Ise-jingu Shrine伊勢神宮

The shrine dedicated to the Sun Goddess is one of Japan's most famous. Bustling with worshippers from ancient times to present day.

Ise-Jingu Shrine is at the core of sightseeing in Ise. It is simply referred to as Jingu (the Shrine) as an official name, and the Sun Goddess Amaterasu O-mikami is enshrined there. Over seven million worshippers visit the shrine every year. The main shrine has an elevated floor in the 'yuiitsu-shinmei-zukuri' style, which is the oldest style of shrine architecture.

The inner shrine in Ise-jingu Shrine was said to have been established in 4 B.C., and the shrine town has continued to develop since then. Many annual rituals are celebrated at the shrine. The most prominent festival is the Sengu Festival, associated with the Shikinen-sengu Ceremony, which involves the installation of the deity in a new shrine with due ceremony. This festival is held every 20 years when shrine buildings are rebuilt and the deity is transferred from the old shrine to the new shrine. There are many other rituals and ceremonies performed at this shrine that have been handed down from ancient times.

It is customary to worship from the Gekuu (Outer Shrine). You purify your hands and mouth at the Temizu-sha washbasin and then worship at the Shoguu (Main Shrine). The nearby Magatama-ike Pond is a spot for relaxation and recreation enjoyed by the local people. You take a bus from Gekuu for 20 minutes to reach Uji-bashi Bridge, gateway to the Naikuu (Inner Shrine). This bridge is said to span the secular and sacred worlds. You will see another washbasin along the Mitarashi-gawa River, where you should again purify your hands and mouth before approaching the Shoguu.