Many people may think of "Ise Shrine" when they hear the word "Ise. This time, we dared not go to Ise Shrine, but instead experienced a work vacation to enjoy Ise Udon noodle eating contest and Ise Kawasaki Merchant's Museum while putting our work firmly in order.
Owner's Proposal
We arrived at Ise-shi Station around 11:00. Since "Business Hotel Yamamoto," where we are staying, is a 3-minute walk from Ise-shi Station, we will not use a car this time.
First of all, walk along the "Geku Sando" right in front of Ise-shi Station. It is not easy to see, but the outer shrine of Ise Jingu is at the far end of the photo. Some of the stores have been around for a long time, and others have been recently opened, making it a fun street to just walk around.
After a short walk, we will do some simple work such as checking and replying to e-mails at a café with Wi-Fi access.
At 1:00 p.m. I arrived at the "Business Hotel Yamamoto" where I would be staying today. Check-in time is from 4:00 p.m., but when I called to make a reservation, I was told that I could leave my luggage and borrow a bicycle, so although it was quite early, I went to drop off my luggage.
※Please call in advance to discuss luggage storage and bicycle rental prior to check-in.
The owner, Masanori Yamamoto, is an active person who is also the chairman of an NPO and a disaster prevention coordinator. He wants to enliven the entire community and is trying to work on various projects in cooperation with restaurants.
When we called them this time to request a stay as a work vacation, they made a number of suggestions based on our request.
One of them is "Ise Udon eating comparison. Mr. Yamamoto says, "The taste of Ise udon differs from store to store, so I encourage you to compare them. Ise may be the only place where you can do that.
有意思，'她想，'我会试一试。
According to Mr. Yamamoto, "I would like to plan according to the needs of those who stay at the hotel for work vacations. If you are planning a work vacation in Ise, please stay at Business Hotel Yamamoto and consult with the owner. You will be able to hear about local ideas and stories.
Ise Udon Noodles 1st meal and Ise Kawasaki Merchant Museum
Since I had not yet eaten lunch, I rented a bicycle at the hotel and went to Yamaguchiya, one of several restaurants introduced to me by Mr. Yamamoto. It is located about 2 minutes by bicycle from Business Hotel Yamamoto. There were many autographs in the store.
This is the "Local Food Set," limited to 20 servings a day. In addition to Ise udon, the set includes "tekonezushi" (pickled bonito matched with vinegared rice and ginger) and "Same no tare" (dried shark meat grilled plump).
The homemade sauce made from bonito flakes, mackerel flakes, and niboshi had a strong seafood flavor, and despite its apparent blackness, it was so refreshing that one could drink it down to the last drop. The homemade noodles made from ayahikari (a type of rice grown in Japan) were very tasty with a firm texture.
The photo shows Atsushi Yamaguchi, the third-generation owner of Yamaguchiya. He says that many of his customers are from outside of the prefecture. His gentle tone and atmosphere were impressive.
After leaving Yamaguchiya, we visited the Ise-Kawasaki Merchant Hall, a 10-minute bicycle ride away, which was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 2001. The building was donated, the site was acquired by Ise City, repairs were made, and the building was opened as Ise-Kawasaki Merchant Hall in 2002.
It is managed and operated by "NPO Isekawasaki Community Development Group". Looking at rooms and objects from the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho periods, you will feel as if you have gone back in time.
The museum has valuable exhibits and buildings, such as "Yamada Hasho," Japan's oldest banknote, and a cider filtration facility that was manufactured from 1909 to early 1975, allowing visitors to experience the power and nostalgia of the merchants who were involved in the development of the town.
Six hours of work and a bowl of beefsteak
After being motivated about business and community development at the Ise-Kawasaki Merchant Museum, I rode my bicycle 12 minutes back to the Business Hotel Yamamoto.
Before the word "workcation" was coined, a client requested a large table on which to place drawings, and the room is equipped with a solid, spacious desk.
Using this table, we concentrated on paperwork and other administrative tasks for about three hours until the meal.
Around 7:00 p.m., we will have dinner at "Butasute", a 3-minute walk from the hotel. Butasute is a long-established Wagyu beef specialty restaurant in Ise City, and they deal only in heifers that have been carefully fattened by exclusive contract farmers in the suburbs of Ise.
There are four stores in Mie Prefecture and one in Tokyo. This "Geku-mae store" branch is famous for its beef bowl, but since I had worked hard, I was excited and ordered the beefsteak bowl. The tender steak with just the right amount of fat and the sweet and spicy sauce stimulated my appetite, and I finished it in one bite.
After returning to the hotel and taking a shower, I worked with gusto from 9:00 p.m. to 24:00 p.m., doing proposal writing and other work. Because I was able to really concentrate on my work, I was able to finish in a total of 6 hours, 3 hours in the evening and 3 hours at night, what normally takes 2 days to complete.
Enjoyed second meal of Ise Udon
The next morning, I checked out at 10:00. I spent about 2 hours at the cafe replying to e-mails and gathering information. We were told that we could keep our luggage and borrow bicycles after check-out, so please contact Mr. Yamamoto.
For lunch on the second day, we went to "Jirober," a one-minute walk from "Business Hotel Yamamoto. This is one of the restaurants introduced to us by Mr. Yamamoto.
The restaurant has five counter seats and two table seats.
2日目のお昼は「ビジネスホテル山本」から徒歩1分のところにある「じろべえ」へ。ここも山本さんにご紹介いただいたお店の中の1つです。 For lunch on the second day, we went to "Jirober," a one-minute walk from "Business Hotel Yamamoto. This is one of the restaurants introduced to us by Mr. Yamamoto.
店内は、カウンター席5つとテーブル席2つ。 The restaurant has five counter seats and two table seats.
注文したのは「月見伊勢うどん」。そういえば伊勢うどんに卵を入れたことなかったなぁと思い、これを注文しました。 I ordered the Tsukimi Ise Udon. I thought to myself, "I've never put an egg in my Ise Udon," so I ordered this one.
1日目の山口屋と比べて、麺はやわらかめで、タレは甘め。確かに同じ伊勢うどんでも味が全然違います。甘めのタレに卵がからんで癖になる美味しさでした。 Compared to Yamaguchiya on the first day, the noodles are softer and the sauce is sweeter. It is true that even though they are the same Ise udon, the taste is completely different. The egg in the sweet sauce was addictive and delicious.
The proprietor and proprietress of "Jirobeh." The restaurant is 15 years old and was started by the couple, as the landlady had worked in restaurants for many years. The "Mekabu Ise Udon" on the menu is said to be made with Mekabu from Toshijima, where the proprietress is from, so I thought I would like to try Mekabu the next time I go there. I was impressed by their friendly conversation with customers.
Finally, we ended our workcation by purchasing souvenirs at the Geku Sando to the shrine. I was able to concentrate on my work and achieve good results during this work vacation. I was also able to have an interesting experience unique to Ise, the "Ise Udon Udon Eating Contest," and was very satisfied with my work vacation.
An example of how to spend your time
Day 1
11:00 Arrive at Ise-shi Station.
While wandering along the approach to the Geku shrine, I check my e-mail at a café.
13:00 Arrive at Business Hotel Yamamoto.
They take care of my luggage and let me borrow a bicycle.
13:10 Lunch at Yamaguchiya.
14:00 After wandering around the Kawasaki area, visit the Ise-Kawasaki Merchant's Museum to learn about the history of the area.
16:00 Return to the hotel and check in.
Work on paperwork, check e-mail, etc.
19:00 Have dinner at "Butasute".
20:00 Return to the hotel and take a bath.
21:00 Work on a proposal.
24:30 Bedtime.
Day 2
8:30 Wake up
10:00 Check out
10:10 Work at the cafe, replying to e-mails, etc.
12:00 Lunch at "Jirobeh".
13:00 Purchase souvenirs at a store near Ise-shi Station.
13:40 Board a train at Ise-shi Station and end my workday.
Facilities
Business Hotel Yamamoto
6-19 Honmachi, Ise-shi, Mie 516-0074
Ise Udon Yamaguchiya
1-1-18 Miyago, Ise-shi, Mie 516-0072
Ise-Kawasaki Merchant Hall
2-25-32, Kawasaki, Ise-shi, Mie 516-0009, Japan
Butasute Geku-mae Store
1-1-33, Iwabuchi 1-chome, Ise-shi, Mie 516-0037, Japan
Jirober
6-11 Honmachi, Ise-shi, Mie 516-0074