Hot air balloons, a giant moon, and traditional performances from the past — welcome to the Saikū Cultural Art Festival, an easy trip from Osaka or Nagoya.
What to expect
Walk in the footsteps of Japan’s unmarried holy princesses, known as the Saio, at the Saiku Palace Ruins complex where they once lived. Brimming with history, the Saikū area in Meiwa Town is putting on several tours and experiences to sample old customs and delve deeper into the legacy of the Heian period.
Interesting fact: The princesses of the town also served as priestesses at nearby Ise Jingu Shrine (some say Japan’s most important shrine).
Schedule and tickets
Here are just some of the unique tours and experiences on offer:
- Hot Air Balloon Experience (Sep. 15 and Sep. 16) — get tickets from ¥10,000
- Calligraphy Painting on Pottery (from Oct. to Dec.) — get tickets for ¥10,000
- Gastronomy Tour with Saikū Projection Mapping (Nov. 2) — get tickets for ¥30,000
- Join a Supernatural Parade — get tickets for ¥33,000
- Traditional Crafts Experience with Dinner and Moon Installation — (Nov. 23 and 24) — get tickets for ¥11,000
- Shrine Visit With the Saio (Oct. 17 and Nov. 16) — get tickets for ¥33,000
- Noh Theater Performance (Nov. 4) — get tickets from ¥12,000
See more on the official website.
How to get there
Tours will depart from either Matsusaka Station or Saikū Station in Mie. Both are 12 minutes from each other on the Yamada Line.
From Osaka/Namba
If you are coming from Osaka:
To Saikū Station
To get to Saikū Station from Osaka-Namba Station, the quickest way is taking the Kintetsu Limited Express to Ise-Nakagawa Station and transferring to the Yamada Line. The journey takes between 2 hours and 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on what train you catch.
To Matsusaka Station
From Osaka-Namba Station, the quickest way is to get the Kintetsu Limited Express direct to Matsusaka. The journey takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
From Nagoya
If you are coming from Nagoya:
To Saikū Station
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 30 minutes.
To Matsusaka Station
Take either the Kintetsu Limited Express or Rapid Mie from Nagoya Station directly to Matsusaka. The journey takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.
From Tokyo
From Tokyo Station, take the Tōkaidō-Sanyō Shinkansen to Nagoya Station, then change to the Rapid Mie Line for Matsusaka Station or change again at Matsusaka for the Yamada Line to Saikū. The journey takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.