Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho-A Must-Visit Spot Close to the Naiku (Inner Shrine)

Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho, Adjacent to the Entrance of the Naiku (Inner Shrine)
Stretching about 800 meters, Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho are packed with countless shops lining the street. Many of these shops have a retro-style appearance, making for a charming stroll that brings your shopping and dining desires to their peak.

If time permits, it’s highly recommended to visit these streets after your worship at the Naiku, as experiencing them beforehand may leave you feeling so fulfilled that it could overshadow the visit itself!

Table of Contents

How to Get There

Address: 4 Uji Imazaike-cho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture –Google Maps

Oharaimachi is located right next to the entrance of the Naiku (Inner Shrine). Access is the same as for the Naiku itself, so please refer to the “How to Get There” section in this article for directions.

For those coming from the Geku (Outer Shrine), please refer to this article.

What are Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho?

Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho are streets filled with traditional shops and eateries, offering a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of old Japan. Strictly speaking, Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho are separate areas, but because they are within the same vicinity, it’s simpler for visitors to consider them as one combined destination.

To clarify for those interested in understanding their distinction, here’s an overview of each area:

Okage Yokocho is located within Oharaimachi, meaning the retro-style town spreading from the Naiku (Inner Shrine) entrance is Oharaimachi, and Okage Yokocho is a section within it.

Historically, Oharaimachi came first. Japan once had a system called the oshi (pilgrimage guide) system, in which shrine priests and monks provided lodging, guidance, and prayer services to visitors. The area near the Naiku prospered under this system, but with its abolishment in 1871 and the advent of automobile travel, Oharaimachi gradually lost its bustling atmosphere.

In response to this decline, Okage Yokocho was opened in 1993 to revive the area’s charm and historical appeal.

What’s Inside Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho?

As you’ll notice when you visit in person, there are no clear divisions between Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho. So, feel free to enjoy the entire retro townscape without worrying about where one ends and the other begins. Simply immerse yourself in the charm of the area and explore at your own pace!

Oharaimachi is just a minute’s walk from the entrance of the Naiku (Inner Shrine).

Since it was a holiday and the weather was clear, there were many visitors at the shrine that day.

Delicious-looking menus in front of the shops are sure to whet your appetite. It’s hard not to get hungry just looking at them!

This shop sells croquettes and skewered wagyu beef, among other items.

There were people everywhere you walked! That’s a sign just how much fun everyone is having!

Shirataka is a sake brewery that supplies its sake to the Ise Jingu. It’s also possible to enjoy sake at the counter here.

The Starbucks is also designed with a retro style.

The area behind the white flag in the center is Okage Yokocho. This shows how Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho are part of the same site, right?

The main store of “Akafuku,” one of Japan’s most famous traditional sweets. If you know any Japanese people, ask them about the greatness of Akafuku! Because its shelf life is only 2 to 3 days, it’s sold primarily in the Mie Prefecture area, so it’s not easy to find in Tokyo!

Hours and Fees

Hours of Operation:

January, February, November, December: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
March – October: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Closed: No regular holidays

Parking: Please use the paid parking at the Naiku (Inner Shrine). The first hour is free, with a fee of 500 yen for 1–2 hours, and 100 yen for every additional 30 minutes. (Note: The parking lot may be full. If so, there are many paid parking lots nearby that you can use.)

Admission Fee: Free

Note that this information is accurate as of October 14, 2024.