Kintetsu Railway Monthly News in July 2026

Welcome to Kintetsu Railway Monthly News in July 2026 This month, explore the enchanting region of Ise, featuring the sacred Ise Jingu and Futami Okitama Shrine. Discover historic streets like Oharaimachi, Okage Yokocho, and Kawasaki district, along with character shops, local cuisine, artistic galleries, and world-class coffee, all easily accessible via Kintetsu Railway!

Index

• 1.After visiting Ise Shrine, unwind at Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho
• 2.A Character Shop in Oharaimachi
• 3.Begin Your Journey in a Sacred Land at Futami Okitama Jinja
• 4.Discover and immerse yourself in the art and history of Japan at Umikaze Gallery
  
• 5.Enjoy Local Cuisine from Japan’s Fresh Fish Hub at Kawasaki district
  
• 6.Indulge in world-class coffee amidst a historic old town at Nakamura Coffee

1. After visiting Ise Shrine, unwind at Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho (10 July 2026)

Oharaimachi is a street leading to Ise Shrine, and Okage Yokocho, located at the heart of this area, is a district rich in history and vibrancy.

After a rewarding visit to the sacred sites and a day of sightseeing, why not treat yourself to a relaxing experience at Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho?

• Akafuku (Main Branch)

When it comes to famous souvenirs from Ise, “Akafuku” immediately comes to mind. Established in 1707, this beloved treat has a fascinating history. It is said that pilgrims who traveled long distances to visit Ise Shrine felt relaxed, refreshed, and reenergized after enjoying Akafuku mochi for their onward journey. Since then, Akafuku has become a quintessential souvenir of Ise, which boasts a long and storied history.

For summer, we highly recommend trying “Akafuku Shaved Ice” This seasonal dish features shaved ice generously topped with matcha syrup and filled with special red bean paste and mochi designed to complement the coolness of the ice, creating a perfectly balanced and delicious treat.

• Dangoro Chaya

This shop recreates the vibrant atmosphere of an “Edo-era mountain teahouse,” where pilgrims of the past would rest, share stories, and recharge.

Dangoro Chaya offers a wide variety of dishes, including classic items like meticulously prepared onigiri and grilled Matsusaka beef. They also serve refreshing cold soba noodles and their unique shaved ice, making it a perfect stop during your visit.

📍 How to get there

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2. A Character Shop in Oharaimachi  (16 July 2026)

Oharaimachi is a district steeped in the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese town, but it also boasts shops featuring beloved characters from around the world!

Stepping through the delicate Japanese veil that blends seamlessly with the town’s retro landscape, you’ll discover limited-edition items sold only here, along with a special atmosphere and an experience that can be enjoyed with all your senses.

• Miffy Oyatsudo Ise Store

This shop perfectly combines the cuteness of Miffy with the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese house under the concept of “Miffy × Snack Time.” Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of sweets and merchandise, such as “Miffy Dorayaki” dorayaki shaped like the adorable Miffy, Kohakuto, and other Japanese-style snacks and goods. Available exclusively at Ise branch.

• SNOOPY Village Ise Store

A store for Snoopy lovers that brings together three popular brands in one place: “SNOOPY Chaya”, “SNOOPY Chocolat” and “WOODSTOCK NEST Sweets & Goodies”, allowing everyone to enjoy themselves in just one visit.
Of course, there are many limited-edition items available only in Ise, as well as special items that cannot be found anywhere else. In addition, there are sweets perfect for souvenirs, or you can simply stroll around, sample the food, and explore Oharaimachi.

With an atmosphere that blends Japanese design, historical town, and the warm world of SNOOPY, the store feels like a nostalgic trip down memory lane, a unique and memorable experience found only in Japan.

📍 How to get there

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3. Begin Your Journey in a Sacred Land at Futami Okitama Jinja (21 July 2026)

⛩️ It is often said that “a pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine should begin at Futami” Futami Okitama Jinja is a sacred place for the misogi ceremony, a purification ritual for the body and mind by the sea before entering the main shrine.

You will be greeted by the breathtaking seaside scenery of the ‘Meotoiwa Rocks’ also known as the husband and wife rocks. This powerful symbol of Ise-Shima is deeply rooted in Japanese beliefs and legends.

The origin of the Meotoiwa Rocks comes from their likeness to torii gates, used for worshipping sacred stones submerged in the deep sea and observing the sunrise over the water. Today, the large and small rocks are connected by a large sacred shimenawa rope. They symbolize love, strong bonds, and a harmonious married life, attracting individuals from around the world who come to pray for a happy marriage. From May to July, you can witness a magnificent sunrise as the sun’s rays shine through the gaps between the rocks.

Upon entering the shrine grounds, you will notice statues of frogs of various sizes scattered throughout the area. 🐸
At Futami Okitama Shrine, frogs are considered messengers of the shrine’s deity. Additionally, the Japanese word for frog, ‘kaeru’ sounds similar to ‘return’ that making frogs a symbol of good fortune that signifies a safe journey or the return of good things. As a result, it is a popular place to pray for safe travels while enjoying the serene atmosphere.

More about Futami Okitama Shrine

Address

• 575 Futamichoe, Ise, Mie 519-0602, Japan

How to get there

• From Osaka-Namba: Take Kintetsu train from Osaka-Namba Station to Toba Station (2 hours). Then, take a bus to Meoto-iwa Higashiguchi bus stop (approximately 12 minutes).
• From Kintetsu-Nagoya: Take Kintetsu train from Kintetsu-Nagoya Station to Toba Station (1 hour 40 minutes). Then, take a bus to the Meoto-iwa Higashiguchi bus stop (approximately 12 minutes).

Map

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4. Discover and immerse yourself in the art and history of Japan at Umikaze Gallery (24 July 2026)

It is often said that “a pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine should begin at Futami” making Futami a crucial starting point for pilgrims.

Within the Futami Okitama Jinja, where the misogi ceremony, a purification ritual of body and mind by the sea before entering the shrine, takes place, lies the “Umikaze Gallery”

The view from Umikaze Gallery is breathtaking, offering a panoramic vista of Ise Bay. This makes it a popular spot for both pilgrims and tourists to take in the stunning scenery.

The café features drinks made from local Ise ingredients, including an Ise tea latte, alongside other beverages that also highlight locally sourced components. It is highly recommended to stop by after you visit the shrine to enjoy a refreshing drink. Alternatively, you can relax with tea or coffee inside the shop.

Additionally, the store showcases and sells custom-made artwork from various artists, such as Japanese-style paintings, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and various lucky items. This allows visitors to appreciate the charm of Japanese art while unwinding in a tranquil setting.

📍How to get there

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5. Enjoy Local Cuisine from Japan’s Fresh Fish Hub at Kawasaki district (27 July 2026)

Kawasaki district in Ise is full of history and has a charming atmosphere that reminds you of the Meiji era. This area was known as “Kitchen of Ise” because of the lively trade in fresh fish that was brought in by ships from Ise-Shima.

One dish that you must try is “Kamaboko” a traditional Japanese food made from finely ground white fish. It is shaped and then either steamed or grilled to help it last longer. Kamaboko has been a part of Japanese culinary culture for a long time and is also seen as a lucky gift. Today, it is still popular as a healthy option high in protein.

“Wakamatsuya” one of the area’s oldest shops, started in 1905 during Meiji era. This shop is famous for using traditional methods to make kamaboko, keeping the authentic taste of fresh fish alive for over a century.

Wakamatsuya also offers a kamaboko-making workshop where you can learn to make kamaboko yourself. You will get to experience this important technique firsthand. Experts will guide you through the process, teaching you everything from the basics to step-by-step instructions.

In the workshop, you will make two types of kamaboko. The first is “Grilled Kamaboko,” which involves skewering minced fish and grilling it fresh. The second is “Flat Kamaboko,” where the minced fish is spread onto a wooden board, shaped into a semi-circle, and steamed.

Once you finish making your creations, you can enjoy your freshly made kamaboko right away. This workshop is a fun experience not to be missed, offering both great flavors and a memorable way to learn about Ise-Shima’s food culture.

How to get there 

• Wakamatsuya Kawasaki Branch (Main Branch)
  • From Osaka Namba: Take the Kintetsu train from Osaka-Namba Station to Iseshi Station (1 hour 50 minutes), then walk for about 9 minutes.
  • From Nagoya: Take the Kintetsu train from Kintetsu-Nagoya Station to Iseshi Station (1 hour 20 minutes), then walk for about 9 minutes.

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6. Indulge in world-class coffee amidst a historic old town at Nakamura Coffee (31 July 2026)

Kawasaki district grew from the Edo period as a trading hub heavily reliant on waterways. Today, those buildings have been transformed into cafes and shops lining the entire area.

In Kawasaki, we recommend a coffee shop selected to serve at the welcoming program for spouses of world leaders attending the Ise-Shima Summit, and one that has also received international awards.

“Nakamura Coffee” roasts its own beans daily, with the intention of “bringing happiness to everyone through just one cup of coffee.” The shop meticulously selects its beans and ensures the quality of every cup served! The owner is a professional coffee roaster. It has also won awards in competitions both domestically in Japan and internationally.

The shop offers special menu items found only here, such as “Okage Blend,” named after Okage Yokocho district, and “Ise-Shima Summit Blend,” a coffee served to the spouses of world leaders attending Ise-Shima Summit. There are also homemade sweets specially created to pair with the coffee.

In particular, the shop’s chocolate is meticulously crafted, from the selection of cocoa beans to roasting and production.
The pairing of world-class roasted coffee with exquisitely crafted chocolate is a truly perfect culinary experience.

How to get there

Ref. : Kintetsu Railway English

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