Unwind and immerse yourself in nature on these accessible tours of Ise Shima National Park

Ise Shima National Park is where sacred forests meet a dramatic sawtooth coastline and abundant seas. But unlike most other national parks in Japan, Ise Shima is home not only to wilderness, as it encompasses several thriving communities such as the cities of Ise, Shima and Toba, as well as the fishing village of Minami-Ise. Hence, the park is a testament to the deep ties that connect humans and nature in this area.

One of the best places to see this relationship unfold is the Yokoyama Observatory, perched on a ridge overlooking Ago Bay. The view here is extraordinary: more than 60 islets dot the water like scattered jewels, while pearl rafts float quietly in the bay, a reminder of the region’s long tradition of aquaculture.

The observation deck itself has been designed with accessibility in mind. Wide wooden boardwalks, ramps and barrier-free pathways make it easy for wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility to navigate. Benches are placed along the paths, offering plenty of chances to pause and take in the scenery. Whether you come in the crisp clarity of morning or during the soft glow of sunset, the panorama from Yokoyama feels timeless, inviting reflection on how people and nature have coexisted here for millennia.

To fully appreciate the beauty of Ago Bay, you’ll want to leave the hillside and head out onto the water. Accessible forest kayaking tours make this possible for everyone. Kayaks can be fitted with backrests, and special lightweight non-compressing life jackets are available for use, making the activity equally comfortable and safe for beginners, children, and people with physical limitations. Experienced guides are on hand to offer support and adapt the experience to each participant’s needs, so that you can focus entirely on the breathtaking ubamegashi oak forests along the shores.

The waters here are calm and sheltered, making Ago Bay one of the most inviting spots in Japan for sea kayaking. The natural forests that cover the once-bare sandbars are the habitat of the aforementioned ubamegashi oak, the raw material for high-grade binchotan charcoal. Binchotan is used in the production of katsuobushi, or dried, fermented and smoked bonito flakes, a local delicacy dating back to ancient times.

In Ise Shima, food is never just sustenance. It is bound up with rituals and beliefs that stretch back centuries. Often regarded as the birthplace of washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine), the region has long produced staples like katsuobushi, a cornerstone of Japanese cooking. Each October, the finest batch of katsuobushi is carefully chosen and presented to the sun goddess Amaterasu during the annual Kanname Festival at Ise Jingu, underscoring the sacred connection between food and the divine.

One of the most respected katsuobushi producers in the region is Katsuo no Tenpaku, renowned for its umami-rich flakes made with the slow, traditional tebiyama smoking method. The business is led by its fourth-generation head craftsman, Yukiaki Tenpaku, who offers hands-on workshops where visitors can learn about the ingredient’s history and the painstaking six-month process of cutting, simmering, smoking and fermenting skipjack tuna. The experience concludes with a tasting: freshly shaved flakes sprinkled over warm rice or steeped into a fragrant dashi broth – simple, yet profoundly rich in umami flavour.

For more than three thousand years, Ama – women who free-dive without oxygen tanks – have been harvesting the bounty of the ocean in Ise Shima, relying only on their lungs, stamina and intimate knowledge of the sea. You can watch these remarkable divers at work from a close distance on a boat, whether standing up or in a wheelchair.

Ama harvests include abalone, sazae (turban shells) and sea urchins, which are quickly brought to shore in the morning, in time for the daily seafood market. Seeing the divers slip gracefully into the water and resurface with their fresh catch is a rare opportunity to witness living tradition in action.

On this tour, you also get to join them and watch the action up close. Wearing a wetsuit and snorkel, you can dive together with a working Ama in relatively calm shallows, for a beginner-friendly and truly unforgettable experience. While Ama divers are no longer employed in the production of pearls, the nearby Mikimoto Pearl Island is also worth a visit, with Ama shows and exhibits dedicated to the local pearl industry.

After a dive in the clear waters of Ise Shima, make your way to Ama Hut Hachiman for fresh seafood grilled over charcoal. These rustic huts are staffed by current and former Ama, who create a welcoming atmosphere. The culinary experience features fresh abalone, turban shells, horse mackerel and squid, all grilled on the spot by the elderly divers. If you’re feeling particularly rejuvenated after your meal, join in the Osatsu ondo line dance, a local tradition passed down through generations. While the hut is smoky, the divers’ powerful storytelling and scrumptious meals make the experience special.

Top off your journey through Ise Shima with a pilgrimage to Ise Jingu, the most important shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. For centuries, pilgrims have travelled from all corners of Japan to visit this sacred site, especially the Naiku (inner shrine). Walking across the Uji Bridge and beneath the shrine’s towering cedars feels like stepping into another world, where nature and spirituality converge.

The shrine is welcoming to all visitors. Although reaching the main sanctuary requires climbing a flight of stairs and walking along an extended gravel path, trained Omotenashi Helpers are available when booked in advance to assist travellers with mobility needs, ensuring that everyone can take part in the pilgrimage experience. These guides not only share insights into the shrine’s traditions and legends, but also assist with navigation using off-road-capable Whill electric wheelchairs. These are equipped with four-wheel drive for easier travel across gravel and uneven ground.

One experience not to miss is the semi-private Shinto ritual of kagura, a sacred dance accompanied by ancient music. Performed at the Naiku Kaguraden hall on the shrine grounds, these dances are ‘offered’ to the gods, but can also be admired by visitors via reservation on-site, adding cultural and spiritual depth to the visit. Combined with the gentle sound of the Isuzugawa River flowing nearby, the atmosphere is both solemn and uplifting at the same time.

These accessible experiences – along with others like sea-glass crafting workshops – can be booked through Kaito Yumin Club, local experts of the Ise Shima area. Individual experiences can be reserved online via the official website, while private tours can also be arranged through their ‘Bespoke Tour’ option, which lets visitors customise their itinerary based on their interests or physical needs.