Part of going to Kotai Jingu (Ise Jingu Naiku, Inner Sanctuary), is to pass by a street market known as Oharaimachi.
Here you'll enjoy the architecture, traditional buildings, shops and restaurants.
If you're into collecting cups and ceramics, you'll definitely find an item on this street.
Visit Momenya Ai (もめんや藍) to see Matsusaka cotton indigo-dyed striped fabric, including stuffed toys, bags, kimonos, etc. [Reference]
Some toys and traditional items.
In case you missed to bring your hat during your visit, get one here.
Local sake from Mie.
Here are some of the cafes and restaurants I have visited:
Isuzugawa Café 五十鈴川カフェ
12 Ujinakanokiricho, Ise, Mie 516-8558, Japan
This elevated cafe gives an incredible view of Isuzu River outside. An old building that has an amazing traditional interior on the inside. The calming atmosphere of Isuzugawa Café makes it a great place to dine-in.
If you are visiting with a larger group, they have dedicated areas for that.
Got their breakfast set for a great value of only 700 yen (260 php, 2024), that includes hot Americano, toasted bread, butter, condensed milk, egg, and yoghurt.
This traditional old building also has a tatami-floored area.
This is where I prepared and wrote my messages on the postcards to be sent to me and my sister, since the post office is just nearby.
I also got their drip-coffee as a returning gift (omiyage).
松阪牛炭火焼肉 伊勢十 YAKINIKU ISEJU
Japan, 〒516-0025 Mie, Ise, Ujinakanokiricho, 92−9 2階
I actually planned to dine-in and cook Matsusaka meat here. But I also want to try more sweets on the street.
Luckily they offer a smaller serving of Matsusaka beef (cup beef bowl, eating while walking) for only 300 yen. (112 php, 2024)
Matsusaka beef, another luxurious Japanese beef variety. It's the meat of Japanese black cattle reared under strict conditions in the Matsusaka region of Mie. It has a high fat-to-meat ratio. [Reference]
Starbucks Coffee - Ise Naiku-mae
スターバックスコーヒー 伊勢 内宮前店
Japan, 516-0024 Mie, Ise, Ujiimazaikecho, 中賀集楽３７−４
If Starbucks - Kyoto Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya is too crowded for you. Try to visit Starbucks - Ise Naiku-mae instead.
The store features a traditional Edo-era facade, elegant Japanese shop door curtains at the entrance, and onigawara, Japanese gargoyle tiles, to decorate the roof.
On the upper floor, quiet spaces set apart from the busy street offer a tranquil place for customers to enjoy a cup of coffee while enjoying both rich natural views and windows overlooking the beautiful townscape. [Reference]
This branch is included in the Starbucks Store Design Book (published 2023)
Visited in July, during the start of summer. Got myself a limited-edition drink Banana Brulee Frappuccino. Very tasty and yummy with ripe bananas at the bottom. However, seems not so healthy especially if you are reducing your sugar because this flavor includes burnt sugar (of course it's name is brulee).
SNOOPY Village 伊勢
64 Ujiimazaikecho, Ise, Mie 516-0024, Japan
We already tried pudding in Snoppy chaya in Nishiki Market in Kyoto in 2023.
This time I ordered Snoopy-yaki. It's like the Japanese sweet Taiyaki, but instead of fish-shaped, it's Snoopy-shaped. Got the red bean flavor.
Koujiya pudding honpo, oharaimachi-ten
糀ぷりん本舗 おはらい町店
Since I'm collecting pudding bottle for my indoor plants, thus, I also bought this yummy one.
Okage Yokocho
There is also a small district known as Okage Yokocho, that recreates an old town from the past Japanese periods.
Apart from shops and restaurants, the area also included activities such as fishing and shateki.
Shateki is like a light gun/rifle shooting (using cork or paper button bullets) to take down prizes like candies, biscuits or toys.
Pet friendly
Some locals brought their pet dogs. Just be careful and keep distant if you're afraid of them.
Also, shops here have their pet cats.
When to visit Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho?
You prefer a quiet road to focus on the architecture and traditional roofs, go there early morning or evening.
The place gets too crowded at the middle of the day, mostly with locals, lining up for mochi and udon.
There were less foreign travellers in this area during my visit.
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