stopped at Iwatoya in the charming Okage-yokocho street. We ordered the famous Ise Udon, but as soon as we took a bite, my friend and I looked at each other and whispered…
‘Wait… is this overcooked? Maybe the kitchen was too busy?’ 😂
Coming from a world where ‘al dente’ and firm noodles are the standard, the soft, fluffy texture of Ise Udon was a total shock! We genuinely thought it was a cooking mistake.
The Truth: Later, we found out that Ise Udon is supposed to be that soft! It’s traditionally boiled for about an hour to make it easy to digest for tired pilgrims. Once we knew the history, that chewy, unique texture became a fond memory.
It was surprisingly delicious with the sweet, dark soy sauce! My family had a great laugh when I told them this story later.
Ise Jingu & The “Speed Walking” Incident
Ise Jingu was absolutely breathtaking—and incredibly crowded! One thing I didn’t realize until I got there: this place is HUGE. You will do a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must.
Why we ended up “Sprinting” through Okage-yokocho
After paying our respects at the shrine, we realized we were running late for our next stop, the Toba Aquarium.
This led to a tragedy: we had to ‘speed walk’ through Okage-yokocho, the beautiful traditional shopping street right outside the shrine.
I saw the famous Akafuku (mochi with red bean paste) and so many delicious-looking street foods, but we could only catch glimpses of them as we dashed past. 🫠 I realized too late that this area easily deserves at least half a day on its own!
Toba Aquarium – Meeting the Last Two Sea Otters in Japan
The highlight of my Ise trip was finally visiting Toba Aquarium.
I’m such a fan of sea otters that I often watch their YouTube livestreams while I’m working just to feel relaxed.
Finally seeing them in person was a dream come true!🦦
A Rare Experience:
Did you know that there are only two sea otters left in all of Japan? Their names are Mei and Kira, and they both live right here at Toba Aquarium. They are elderly ladies now, so being able to see them active and healthy is a truly precious and rare experience. Watching them eat and play was pure healing for my soul!
Of course, the aquarium has so much more to offer beyond the otters. It’s huge! I realized once again that we didn’t give ourselves enough time.
If you want to explore every zone without rushing, I highly recommend dedicating at least half a day here.
Don’t Give Up! My Secret Strategy for the Crowded Otter Tank
When we finally reached the sea otter tank, my heart sank.
It was unbelievably crowded! Since both my friend and I are on the shorter side, we couldn’t see a single whisker through the wall of people.
‘Did we come all this way for nothing?’ I felt a moment of despair.
But we weren’t ready to give up. We came up with a bold plan: The Last-Minute Strategy.
We immediately called our hotel to push back our check-in time and decided to stay at the aquarium until the very last moment before closing.
A Sunset Miracle: Seeing the “Health Check” Up Close
Our strategy paid off big time! As the closing bell neared, the crowds vanished like magic, and we finally found ourselves at the very front of the glass.
Right then, something amazing happened: the keepers started the ‘Health Check’ session! I had seen this countless times on YouTube, but seeing it in person was 100 times cuter.
Watching Mei and Kira offer their little paws and spin around for the keepers was so adorable that all our exhaustion from the ‘speed walking’ earlier vanished instantly. My friend and I were moved to tears, whispering, ‘They really exist… they’re really here!’
If you’re visiting Japan, please make the trip to see these precious souls.
And if you can’t make it in person, you can still fall in love with them through their official 24/7 live stream!
Luxury at Kashikojima Hojoen – A Room with a View
After our heart-melting experience with the sea otters, we headed to our home for the night: Kashikojima Hojoen.
Despite our late arrival due to our ‘otter strategy,’ the staff welcomed us with the warmest hospitality.
The moment we stepped inside, we were surrounded by an atmosphere of refined Japanese elegance.
But the real ‘wow’ moment came when we opened the windows of our room. Stretched out before us was the breathtaking view of Ago Bay, dotted with lush green islands and calm, shimmering waters.
In that quiet moment, all the rushing of the day melted away. ‘I’m so glad we came here,’ I whispered to myself, soaking in the serene, peaceful energy of Ise-Shima.
A Seafood Feast – The Dancing Abalone!
Dinner was the absolute highlight of our stay—a lavish multi-course feast featuring the freshest seafood from the Ise-Shima coast.
The star of the show was undoubtedly the Abalone. It was so incredibly fresh that it was practically clinging to the lid of the pot!
Watching it cook right in front of us was a bit of a shock, but the taste? Pure heaven. The texture was perfect, and the rich, savory flavor of the ocean exploded in every bite.
From the delicate sashimi to the expertly prepared local dishes, every plate was a masterpiece.
We ended the night feeling both incredibly full and incredibly happy. If you are a seafood lover, this dinner alone is worth the trip to Kashikojima!
Day 2
Is this the Paldea Region?! Pokémon SV x Shima Spain Village
We finally set foot in the most anticipated part of our trip: Shima Spain Village! Our main goal was the limited-time Pokémon Scarlet and Violet collaboration event.
Since the Paldea region in the game is modeled after Spain, the Mediterranean architecture of the park felt like a perfect 1:1 match for the Pokémon world.
The moment we stepped into the plaza, I gasped—it was exactly like being in Mesagoza! Pokémon were hidden everywhere, blending seamlessly into the beautiful scenery.
One of the most heartwarming sights was seeing so many fans, both kids and adults, carrying their favorite ‘Pokémon fit’ (sitting plushies).
Every time we passed someone, it was like a silent greeting: ‘Oh, I see who your favorite teammate is!’ The shared excitement in the air made my heart race.
I couldn’t stop smiling!
Pokémon Everywhere! The Photo Spot Paradox
During the event, Pokémon are hidden—well, some not so hidden!—all over the village. The excitement of spotting them tucked away in the Mediterranean streets felt like a real-life scavenger hunt.
One of the highlights was finding Grafaiai (Taggingul)! Just like in the game, it had ‘painted’ its colorful markings on the village walls. From the adorable Starter Pokémon to many others, there were so many perfect photo ops that my friend and I were snapping pictures non-stop.
Summer Survival Guide – Portable Fans vs. Cooling Rings
Since I visited Ise-Shima in the early summer, the heat while walking around the park was no joke! 🥵
I quickly realized that having the right cooling gear is a necessity.
Lately, ‘Cooling Rings’ (neck rings filled with PCM material) are all the rage in Japan, but after trying everything, I believe the ‘Parasol + Portable Fan‘ combo is the ultimate winner!
Why I recommend the Portable Fan:
- Versatility: Unlike cooling rings, which only cool your neck, a fan lets you direct a breeze to your face, chest, or anywhere you feel the heat.
- Instant Recovery: Cooling rings lose their chill after a while and take time to reset. A fan gives you instant relief the moment you step into a shaded area or indoors.
- Sun Protection: Pairing it with a UV-cut Parasol creates your own little ‘mobile air-conditioned’ zone.
If you’re planning a trip to a Japanese theme park during the summer, don’t leave your hotel without these! Your body will thank you later.
Too Cute to Eat?! Savoring the Paldea Menu
No Pokémon adventure is complete without a themed feast! We headed to the park’s restaurant to try the exclusive collaboration menu.
My friend ordered the Sprigatito (Nyaoha) drink, and I went with the Quaxly (Kuwassu) one.
The attention to detail was incredible—they looked so perfect that we hesitated for a moment, thinking they were ‘too cute to drink!’ 🥤✨
And of course, we couldn’t miss out on the iconic ‘Sandwich’—a staple from the Paldea region! It wasn’t just about the looks; the flavors were surprisingly high-quality and hit the spot for our hungry trainer bellies.
It was the perfect refueling station before heading back out into the village.
Heading Home – Already Planning the Next Trip
After a whirlwind of fun at Shima Spain Village, we headed back to the station
We made sure to leave enough time to stock up on local souvenirs—Ise-Shima has so many delicious treats that my bags were significantly heavier on the way back!
As we settled into the comfortable seats of the Kintetsu Limited Express, we watched the beautiful Japanese countryside roll by through the large windows.
My friend and I couldn’t stop talking about the highlights: ‘The otters were so tiny!’, ‘The abalone was so fresh!’, ‘We need to spend more time in Okage-yokocho next time!’
Before we knew it, we were back to reality. But as they say, the best kind of trip is the one that leaves you wanting more. Ise-Shima, you were incredible—we’ll definitely be back for a longer stay next time!
Final Thoughts
Is 1 Night Really Enough?
Thank you so much for traveling with me through this 1-night, 2-day adventure in Ise-Shima!
If I’m being completely honest: 2 days was nowhere near enough.
There are so many hidden gems, delicious snacks, and breathtaking views that I think you need at least 3 nights to truly soak it all in! 😂
Whether you decide to maximize the ‘Mawaryanse’ Pass like we did, or choose to spend a slow, relaxing time at a luxury Ryokan, I hope this guide helps you plan your own perfect getaway.
I hope your trip to Ise-Shima is so incredibly fun and fulfilling that you find yourself saying exactly what I did: ‘I wish I had more time!’ 🫠✨
Safe travels, and enjoy every moment in Japan!
Rental cars are also recommended
Even though you can use your smartphone for translation, Japanese can be quite challenging.
If using local railways is difficult, renting a car might be a good option.
If you’re looking for a rental car in Japan, we recommend Tabirai Japan.
You can find information about rental cars in this article.👇
Taxis are also recommended
Driving in Japan is a bit unique.
If driving is difficult, taxis might be a good option.
You can find information about taxi in this article.👇