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More than 96% of Ise-Shima National Park's land is privately owned, making inhabited and working landscapes central to the park's identity.
Forest water and nutrients flow toward coastal seaweed beds that support fish and shellfish, linking Ise-Shima's terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Toba and Shima together retain Japan's largest concentration of ama, free-divers who traditionally harvest abalone and other shellfish.
The decorative noshi still placed on Japanese celebratory gifts traces its origins to noshi-awabi, strips of stretched and dried abalone.
About 4,000–4,500 abalone each year are used in the traditional preparation of noshi-awabi associated with offerings to Ise Jingu.
Ise Jingu has offered meals to the deities every morning and evening for approximately 1,500 years.
In 1923, Ise Jingu began a 200-year forest plan designed to eventually grow its own centuries-old hinoki cypress for future shrine rebuilding.
During Sugashima's Shirongo Festival, a normally closed fishing ground is opened so ama can harvest abalone for a sacred offering.
Ago Bay's intricate ria coastline formed when seawater entered former river valleys, creating the sheltered coves later used for pearl cultivation.
Kokichi Mikimoto successfully produced cultured hemispherical pearls in Ago Bay in 1893, helping launch the region's modern pearl industry.
Ise Jingu is a complex of approximately 125 shrines rather than a single shrine, with Naiku and Geku forming its best-known centers.
The first recorded Shikinen Sengu was held in 690, beginning the tradition of periodically rebuilding Ise Jingu's principal sanctuaries.
Around 850 plant species have been recorded in the Jingu forest, an extensive warm-temperate woodland surrounding Japan's most important Shinto sanctuary.
Shima was historically known as Miketsukuni, a region valued for supplying seafood and other foods to the imperial court and Ise Jingu.
Ise udon's unusually thick, very soft noodles are traditionally associated with efficiently feeding large numbers of pilgrims visiting Ise.
Rocky shores and underwater seaweed forests support abalone, turban shells, octopus and Ise lobster, helping explain the peninsula's famous seafood culture.
Futamiura historically served as a purification stop where pilgrims cleansed themselves in seawater before continuing to Ise Jingu.
Around the summer solstice, sunrise can appear between Meoto Iwa, with distant Mount Fuji sometimes visible on exceptionally clear mornings.
Loggerhead sea turtles still come ashore to lay eggs on sandy beaches within Ise-Shima National Park.
Restoration projects in Ago Bay are rebuilding tidal flats to recover habitat and some of the natural water-purification functions of coastal ecosystems.
Fishing communities around the park actively restore damaged seaweed beds because these underwater forests are essential habitat for valuable marine life.
Ishigami-san in Osatsu grew from the faith of ama women, who traditionally prayed there believing the deity would grant one wish to a woman.
Tekone-zushi developed from Ise-Shima fishing culture, combining soy-marinated bonito or tuna with vinegared rice.
Houses in the coastal village of Kou use living maki hedges to reduce wind and blowing sand, turning vegetation into part of the village's weather protection.
Ise-Shima National Park's highest point is Asamayama at only 555 meters, emphasizing a park defined by coast, forest and culture rather than altitude.
Noshi decorations on Japanese celebratory gifts trace back to thin strips of dried abalone offered at Ise Jingu.
Ise Jingu still prepares dried abalone offerings in Kuzaki, using methods linked to a local ama-diver legend.
Ise Jingu prepares ceremonial salt from seawater using a traditional process involving evaporation and firing.
The Shirongo Festival begins with a conch-shell call as ama divers seek abalone for a sacred offering.
Ise Jingu's Shikinen Sengu rebuilding tradition helps pass traditional carpentry skills across generations.
Ise udon's unusually soft noodles are traditionally linked to serving large numbers of shrine pilgrims quickly.
At Ise Jingu, food is offered to the deities every morning and evening as part of a living ritual tradition.
Ise-Shima's Ishigami-san shrine is associated with the belief that a woman's wish may be granted.
