Enjoy Okage-yokocho with your dog 🐕 The Ringoro Shiba Inu family takes a walk at a great deal with the “Okage Inu Experience”! Advertisement

▼Table of contents

• What are “Okage Inu” and “Dog Okage Mairi”?
• Let's enjoy the Okage dog experience at Okage-yokocho!
• First, go to “Omiyageya”
• Enjoy Ise's famous Ise-Udon at "Fukusuke" 
• Eating with your dog at “Noasobi Tana”
• Get Okage Inu Sable at “Isuzu Chaya”
• You can also visit the shrine with your dog! “Pet custody dog stay (Wanpaku)”
• Other walking spots
• Check out the details of the Okage Inu experience on YouTube!

What are “Okage Inu” and “Dog Okage Mairi”?

During the Edo period, millions of people are said to have visited Ise every few months for the ``Okage Mairi''.

However, there are some people who are sick and unable to go to pray for blessings even if they wish to do so, and the dogs that visit Ise in place of their masters are called ``okage-inu.''​

In addition, ``dog Okage-mairi'' is said to have become popular in the latter half of the Edo period, when dogs were sent out with money tied to their necks and a note saying they were going to visit Ise. They were also called ``Dog Representatives'' because they would visit Ise Shrine on behalf of their masters.

It is said that giving alms to Okage-inu was considered a virtue in itself, so people along the way provided various support to Okage-inu and assisted them on their Ise pilgrimage.

Let's enjoy the Okage dog experience at Okage-yokocho!

In addition to the ``Okage Inu'' and ``Dog Okage Mairi'' introduced above, you can also enjoy the ``Okage Inu Experience'', an activity that you can participate in with your dog at Okage-yokocho in Ise IseCity.

As you go west through Okage-yokocho, there is a bridge over a small waterway on your left. Just beyond that bridge is Iseji Saien.

Purchase a shimenawa collar here and put it on your dog. The size of the collar can be selected depending on the size of the dog.

Advance reservations are basically required for the Okage Inu experience, but same-day reservations are also possible (if products are available).
*Please make reservations by 9:00 on the day of the event. Please also pay on-site on the day.

Also, if you sign up for the Okage Inu experience, you will receive benefits such as ``Otoku-upon'' and ``Okage Inu Sable'' that can be used at various shops. Let's explore Okage-yokocho with your dog while taking advantage of these benefits!

First, go to “Omiyageya”

The first place we arrived at was Omiyageya, which sells a lot of Okage dog goods. Immediately try the ``Okage Inu Fortune'' using the Toku-pon. As a result, Nakayoshi said, ``If you work hard, you will succeed.'' (Who is this really meant for? lol)

The souvenir shop has a wide variety of Okage dog goods.

My family fell in love with it at first sight and bought a tissue case, strap, and amulet. (All for my father)

Enjoy Ise's famous Ise-Udon at "Fukusuke"

I was getting hungry, so I went to Fukusuke to eat Ise's specialty, Ise-Udon.

Pets are not allowed inside the store, but if you order, they will bring Ise-Udon to your seat outside.

My family ordered Tsukimi Ise-Udon. The chewy noodles, tamari soy sauce, and runny egg are irresistible. It was delicious and I was able to fill my stomach ♪

Eating with your dog at “Noasobi Tana”

After filling our stomachs with Ise-Udon, we headed to ``Noasobi Tana'' where you can not only enjoy Kamado rice but also get treats for your dog.

Pets are also not allowed inside the store, but you can join them on the outside terrace.

*If you lay out a sheet, your dog can also climb onto the tatami mat.

When ordering food at Noasobi Rack, you can choose treats for your dog. You can choose two of your favorite snacks from four types, and at my house we chose chicken and fish. When the snack arrived, I immediately gave it to Ringo and he ate it all in seconds. lol

My family ordered Matsusaka beef rice balls and pork soup.

The fluffy rice cooked in the pot and the juicy Matsusaka beef are irresistible, and my daughter is very happy with it. lol

If you visit the field play shelf, you will receive the ``Somin future wooden tag''.
*The exchange ticket is included in the drawstring bag of the Shimenawa collar.

In the Ise-Shima region of Mie Prefecture, there is a custom of displaying shimenawa all year round. It has the meaning of ``the home of the descendants of Somin,'' and it is said that by displaying it at the entrance, it will exorcise evil spirits. Since it is easy to carry, it can also be used as a talisman.

You can also receive a "Thank You Dog Certificate" when you order a meal or takeout worth 2,000 yen or more.

It also serves as a proof that you strolled around Okage-yokocho with your dog, so be sure to get one♪

Get Okage Inu Sable at “Isuzu Chaya”

If you go to "Isuzu Chaya Isuzugawa branch" next to Noasobi Tana, you will receive one Okage Inu Sable.
*The exchange ticket is included in the drawstring bag of the Shimenawa collar.

The sub looks like this. When you take a bite, the aroma of fragrant flour and the flavor of butter will fill your mouth.

Am I the only one who feels it's too cute to eat? (I thought that, but my daughter ate it right away lol)

You can also visit the shrine with your dog! “Pet custody dog stay (Wanpaku)”

Next, I came to ``Wanpaku Ise Naiku Branch'' located in front of IseJingu Naiku.

Since you may not be able to bring your pet with you to IseJingu Grand Shrine Naiku, Wanpaku has a ``temporary pet care facility'' when you visit IseJingu Grand Shrine Naiku. The fees are as follows, and when you take your dog into custody, please have a ``rabies and vaccination certificate (within one year)'' and ``owner's ID'' ready.

You can also rent a pet buggy for 770 yen/hour.

*Please let us know your expected return time at reception.
*The area around Naiku is very crowded with both cars and people, so buggies must be operated by an adult.
*Rental locations are only available around Naiku area. Please refrain from taking it out without permission.

For these details, please check the official website introduced below.

There's also the Wanpaku Shrine, which you can visit with your dog!

If you think that your dog is not allowed in IseJingu, why not visit Wanpaku Shrine with your dog?

Our whole family visits the shrine to pray for Ringo's health.

Wanpaku Shrine also offers dog fortunes, dog-shaped votive tablets, and original stamp services.

My family decided to write a request like this on the ema.

“I hope your apple wax is doing well.”

My 4 year old daughter loves Ringo. He wrote an ema for Ringo to wish him well.

Other walking spots

This is a popular photo spot in Okage-yokocho, and the ``beckoning cat'' is also the symbol of Okage-yokocho.

Let's touch it so that we can bring some good luck home. lol

​This article introduces the location of Okage-yokocho 's symbol ``beckoning cat''.

If you want to take a break from exploring Okage-yokocho, we recommend taking a walk along the crystal clear Isuzu River.

Ringoro also moved around a lot with carts, so it was the perfect spot for a change of scenery.

Check out the details of the Okage Inu experience on YouTube!

This time we did the Okage dog experience, and it was a very enjoyable activity for those who are visiting Ise with their dogs.

My family lives in Mie and we come to IseJingu every year with Ringoro, but this was our first experience with an Okage dog.

At first I was excited to see what it would be like, but I was able to explore more than I expected and was very satisfied.

By the way, as mentioned above, the contents of the Okage Inu experience change each time, and there is also a discount service for repeat customers.

(Bring the shimenawa collar you bought for the first time and exchange only the shimenawa. Old shimenawa can be exorcised at Uji Shrine.)

The Okage Inu experience can be enjoyed by both first-timers and repeat visitors, so if you are visiting Ise with your dog, please give it a try!

This time's thanks dog experience is also uploaded on YouTube video, so please take a look if you like.

Be sure to tap the image below to watch the video!