Ise Grand Shrine

The Grand Shrine of Ise (Ise Jingu), located in Ise, Mie Prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the solar goddess Amaterasu.

The Inner Shrine, Naiku (also officially known as "Kotai Jingu"), is located in the town of Uji-tachi, south of central Ise, and is dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu, where she is believed to dwell.

The Outer Shrine, Geku (also officially known as "Toyouke Daijingu"), is located about six kilometers from Naiku and dedicated to Toyouke-Omikami, the god of agriculture, rice harvest and industry.

Besides Naiku and Geku, there are an additional 123 Shinto shrines in Ise City and the surrounding areas, 91 of them connected to Naiku and 32 to Geku.

Ise Grand Shrine map.
According to the Nihon Shoki, around 2000 years ago the divine Yamatohime-no-mikoto, daughter of the Emperor Suinin, set out from Mt. Miwa in modern Nara Prefecture in search of a permanent location to worship the goddess Amaterasu, wandering for 20 years through the regions of Omi and Mino.

Her search eventually brought her to Ise, in modern Mie Prefecture, where she is said to have established Naiku after hearing the voice of Amaterasu saying "(Ise) is a secluded and pleasant land. In this land I wish to dwell."

Uji bridge (Uji-bashi).
Uji Bridge is the main entrance to the Naiku over the Isuzu River. It is said to be a bridge that connects the everyday world and the sacred world.

This 100 meter wooden bridge, built in a traditional Japanese style, stretches across the Isuzu River at the entrance of Naiku.
Like the shrine buildings of Naiku, it is rebuilt every 20 years as a part of the Shikinen Sengu ceremony.
The bridge is typically built by carpenters with less experience to gain more skills before moving on to take on the task of working on the main shrine.
On crossing the bridge, the path turns to the right along the banks of the Isuzu river and passes through large landscaped gardens.

Water ablution pavilion (Temizuya).
After crossing a short, wide bridge, pilgrims to the shrine encounter the Temizusha, a small, roofed structure containing a pool of water for use in ritual purification. Chozuya or temizuya is a Shinto water ablution pavilion for a ceremonial purification rite known as temizu or chozu (lit. 'hand-water').

Keiko (local guide) teaches us how to perform the purification ritual.
At shrines, these chozubachi are used by worshippers for washing their left hands, right hands, mouth and finally the handle of the water ladle to purify themselves before approaching the main Shinto shrine or shaden.
This symbolic purification is normal before worship and all manned shrines have this facility, as well as many Buddhist temples and some new religious houses of worship.
See more at Chōzuya - Wikipedia.

Face and Hand Purification Trough (Mitarashiba).
Isuzugawa Mitarashi (literally, straw sandpiper) is a place to purify your mind and body before visiting the shrine.

Isuzugawa River is famous for its clean stream. Visitors have been purifying in this river from the old days.
We recommend that you purify yourself here too, it is a very rare place to be able to purify yourself except for the Temizuya. Although this is a river, you can purify your hands and mouth in the same way as in the Temizuya.

Saikan hall and Anzaisho hall.
After passing the first large torii gate, the Purification Hall (Saikan), and the hall for visitors from the imperial household (Anzaisho) is located to the left.

The Saikan is used by shrine priests to purify themselves before performing ceremonies at the shrine.
They are required to spend one or two nights to free their minds of worldly issues, partaking in baths and eating meals cooked with the sacred fire.

Kaguraden hall.
This hall for special prayer, located just after the second large torii gate, is open to the public for the offering of individual prayers to the kami, the giving of donations and the purchase of special talisman of protection, amulets and hanging scrolls of Amaterasu Omikami.

Main shrine (Kotai Jingu).
The pilgrimage path then approaches the fence of the inner sanctum (shoden) of Naiku by a set of large stone steps.

Within another set of fencing inside the gate is the main shrine (seigu) itself.
Visitors are supposed to keep to the sides of the path as the middle is set aside for the goddess Amaterasu. Etiquette is the same as for most Shinto shrines.
Though the actual shrine is hidden behind a large fence, pilgrims can approach the gate to offer their prayers.
Photographs in this area are prohibited and this restriction is strictly policed.
Kotai Jingu is said to hold the Sacred Mirror, one of three Imperial Regalia of Japan said to have been given to the first Emperor by the gods.
From a path that follows the line of the outer wall, the distinctive roof of the shrine building can be seen through the trees.
In front of the walled shrine compound can be seen an open area which was the location of the rebuilding of the shrine in 2013.

Outer Offering Hall (Toyouke Daijingu Geheiden).
The Outer Shrine, Geku (also officially known as "Toyouke Daijingu"), is located about six kilometers from Naiku and dedicated to Toyouke-Omikami, the god of agriculture, rice harvest and industry.

This Geheiden is just a temporary storage location.

Kazahinomi-no-Miya bridge (Isuzugawa Bashi).
Next to the bridge you will find the Turtle rock (Kameishi) and Triple stones (Mitsuishi).

There you will find three round stones crossed, an auspicious "Mitsuishi", considered a spot of power.
In addition, the "Kameishi" or "turtle stone" shaped as its name suggests is also said to be a spot for good luck.

Kazahinomi-no-Miya shrine.
Kazahinomi-no-Miya shrine is located within the area of the outer shrine.

Enshrined in Kazahinomi-no-Miya is the god of wind, who blows away pests and carries in rain clouds to the fields. What’s more, this god is said to have blown the “kamikaze” (divine wind) to protect Japan from Mongolian invasion.

Temizuya Purification Trough and Sacred lake (Mi-ike).
Temizuya Purification Trough next to the Sacred lake (Mi-ike) (far right) and before Soto-no-Mi'umaya Shrine (stable).