Ise Meirin Shopping Street, Mie

Ise Meirin Shopping Street is a historic commercial corridor located in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, stretching approximately 400 meters from the outer shrine approach to the inner shrine area of Ise Jingu. The street derives its name from Meirin, meaning "bright ethics" or "enlightened morality," reflecting its historical connection to the sacred pilgrimage routes that have served visitors to Ise Grand Shrine for centuries.

The shopping street has flourished since the Edo period when pilgrimage to Ise Jingu became one of Japan's most popular religious journeys. During the peak years of the Okage Mairi mass pilgrimages in the 18th and 19th centuries, millions of worshippers traveled to Ise, and merchants along this route provided essential goods, accommodations, and services. The street has maintained its role as a vital link between the outer and inner shrines, preserving the traditional atmosphere of a Japanese temple town while adapting to modern tourism.

Visitors to Ise Meirin Shopping Street experience a blend of traditional crafts, local cuisine, and religious souvenir shops. The street is particularly known for its offerings of Akafuku mochi, a famous local sweet made from mochi rice cake covered with sweet red bean paste that has been produced since 1707. Shops also sell Ise udon, characterized by its thick, soft noodles in a dark soy-based broth, and various items related to shrine worship including omamori charms and wooden ema plaques. Many establishments retain their traditional wooden storefronts and architectural elements, creating an authentic historical ambiance.

The shopping street is easily accessible from Iseshi Station on the JR and Kintetsu lines, located approximately 10 minutes away by foot. Local buses also run frequently between the station and the shrine area, stopping near the shopping street. Visitors can also reach the street from Ujiyamada Station, which is about 15 minutes on foot. There is no admission fee to walk along the street itself, though individual shops and restaurants charge for their goods and services. The location serves as a natural stopping point for visitors moving between Geku (Outer Shrine) and Naiku (Inner Shrine), the two main components of Ise Jingu that are situated approximately 6 kilometers apart.