Ise Grand Shrine
伊勢神宮 · Ise, Mie
Japan's foremost shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu: cross the Uji Bridge into two thousand years of forest and prayer.
Know before you go
- Photography is banned at the innermost part of the main sanctuaries — take photos only outside the designated points
- walk at the side of the approach, as the centre is the gods' path
- don't speak loudly
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
Yamatohime-no-mikoto searches for a home for Amaterasu
The Nihon Shoki records that about two thousand years ago, Yamatohime-no-mikoto, daughter of Emperor Suinin, set out from Mount Miwa in Nara to find a permanent place to worship Amaterasu, ancestral deity of the imperial family; after twenty years of wandering through Ōmi, Mino and other provinces, she finally came to Ise.
Source: Wikipedia: Ise Grand Shrine
History
The great ceremony held every twenty years
Ise Jingū holds a great ceremony every twenty years. Historical records show that during the ceremony of 1625, 3.62 million people came to worship within 50 days; in 1829, 1.18 million came in just three days.
Source: Wikipedia: Ise Grand Shrine
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Ise Jingū centres on two main shrines: the Inner Shrine (Naikū), dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, and the Outer Shrine (Gekū), dedicated to Toyouke, goddess of grain, with 123 related shrines around them. Every 20 years the shrine holds its great ceremony and rebuilds the main sanctuaries; records say that during the ceremony of 1625, 3.62 million people came to worship within 50 days.
Local customs
- The traditional order is to visit the Outer Shrine first, then the Inner Shrine
- bow at the end of the Uji Bridge before crossing
- you can purify your hands in the Isuzu River in front of the Inner Shrine
Religion & beliefs
- Shinto's most important shrine
- the Inner Shrine enshrines Amaterasu, ancestral deity of the imperial family.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Photography is banned at the innermost part of the main sanctuaries — take photos only outside the designated points
- walk at the side of the approach, as the centre is the gods' path
- don't speak loudly
Locals appreciate DO
Locals appreciate visitors who worship in the traditional order and take their time eating and drinking in Okage Yokochō, the shrine-front town.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Early morning |
|---|---|
| Time needed | Half a day to a full day |
Travel tips
- The Inner and Outer Shrines are about 6 km apart, linked by bus
- visit early in the morning when it's quiet and the forest air is fresh
- with the shrine-front town, allow half a day to a full day
Photos
Photos
Zairon · CC BY 4.0
Yanajin33 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & verification notes
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