The Ise-Shima Golden Route: Why Toba is Your Perfect Basecamp

By Christopher Douglas

Local in Toba

Whenever friends ask me where they should stay when visiting Ise-Shima, I always suggest using Toba as a home base. While Ise is home to the famous shrines, Toba and Shima both offer incredible coastal scenery, each with its own unique character. Toba sits right in the middle of everything, making it a grounded and convenient place to return to at the end of a long day of exploring.

Getting Here is Easy

One of the most practical reasons I recommend Toba is the access. If you are coming from Nagoya, Osaka, or Kyoto, the Kintetsu Limited Express trains bring you straight here in about two hours. Since Toba is a major hub for the region, you do not have to worry about the stress of navigating multiple transfers with your luggage. Most of the local hotels and traditional inns also run their own shuttle buses from Toba Station, so getting to your room is usually a very smooth process.

A Gateway to Kumano

I also find that Toba is an ideal stopping point for those heading further down the coast. If your travel plans include the Kumano Kodo or the sacred sites of the Kii Peninsula, Toba is perfectly positioned on the way. Whether you are coming from the north and heading toward Kumano, or making your way back toward the major cities from the south, stopping here for a few nights allows you to transition from the mountain trails to the sea.

A Simple Two-Day Plan

To see the best of the region without constantly moving your luggage, I think a two-night stay in Toba is the perfect amount of time. On your first day, you can arrive and spend the afternoon exploring locally, perhaps visiting the Toba Aquarium or taking a short ferry ride to one of the nearby islands like Toshijima. On your second day, you can take a quick twenty-minute train ride to Ise to visit Jingu (the Grand Shrines) and walk through the historic streets of Oharaimachi. After a second night in Toba, you can head south on your final morning to see the pearl rafts and the famous views from Yokoyama Observatory in Shima before continuing your journey.

Finding a Place to Stay

There are plenty of different types of places to stay here, from large hotels with hot springs to smaller, more intimate guesthouses. Because many of these are located along the rugged coast outside of the main town center, I recommend taking advantage of the hotel shuttle buses for your arrivals and departures. Check out the planning page for online booking links.