%20--%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cstyle%3e%20.st0%20{%20fill:%20%23fff;%20}%20.st1%20{%20fill:%20%23333;%20}%20%3c/style%3e%3c/defs%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M50,25c0,13.8-11.2,25-25,25S0,38.8,0,25,11.2,0,25,0s25,11.2,25,25'/%3e%3cpath%20class='st1'%20d='M24.9,38.3c-1.5,0-2.4-.9-2.8-2.5l-.2-1.1-1,.6s-.6.4-1.4.4-.6,0-.9-.2c-.6-.3-1-.7-1.2-1.3-.2-.6-.2-1.2,0-1.8,0,0,.1-.2.6-.7l4.7-3.8c.4.3.7.5,1.1.6v1.5c0,.6.5,1.2,1.1,1.2s1.1-.5,1.1-1.1v-1.6c.4-.1.8-.3,1.1-.6l4.7,3.8c.5.5.6.7.6.7.2.5.3,1.2,0,1.8s-.6,1.1-1.2,1.3c-.3.1-.6.2-.9.2-.8,0-1.4-.4-1.4-.4l-1-.6-.2,1.1c-.3,1.6-1.2,2.4-2.8,2.5h-.2,0ZM35.5,31.2c-.6,0-1,0-1.3-.3l-5.8-4.5c0,0,0-.2,0-.2h2.6c.6,0,1.1-.5,1.1-1.1s-.5-1.1-1.1-1.1h-2.6s0-.1,0-.2l5.8-4.5c.3-.2.7-.3,1.3-.3,1.6,0,2.8,1.3,2.8,3v.9h.9c0,0,.5-.1.6-.1,1.2,0,2.3,1.1,2.3,2.4h0c0,1.4-1,2.5-2.3,2.5s-.6,0-.6,0h-.9c0,0,0,.8,0,.8,0,1.6-1.3,3-2.8,3M14.6,31.2c-1.6,0-2.8-1.3-2.8-3v-.9h-.9c0,0-.5.1-.6.1-1.2,0-2.3-1.1-2.3-2.4h0c0-1.4,1-2.5,2.3-2.5s.6,0,.6,0h.9c0,0,0-.8,0-.8,0-1.6,1.3-3,2.8-3s1,0,1.3.3l5.7,4.5c0,0,0,.2,0,.2h-2.6c-.6,0-1.1.5-1.1,1.1s.5,1.1,1.1,1.1h2.6s0,.1,0,.2l-5.8,4.5c-.3.2-.7.3-1.3.3M25,26.6c-.9,0-1.6-.7-1.6-1.6s.7-1.6,1.6-1.6,1.6.7,1.6,1.6-.7,1.6-1.6,1.6M18.1,18.4c-.5-.5-.6-.7-.6-.7-.2-.5-.3-1.2,0-1.8.2-.6.6-1.1,1.2-1.3.3-.1.6-.2.9-.2.8,0,1.4.4,1.4.4l1,.6.2-1.1c.3-1.6,1.2-2.4,2.8-2.5h.1c1.5,0,2.4.9,2.8,2.5l.2,1.1,1-.6s.6-.4,1.4-.4.6,0,.9.2c.6.3,1,.7,1.2,1.3.2.6.2,1.2,0,1.8,0,0,0,.2-.6.7l-4.7,3.8c-.4-.3-.7-.5-1.1-.6v-1.5c0-.6-.5-1.2-1.1-1.2s-1.1.5-1.1,1.1v1.6c-.4.1-.8.3-1.1.6l-4.7-3.8h0Z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
About Ise Jingu
What exactly is Ise Jingu and what makes it so significant? Read on to explore the awe-inspiring story of this sacred place.
1Discover “Jingu”
Officially known simply as “Jingu”
Ise Jingu is also colloquially referred to as “Oise-San” and has long been thought of as the proverbial home of the heart for Japanese people.
Two Main Shrines, “Naiku” and “Geku”
Kotaijingu (Naiku)
A History Dating Back
2000Years
Enshrined Deity
A goddess likened to the sun.
She is the ancestral deity of the imperial family and by extension, the entire Japanese populace.
Her spirit is said to inhabit the sacred mirror Yata no Kagami, one of three heirlooms of the imperial family
A History Dating Back
1500YearsEnshrined Deity
Who Administers Meals to Amaterasu-Omikami
Be it Food, Clothing, or Shelter, She is the Guardian Deity of All Industry
It is customary to visit Geku before Naiku.
In fact, Jingu is comprised of a total of 125 shrines of varying rank.
That includes Naiku, Geku, 14 affiliated betsugu shrines, 43 auxiliary sessha shrines, 24 subordinate massha shrines, and 42 other minor shokansha shrines.
2What Makes Jingu Special
Dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami, the ancestral deity of the imperial family and protector of the people of Japan, Jingu is central to all shrines throughout the nation.
Jingu is central to all shrines throughout the nation.
Revered as the most sacred place in Japan, Jingu has special status among approximately 80,000 shrines in the country.
Beautiful Architecture
The main structure features immaculate hinoki cypress in an ancient Japanese architectural style known as Shinmei-Zukuri
A classical Japanese arched bridge stretching across the pristine Isuzugawa River at the entrance of Naiku that connects the mundane world to the spiritual realm.
Vast Nature
Jingu's Massive Forest
The forest of Jingu is extends to two subsections: shin'iki, the portion located within the holy precincts where visitors pay respects to enshrined deities, and kyuikirin, the “shrine precincts” forest. The nature in the former is scrupulously maintained to protect the sanctity of Jingu.
*Area outside of the main path (sandō) are strictly off-limits.
Rituals and Ceremonies
There are about 1500 rituals, or matsuri, throughout the year.
These rituals are performed in hopes of bountiful harvest, peace, tranquility, and happiness.In fact, ritual food offerings to shrine deities known as “Higoto-asayu-omikesai” have been taking place twice everyday for the last 1500 years.
Jingu's Biggest Ceremony, Shikinen Sengu
Once every 20 years, the shrine buildings of Jingu are completely rebuilt.
There are plots of land of exactly the same size in the west and east sides of both Naiku and Geku set aside specifically for Shikinen Sengu, Jingu's largest ceremony during which shrine pavilions, garb, treasures, and everything in between is completely renewed and deities are relocated to newly constructed shrines once every 20 years in accordance with ancient tradition.
The 62nd ceremony was held in 2013, with the next planned for 2033.
Shikinen Sengu is a deeply spiritual ritual that connects the people of Japan to their ancestors. Once funded by the national government, the ritual is currently made possible by donations from the people of Japan made to the emperor who in turns prays for peace and happiness for Japan on behalf of the country. We humbly ask for continued financial support in order to keep this incredible historical tradition alive.
Make a Donation
Kaguraden (Naiku)
3Oise-Mairi: Visiting Ise Jingu Once in a Lifetime
The pilgrimage to Ise Jingu, known as Oise-mairi, gained incredible momentum in the Edo period, and a sense of reverence and aspiration to make the journey lives on to this day, with roughly 8 million visitors to every year.
Where to Start
From Geku to Naiku
The ceremonies of Jingu are held at Geku first, influencing a custom of visiting Geku before Naiku that has been practiced for centuries.
Visiting the most noteworthy spots at Naiku will take approximately 60 minutes, and 30 minutes for Geku (not including time for formal ceremonies or visiting the Sengu Museum).
60-Min. Sample Route (Naiku)90-Min. Sample Route (Naiku)Shrine Etiquette
Making a Wish
Formal Ceremonies for Divine Protection
Wishes asking for safety at home, good health, prosperity in business, or to express thanks to the kami may be conveyed through formal ceremonies.
Amulets and Talismans to Connect You to Jingu (Naiku)
These amulets are granted to those who visited Jingu as an offering of prayer for their good health and happiness