1. Enjoy sweets and gourmet food at Okage-yokocho

What is Okage-yokocho?

`` Okage-yokocho'' is a town located in the middle of `` Oharai-Machi'', a street that runs along the Isuzu River towards IseJingu Naiku.

Okage-yokocho area is a recreation of the townscape that existed on Iseji from the Edo to Meiji periods, by relocating buildings from that time.
Walking through the streets surrounded by tiled roofs and wooden buildings, you'll feel like you've traveled back in time to the Edo period!

Difference between Okage-yokocho and Oharai-Machi

Oharai-Machi is a town where Onshi (Oshi) were once active.

During the Edo period, Oharai-Machi was lined with mansions of ``Onshi'', the lower-ranking priests of IseJingu.

An Oshi is a person whose role is similar to that of a travel agent or tour conductor in modern times.
The lords have been active since the Muromachi period, traveling all over the country to invite visitors to visit IseJingu, offering guidance to worshipers, providing lodging, and providing hospitality.

It is also said that this town, lined with Oshi mansions, came to be called `` Oharai-Machi'' because Oshi performed exorcisms and performed Kagura for the common people.

Okage-yokocho is a Yokocho that was created in 1993 to recreate the townscape of Oharai-Machi.

During the Edo period, Oharai-Machi, but after the Meiji period, the number of people visiting Oharai-machi decreased due to the abolition of the Oshi system and an increase in the number of people visiting Oharai-Machi by car, so the town lost its vitality. Masu.

Concerned about this situation, Akafukumochi Co., Ltd. opened Okage-yokocho in 1993.

In order to ``recreate the traditional townscape of Iseji,'' along with the opening of Okage-yokocho, the townscape of Oharai-Machi was also developed.
Efforts were made such as putting power lines underground and paving with stone pavement.

After visiting IseJingu, enjoy eating while walking

Nowadays, many people visit Oharai-Machi and Okage-yokocho to enjoy walking and eating out.

Okage-yokocho is full of sweets and gourmet foods such as croquettes, dango, and cucumber sticks.
You can also enjoy sweets and gourmet food made with Ise specialties and local ingredients.

There are plenty of benches, so you can sit down and eat what you bought right away.

After visiting IseJingu, enjoy eating while walking around the quaint Okage-yokocho street!

2. “Akafukumochi Main Store” Akafukumochi

A famous store that has been loved since the Edo period

"Akafukumochi" has been famous as an Ise specialty since ancient times.
“Akafukumochi” was founded in 1707 (Hoei 4)! This is a long-established store that has been around since the Edo period.

Akafukumochi main store has a history of 140 years.

The Akafukumochi main store building, located across Okage-yokocho, was built during the Meiji period and has a history of over 140 years.
It is built in the ``Tsumairi'' style, which is a typical architectural style in Ise, and has an elegant appearance.

*The ``Tsumairi'' style is a building with an entrance in the gable part (the side where the roof looks like a figure eight when viewed from the side), saying, ``The ``Hirairi'' style, which is the same as the residence of the gods, is feared.'' style

Speaking of Ise specialty! Akafukumochi

Enjoy “Bon” 250 yen including tax

The three stripes on the filling of Akafukumochi mochi represent the babbling stream of the Isuzu River, and the white rice cake with the filling on it represents the pebbles at the bottom of the river. Part of the fun is the Ise-like appearance.

The bean paste has a gentle sweetness, and the rice cake is just the right amount of softness, giving it a comforting taste.

Akafukumochi to enjoy at the store

At Akafukumochi 's coffee shops, including the main store, you can enjoy Akafukumochi iri-san.''​

The set comes with bancha using tea leaves grown locally in Mie Prefecture.
It has a good aroma and goes great with Akafukumochi mochi♪

Enjoy the view of Ise from the tatami room

From the tatami room inside the restaurant, you can see the Isuzu River and the mountains surrounding the sacred area of IseJingu.
Akafukumochi mochi, which you can enjoy while admiring the unique scenery of Ise, is something special.

3. “Fruit Lab” fresh juice

A selection of seasonal fruits

The showcase of "Fruit Lab" is lined with carefully selected fruits♪

carefully selected fruits

At Fruit Lab, we carefully select fruits with a well-balanced sugar content and acidity from fruits grown in Ise and other parts of Mie Prefecture, as well as seasonal fruits.
You can enjoy it in a variety of ways, including freshly squeezed juices, smoothies (seasonally available), ole with milk, and shaved ice (summer only)!

Full of nutrition! fresh juice

Rendaiji persimmon ole 370 yen including tax

The Rendaiji persimmon is a very rare fruit that has been designated as a natural monument by IseCity.
A delicious cup with the mellow sweetness of ripe persimmons♪

Fresh juice Kyoho 510 yen including tax

Squeezing Kyoho grapes with their skin on is full of polyphenols! A nutritious fresh juice.

Special low-speed rotation juicer

For fresh juice, we use a low-speed rotating juicer that allows you to enjoy the full nutritional value of the fruit.

With conventional juicers (types that rotate metal blades at high speed), nutrients such as enzymes are lost due to the heat of the machine.
On the other hand, the juicer used by Fruit Lab squeezes vegetables and fruits at low speed, making it possible to make delicious juice without destroying important nutrients!

Full of nutrients and delicious. This is a juice that will please your body and soul♪

4. “Butasute” croquette

A long-established butcher shop founded in 1902

Ise's long-established butcher shop "Butasute" was founded in 1909 (Meiji 42).
This restaurant is popular for its carefully selected meat, processed products such as croquettes, and the beef bowls and sukiyaki that you can enjoy at the restaurant.

Dedicated to “Ise meat”

At Butasute, we continue to sell meat and processed products, focusing on Ise meat, which is considered the root of Matsusaka beef.

In addition to the popular croquettes, we also have a wide range of takeout items.

In addition to croquettes, there is also a full lineup of fried foods such as kushikatsu (limited quantities) and minced meat cutlets.
It's also a good idea to buy several types at once and take them home as souvenirs.

Crispy! Chewy! Freshly fried croquettes

Croquette 120 yen including tax

When you bite into a beautifully fried croquette, it's crispy! It sounds good.
The inside is fluffy and chewy.
You can really feel the flavor of the meat, and it's so delicious that you can't help but smile♪

5. “Dangoya” Kuromitsu Dango

Freshly baked and fragrant ♪ Hand-baked dumpling shop

When you pass in front of Dangoya, the pleasant aroma of freshly baked dango tickles your nose.
Just watching them being carefully hand-baked will whet your appetite!

Dumplings that bring out the flavor of rice

Dangoya's dango are made with domestic non-glutinous rice that "brings out the flavor of the rice."
It has a fluffy and chewy texture, and you can even taste the sweetness of the rice itself!

In fact, Ise specialty, black sugar syrup dumplings

Kuromitsu dango 130 yen including tax

When you think of dango covered in sauce, you might think of ``mitarashi dango,'' but ``kuromitsu dango'' has also been popular in Ise for a long time.
Please enjoy Ise's secret specialty with plenty of thick black sugar syrup♪

The rich sweetness of the brown sugar syrup, the chewy texture of the dumplings, and the aroma of freshly baked meat all come together for a delicious taste that you'll be addicted to once you try it!

6. “Okage-yokocho Shutoku Konbu” Golden Dashi

A long-established store that sells carefully selected kelp

"Shutoku Konbu" is a long-established konbu store founded in 1912 (Meiji 45).
The store sells kelp that has been carefully selected according to its purpose, such as dashi konbu, oboro konbu, yam konbu, and tsukudani konbu.

Oboro kelp hand-cut by craftsmen

Oboro Konbu is made from high-quality kelp from Hokkaido, which is pickled in a secret vinegar that has been used since the company's founding, and then carefully hand-sharpened one by one by craftsmen using a special knife.
This is a masterpiece with an elegant sweetness and flavor.

Enjoy high-quality kelp and bonito flakes - Golden dashi

Golden dashi 200 yen including tax

The ``Golden Dashi'' is made with Saketoku Konbu's carefully selected kelp and bonito flakes, and contains artisan-shaved oboro kelp.
You can enjoy the pleasant aroma of bonito and the gentle flavor of kelp♪

The oboro kelp that melts in the soup stock is a nice accent!

Enjoy the flavor of kelp in a variety of ways

In addition to the popular Oboro konbu, the store sells many other products, including salted kelp that can be enjoyed for a variety of purposes, such as as an accompaniment to rice or ochazuke, and kelp that can be used to make tsukudani and delicious soup stock.
You can enjoy the flavor of konbu in various ways at home♪

7. “Denbei” Cucumber Stick

Enjoy whole seasonal vegetables and fruits

Denbei was founded in 1846 when Denbei Iwao, a farmer, started preserving miso.
We are a pickle shop that has been making Ise takuan, which has been a popular preserved food for visitors IseJingu since the Edo period, while preserving the traditional manufacturing method.

At the store, we sell seasonal vegetables and fruits that are easy to enjoy.
Everything looks delicious and I can't stop looking at it♪

So delicious♪ Cucumber stick

Cucumber stick 150 yen including tax

``Cucumber sticks'' marinated with just the right amount of salt. The crunchy texture is irresistible!
It's a refreshing and juicy dish that you won't get tired of eating.

You can carry it with one hand, so it's perfect for walking around Okage-yokocho Yokocho♪

“Ise Takuan” has been loved since the Edo period

``Ise Takuan'' is a pickle made from locally grown ``Misono daikon radish'' that is slowly pickled for two to three years without using any additives such as preservatives, colorants, or sweeteners.​
Ise takuan can be purchased for 900 yen (tax included), and finely chopped ``kizami'' can be purchased for 360 yen (tax included).

Enjoy Ise's seasonal flavors with pickles

Denbei sells seasonal fresh vegetables grown in the Ise plains as pickles.
In the spring, there are Japanese mustard greens, in the summer there are eggplants, and in the winter there are pickles made with Asakuma small greens that only grow at the foot of Mt.Asama Asama in Ise.
All of them are fascinating!

8. “Wakamatsuya” Ise Hiryozu

Delicious and healthy kamaboko

"Wakamatsuya" is a long-established kamaboko shop founded in 1905 (Meiji 38).
Wakamatsuya kamaboko, known as ``Ise kamaboko,'' has been made using traditional methods and is loved by many local people.

Body-friendly manufacturing method

Wakamatsuya's kamaboko is made using a healthy method that does not use any chemical seasonings or preservatives, so you can eat it with confidence.

Excellent to eat! Ise Hiryouzu

Ise Hiryozu 400 yen including tax

``Hiryozu'' is ``ganmodoki'' in the Kanto region.

Ise Hiryozu is packed with 9 different ingredients, based on tofu and fish paste, 1. Hijiki, 2. Shiitake mushrooms, 3. Carrots, 4. Wood ear mushrooms, 5. Burdock, 6. Bamboo shoots, 7. Wakame, 8. Edamame, 9. Quail eggs. I'm doing it!

This is an extremely filling dish where you can enjoy the various flavors and textures of the ingredients.

9. Okage-yokocho map, parking lot, and access information

Okage-yokocho map

Okage-yokocho has over 50 shops and experience facilities lined up on a spacious site of approximately 13,000 square meters, and you'll find yourself wondering, "Which shop should I go to next?"
If you are not sure which store you want to go to, please refer to this article♪

Take a walk with a digital picture map!

When walking around Okage-yokocho, we recommend using a digital picture map.
Since it is linked to GPS, you can easily know where you are in Okage-yokocho.
You can walk around smoothly and think, ``I'm at this store now, so next time I'll go to this nearby store!''

About parking lot

There is no parking lot at Okage-yokocho, so please use a nearby paid parking lot!
Additionally, the roads surrounding IseJingu Naiku can be extremely congested during holidays and long weekends, so please be careful.
​"Rakuraku Ise Moude" is very convenient when checking the full/vacant parking lot information and road congestion around the IseJingu Naiku area!

Detailed information including access

This is an article introducing recommended shops where you can enjoy gourmet food and sweets while walking around Okage-yokocho!
All the shops are full of charm.
Please stop by after visiting IseJingu ♪

CBC TV “Yoshi Onii-san’s “Mie” recommendation!”

In the episode broadcast on November 30, 2022, Ai Yamamoto's Okage-yokocho "Oshi Gourmet" was introduced♪
Former gymnast ``Yoshio-niisan'' covers all over Mie Prefecture, and as a new reporter, he is spreading the word about Mie Prefecture's charms!
Be sure to tap the image below to watch the video!

Photography model: Ai Yamamoto profile

Born in 1995. Born in Mie Prefecture. Her main appearances include the drama “Hiyama Kentaro no Pregnancy” (2022), the movie “Sound in Ai” (2021), and the music video Macaroni Pencil “Hope” (2020). Currently, the short film "Wait there..." (2022) starring him is being distributed on YouTube.

Article production: MSLP