Ise-Shima
Ise-Shima is a region where rich natural environments and traditional culture merge, possessing a unique charm as a MICE venue. The beautiful coastline represented by Ago Bay, the mild climate, and cultural landmarks starting with the Ise Jingu Shrine leave a deep impression on participants.
Especially, having been the host location for the G7 Summit in 2016 garnered global attention, proving its high capacity for managing international conferences and events. A characteristic feature is the many facilities designed to maximize the natural scenery, allowing views of beautiful seas and lush mountains through the windows.
As nearly the entire area is designated as a national park, the richness of nature is remarkable. Despite limitations in accessibility and facility size, this allows for events to be held in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the usual hustle and bustle. It is perfect for hosting small to medium-sized resort-type MICE events, such as incentive travel and executive retreats.
Special Experience
Pearl Harvesting Experience
Ise-Shima is where pearl cultivation technology was first established in the world.
Since then, this area has carried on its history as a major production site for pearls. You can also experience extracting pearls directly from the oysters, making it the perfect activity for an incentive travel.
Ise Jingu Shrine
Ise Jingu Shrine boasts a history of over 2000 years and stands as a special shrine at the pinnacle of all the more than 100,000 shrines in Japan. It is the perfect place to deeply experience Japanese spirituality and culture. Surrounded by forest and in a solemn atmosphere, it offers an ideal setting to refresh a weary mind from business activities.
Official Website: Ise Jingu
Toba Aquarium
Among the numerous aquariums in Japan, Toba Aquarium boasts the highest number of exhibited species in the country, with 1,200 types of marine life. Compared to other aquariums, its popularity among adult visitors also supports MICE visits. After hours, it's possible to rent the facility, making it a unique venue for receptions.
Official Website: Toba Aquarium
Nature Experience
Above all, the natural environment of Ise-Shima serves as its premier activity. Kayaking tours and trekking along the intricate and beautiful coastline of Ago Bay offer perfect opportunities for team building.
MICE Facilities
Amanemu
In Ise-Shima, known for its resort-type MICE capabilities, Amanemu is a facility that often comes to mind first. Interpreting the traditional Japanese ryokan through the philosophy of Aman Resorts, this facility offers Aman quality spa treatments and Japanese hot springs in a single experience, providing a supreme retreat experience. With private spaces that can accommodate groups of several dozen people, it is the perfect facility for incentive travel or executive meetings.
Official Website
NEMU RESORT
The feature of NEMU RESORT is its vast 3,000,000 square meter grounds and the abundance of activities that use this space. Amanemu, as mentioned earlier, is one of the facilities in this resort. With a spa, pool, golf, and marina, it can be said that the resort is fully equipped for activities. Besides indoor banquet rooms for meetings and events, planning an event utilizing the expansive outdoor spaces might also be a good idea.
Official Website
Shima Kanko Hotel
Shima Kanko Hotel, which opened in 1951, is a well-established hotel representing Ise-Shima. This hotel, which has welcomed numerous distinguished guests including Emperor Showa, also served as a venue for the G7 Summit in 2016. It features a classic design suitable for summit venues, offering meeting rooms for small groups to banquet rooms that can accommodate up to 750 people. This facility is recommended for medium-sized MICE events that prioritize formality.
Official Website
Toba International Hotel & Shiojitei
Toba International Hotel, having celebrated 60 years since its opening, is a prestigious hotel with a history of hosting the Japanese Imperial Family and Queen Elizabeth. Its proximity to urban areas and a mere 25-minute drive to Ise Jingu Shrine add to its appeal. The hotel is equipped with five banquet and meeting rooms of various sizes to accommodate different event scales. In addition to the modern hotel-style main building, the adjacent Shiojitei offers traditional Japanese ryokan-style accommodations. It's a convenient facility that balances the accessibility of event and party venues with the traditional comfort of Japan.
Official Website: Toba International Hotel
Official Website: Shiojitei
Future of Ise-Shima
In recent years, the Kintetsu Group, which focuses on railway operations in the Kansai area, has been revitalizing its leisure business in the Ise-Shima area.
For the Kintetsu Group, the Ise-Shima area is the most crucial region for its tourism business. It has been at the forefront of resort business development in the area, including the Shima Kanko Hotel, which was a venue for the G7 Summit.
As the number of visitors to Japan recovers after the pandemic, a new subsidiary will be established to oversee the leisure business, with plans to advance development to meet this demand.
Furthermore, the Wealth Management Group, which primarily operates urban hotels in Osaka and Kyoto, acquired over 100,000 square meters of land in Toba City in 2023. Plans include the development of a resort hotel on this site.
MICE Case Study
G7 Summit
The highlight of MICE in Ise-Shima is undoubtedly the hosting of the G7 Summit. It was held in 2016 at the Shima Kanko Hotel on Kashikojima as the main venue. In 2023, the G7 Transport Ministers' Meeting was also held at the same venue, demonstrating that Ise-Shima is fully capable of hosting MICE events where formality is required.
Retreat Tours
For MICE events in Ise-Shima, incentive travel and business meetings are highly recommended. The resort facilities offer a variety of activities and retreat programs utilizing their extensive grounds, making it the ideal area to rejuvenate in a relaxed atmosphere.
Golf Tourism Convention
Golf, an activity that pairs well with resorts, saw its first Golf Tourism Convention held in Ise-Shima in 2019, marking the first such event in Japan. Mie Prefecture, where Ise-Shima is located, has long been working on attracting inbound tourists through golf, and this event was a recognition of those efforts.
DMO & Visitor Bureau
Ise-Shima Tourism Convention Organization
Overview
The Ise-Shima Tourism Convention Organization is an entity that works towards the promotion of tourism in the Ise-Shima area, in collaboration with municipalities, accommodation businesses, and transportation providers, both public and private. It offers various model courses and event information, supporting tourists in effectively enjoying the area.
Official Website
Service
They provide various support from the planning and preparation stages to after the MICE event.
Main support services include:
- Introduction of venues, support for preliminary inspections
- Introduction of related businesses
- Coordination with administrative organizations and others
- Introduction of tourism and guides after the MICE event