A casual standing sake bar — Haku-Taka Miyake Shoten in Ise, Mie (near Ise Grand Shrine)

I visited Ise Grand Shrine

Not sure how many years it’s been since my last visit to Ise Grand Shrine…
Too bad it’s raining a bit…

I was thinking about renting a car, but someone told me the train would actually be faster. So, I switched to the Kintetsu line at Nagoya Station and off we went!

Guess I’ll just take it easy and go by train.

The industrial complex in Yokkaichi—I think I learned about it back in elementary school or something.

About an hour and a half of rocking along on the train…

Finally, we arrived at Isuzugawa Station, the closest stop!

From there, we took a bus to the Inner Shrine (Naiku).

Since it was a holiday, it was pretty crowded.

We arrived a little after 4 PM, and apparently the morning was peak time with crazy crowds!

There were food spots everywhere that caught my eye—Matsusaka beef croquettes, grilled oysters, and more.

Hmm… I also wanted to try Ise udon.

But every place had a line.

Turns out the last bus back to the station leaves at 6:30 PM.
Miss that, and it’s either a taxi or a long walk…

Walking an hour to the station? Yeah, that’s a bit too much.

Spotted a shop lined with taru sake barrels—couldn’t resist, so we headed inside right away.

@Haku-Taka Miyake Shoten

The scent of cypress in the air is so calming.

Apparently, this is the only shop that carries Haku-Taka, the sake used as an offering at Ise Grand Shrine.

Haku-Taka is brewed in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, and you can even enjoy a quick standing drink here.

A quick stand-up sake—love it! Let’s have a glass as a little sacred sake offering.

A 5-shaku pour of Jingu Goryo sake, Haku-Taka.

Comes with a little Iwatō salt—perfect for nibbling alongside.

Around Okage Yokocho, there are plenty of spots where you can do a little standing bar hopping.
Tempting, but this time the main goal is visiting the shrine, so I’ll pass… for now!