Visit a Shrine in Mie with a Japanese Princess

Join a traditional Japanese princess as she completes a serene worship on the full moon.

What to expect

The main event is a ceremony at Take Shrine conducted by a princess from the past. Saiō were unmarried holy princesses who lived in the Saikū area in Meiwa Town. This is a chance to see how they worshipped, but also to steep yourself further into history — you’ll also get to make charms out of hemp and dine in a restored Heian building where the princesses once lived.

Tickets

The tour costs ¥33,495 and includes a guide, workshop, admission fee for museum, chartered bus, watching the worship, as well as food and one drink. There will be a tour on October 17 and November 16.

Schedule

A chartered bus will take you from place to place.

• 15:15: Meet at Matsusaka Station (North Exit)
• 16:00: Visit museum
• 17:00: Hemp lecture and making charms at the museum
• 18:15: Walk around the full moon installation at Take Shrine
• 18:30 Official worship with a Japanese princess
• 19:30: Have dinner in a restored Heian building
• 21:00: Say goodbye at Matsusaka Station

How to get there

The tour will depart from Matsusaka Station.

From Osaka/Namba

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

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. The journey takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes.