Louise George Kittaka

Do you know about Saio, the sacred princesses who served at Ise Jingu Shrine for hundreds of years? You can learn about the lives and culture of the Saio through a visit to historical sites, museums, and hands-on facilities in Meiwa Town, the location of the Saikū Palace where they once lived. Conveniently located between Ise and Matsuzaka, the town of Meiwa in Mie Prefecture is hosting the Saikū Cultural Art Festival from September to December, with an exciting array of curated tours and experiences centered around Meiwa’s unique royal history. It’s an easy trip from Osaka or Nagoya -- well worth adding to your itinerary. Who were the Saio? The Saio were unmarried female members of the imperial family who served as priestesses to the sun goddess Amaterasu at Ise Jingu Shrine. This tradition was established in the late seventh century and continued for approximately 660 years, with more than 60 princesses serving as Saio during this time. Saio were chosen whenever a new emperor ascended the throne, and would leave their families to live at the Saikū Palace. Their most important duties were to participate in three major festivals at Ise Jingu shrine each year. However, the majority of their time was spent living a refined yet isolated life, where their activities included praying, writing poetry, and reading stories. The Saio were forbidden to fall in love or marry, and were only released from their services if they or a close family member became very ill, or when a new emperor came to the throne. How was the Saikū “rediscovered”? After the Saio system ended in the early 13th century, the Saikū Palace, the official residence of these imperial priestesses, was all but forgotten. However, during excavation in the 1970s, researchers rediscovered the site, confirming the existence of the grand palace complex. In 1979, the site was designated a National Historic Site, and ongoing archaeological work continues to reveal more about this once-hidden part of Japan's imperial history. Visit the Saikū Palace in Meiwa Town and explore the Saikū Historical Museum and the Saio no Mori Historical Site Park to gain insight into the cultural legacy of the Saio. Saikū Cultural Art Festival 2024 Meiwa Town is hosting the Saikū Cultural Art Festival 2024 from September to December. Visitors can participate in a variety of special tours, workshops and experiences, and learn more about the lives of these secluded princesses during the festival. Yumiko Shimomura, mayor of Meiwa, says that the town is excited to welcome visitors from abroad to the festivities. "We have poured our heart and soul into creating experiences that will impact people at a deep level," she says. "We hope to create lasting memories of a very special part of Japanese culture." Can I visit Meiwa Town on a day trip? Yes, Meiwa is easily accessed from Osaka and Nagoya. It takes around 100 minutes from Nagoya, and between 2 and 2.5 hours from Osaka, by train. Should I stay overnight? Definitely! There’s more so much to see and do during the Saikū Cultural Art Festival, and some of the tours and experiences extend into the evening, so consider making the most of your visit with an overnight stay. Saiounomiya comes highly recommended, as a luxury ryokan with gourmet eats and a lovely hot-spring experience. Festival highlights Gastronomy Dinner Mondays from Oct. 7 - Dec. 2 Book here Indulge in a right royal feast at this exclusive culinary experience at Saikū Heian Era Park. What to expect You’ll join fellow diners for a sumptuous full-course dinner curated by Michelin-starred chef Ryusuke Ogura, featuring the very best of local produce and special sake selections. Enjoy traditional Japanese dance and music performances amid the ambience of the Heian era. Schedule and details The dinner is available every Monday from October 7 to December 2 (excluding November 4), and costs per head. Guests will meet at Saikū Station at 6 p.m. and be escorted to Saikū Heian Era Park for the event, which ends at 9 p.m. Gastronomy Tour with Saikū Projection Mapping Nov. 2 Book here A feast for the senses! Indulge your taste buds with a French-Japanese dinner, followed by a digital art presentation bringing the history of the Saikū to life. What to expect You’ll enjoy a full-course dinner with drinks, experience Heian-era games, and watch a fantastic project mapping display at Saikū Heian Era Park, featuring cultural and historic motifs of the Saikū, home of the imperial princesses. The tour also includes a visit to the Saikū Night Market, featuring local food and souvenirs from Meiwa Town. Schedule and details The tour takes place on November 2 (Sat.) and runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and costs per person. Guests are asked to meet at Saikū Station. Dress up Like Heian Royalty Daily Oct. through Dec. (excluding Mondays) Book here Bring out your inner princess (or prince) in gorgeous period clothing and try some of the games enjoyed by the Saio, such as kaiawase (shell matching) and bansugoroku (an Asian-style backgammon). What to expect You’ll dress for your photoshoot in Heian-period costumes, with options for both women and men (including a replica of the iconic multi-layered junihitoe kimono worn by the Saio). Learn about Saio history and experience traditional entertainment, feast on Japanese-French cuisine for lunch, and take part in a shrine ritual followed by Japanese sweets and local Ise tea. Schedule and details This small-group experience is offered daily from October to December (except Monday) and runs from 10:20 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It costs for one person (discounted to for two, and for three). Pick-up and drop-off are at Saikū Station. Calligraphy Painting on Pottery Sat-Sun, Oct. through Dec. Book here Saio princesses painted elegant characters on pottery during their time in the Saikū. Try your hand at this calligraphy craft and take home a unique souvenir of your visit to Meiwa. What to expect After practicing some Japanese calligraphy, you’ll write the characters of your choice on unglazed pottery, explore the Saikū Historical Museum and enjoy a boxed lunch and Ise tea. Schedule and details This tour is available on Saturdays and Sundays from October to December (with some exceptions -- refer to the festival website for more details). The tour runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and costs per person. It starts and ends at Saikū Station. Join the Supernatural Parade Dec. 15 Book here Immerse yourself in the world of Japan’s yōkai spirits, with a spookily sophisticated costume parade under the full moon and plenty of photo opportunities. What to expect You’ll dress up in kimono and join a cast of ghostly costumed characters. Learn all about Japan’s spiritual word with lectures, live art performances and other yokai-themed activities. You’ll also enjoy a scarily good banquet. Schedule and details The event takes place on December 15 (Sun) from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and costs per person (children under 13 are free, but no dinner is included). The tour starts and ends at Matsusaka Station and participants will travel by chartered bus. Shrine Visit With the Saio Oct. 17 and Nov. 16 Book here Accompany the Japanese princesses on a shrine visit and enjoy a meal in a restored Heian period building where the Saio once lived. What to expect You’ll learn about shrine culture, making your own hemp charm for purification and accompanying the Saio and a priest on a shrine visit, before dining at Heian no Mori. Schedule and details This experience is available on October 17 (Thurs.) and November 16 (Sat.), and runs from 3:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is per person. The tour starts and ends at Matsusaka Station and participants will travel by chartered bus. Traditional Crafts Experience with Dinner Nov. 23-24 Book here Delve into color and find out more about the costumes of the imperial princesses, and make charms used in purification ceremonies. What to expect You’ll learn about the significance of the junihitoe (ceremonial layered kimono) worn by the Saio princesses and about the hemp used in purification rights. Try your hand at making a hemp charm and visit an art installation at Take Shrine, followed by dinner. Schedule and details This experience is available on November 23 (Sat.) and 24 (Sun.) and costs . It runs form 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and starts and ends at Take Shrine. The shrine is a 6-minute walk from Saikū Station. Noh Theater Performance From Nov. 4 Book here Attend a performance of Noh, a traditional Japanese theatrical form involving music, dance and drama, which originated in the 14th century. What to expect You’ll watch Noh master Yoshimasa Kanze perform in Nonomiya (English commentary provided), followed by a chance to see the costumes close up while enjoying a talk by Mr. Kanze over light refreshments. Schedule and details The performance takes place at Saikū Heian no Mori on November 4 (Mon.) with two types of seating: (“matsu” area) and (“take” area). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the tour ends at 9 p.m. Saikū Heian no Mori is a 5-minute walk from Saikū Station. For more information or to book any of these tours, visit the festival website. How to get there Tours departing from Saikū Station From Osaka/Namba To get to Saikū Station from Osaka (Namba Station), the quickest way is getting the Kintetsu Limited Express to Ise-Nakagawa Station and transferring to the Yamada Line for Saikū. The journey takes between 2 hours and 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on what train you catch. From Nagoya Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kintetsu Nagoya Station to Ise-Nakagawa Station then change to the Yamada Line. The journey takes around 90 - 110 minutes. From Tokyo From Tokyo Station take the Tōkaidō-Sanyō Shinkansen to Nagoya Station, change to the Rapid Mie Line for Matsusaka Station, then change to the Yamada Line for Saikū. The journey takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. Tours departing from Matsusaka Station From Osaka/Namba To get to Matsusaka Station from Osaka (Namba Station), the quickest way is getting the Kintetsu Limited Express to Ise-Nakagawa Station and transferring to the Yamada Line for Matsuoka. The journey takes between 1 hour and 45 minutes and 2 hours and 15 minutes, depending on what train you catch. From Nagoya Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kintetsu Nagoya Station to Ise-Nakagawa Station then change to the Yamada Line. The journey takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Tokyo From Tokyo Station take the Tōkaidō-Sanyō Shinkansen to Nagoya Station and change to the Rapid Mie Line for Matsusaka Station. The journey takes around 3 hours and 10 minutes. Note: Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check the official site before heading to an event.

Louise George Kittaka

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