Ise Grand shrine - Wikipedia Ise Grand shrine Ise Grand Shrine 伊勢 神宮 ( Ise Jingū ) Naikū, Ise Shrine. Shown within Japan Basic information Location Ise, Mie, Japan Geographic coordinates 34 ° 27 ′ 18 '' N 136 ° 43 ′ 33 '' E ﻿ / ﻿ 34.45500 ° N 136.72583 ° E ﻿ / 34.45500 ; 136.72583 Coordinates : 34 ° 27 ′ 18 '' N 136 ° 43 ′ 33 '' E ﻿ / ﻿ 34.45500 ° N 136.72583 ° E ﻿ / 34.45500 ; 136.72583 Affiliation Shinto Deity Amaterasu Date established 4 BCE Glossary of Shinto The Ise Grand Shrine ( 伊勢 神宮, Ise Jingū ), located in the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Officially known simply as Jingū ( 神宮 ), Ise Jingū is a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, Naikū ( 内宮 ) and Gekū ( 外宮 ). The Inner Shrine, Naikū ( also officially known as `` Kotai Jingū '' ), 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 shrine buildings are made of solid cypress wood and use no nails but instead joined wood. The Outer Shrine, Gekū ( also officially known as `` Toyouke Daijingū '' ), is located about six kilometers from Naikū and dedicated to Toyouke - Ōmikami, the god of agriculture, rice harvest and industry. Besides Naikū and Gekū, there are an additional 123 Shinto shrines in Ise City and the surrounding areas, 91 of them connected to Naikū and 32 to Gekū. Bird 's eye view of the area surrounding the Gekū shrine Purportedly the home of the Sacred Mirror, the shrine is one of Shinto 's holiest and most important sites. Access to both sites is strictly limited, with the common public not allowed beyond sight of the thatched roofs of the central structures, hidden behind four tall wooden fences. However, tourists are free to roam the forest, including its ornamental walkways after Meiji period. During the Edo period, it is estimated that one out of ten Japanese conducted an Okage Mairi pilgrimage to the shrine. Accordingly, pilgrimage to the shrine flourished in both commercial and religious frequency. Because the shrine is considered sanctuary, no security checkpoints were conducted, as it was considered sacrilege by the faithful. The two main shrines of Ise are joined by a pilgrimage road that passes through the old entertainment district of Furuichi. The chief priest or priestess of Ise Shrine must come from the Imperial House of Japan and is responsible for watching over the Shrine. The current high priestess of the shrine is Emperor Akihito 's daughter, Sayako Kuroda. Part of a series on Shinto Practices and beliefs Kami Ritual dance Ritual purity Polytheism Animism Japanese festivals Mythology Shinto shrines List of Shinto shrines Ichinomiya Twenty - Two Shrines Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines Association of Shinto Shrines Shinto architecture Notable Kami Amaterasu Sarutahiko Ame no Uzume Inari Izanagi Izanami Susanoo Tsukuyomi Important literature Kojiki ( ca. 711 CE ) Nihon Shoki ( 720 CE ) Fudoki ( 713 -- 723 CE ) Shoku Nihongi ( 797 CE ) Kogo Shūi ( 807 CE ) Kujiki ( 807 to 936 CE ) Engishiki ( 927 CE ) See also Religion in Japan Glossary of Shinto List of Japanese deities Sacred objects Japanese Buddhism Edo Neo-Confucianism Koshintō State Shinto Nippon Kaigi Mythical creatures Shinto portal Contents 1 Establishment of the Shrine 2 Chief priestess / chief priest 3 Shrine architecture 4 Rebuilding the Shrine 5 Annual festivals 6 Naikū - the inner shrine 6.1 The Uji Bridge 6.2 Temizusha 6.3 Saikan and Anzaisho 6.4 Kaguraden 6.5 Imibiyaden 6.6 Kotaijingu - the main shrine 7 Shrines and facilities 7.1 Shrines 7.2 Facilities 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References 11 External links Establishment of the shrine Aerial view of the Naikū ( inner shrine ) and its borders in relation to Mount Shimaji and Mount Kamiji A free - range chicken roaming the grounds, considered to be the divine messenger of Amaterasu. 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 Ohmi and Mino. Her search eventually brought her to Ise, in modern Mie Prefecture, where she is said to have established Naikū after hearing the voice of Amaterasu saying `` ( Ise ) is a secluded and pleasant land. In this land I wish to dwell. '' Before Yamatohime - no - mikoto 's journey, Amaterasu had been worshiped at the imperial residence in Yamato, then briefly at Kasanui in the eastern Nara basin. When Princess Yamatohime - no - mikoto arrived at the village of Uji - tachi, she set up fifty bells to designate the area as enshrined for the goddess Amaterasu, which is why the river is called the Isuzu, or `` fifty bells ''. Besides the traditional establishment date of 4 BCE, other dates of the 3rd and 5th centuries have been put forward for the establishment of Naikū and Gekū respectively. The first shrine building at Naikū was erected by Emperor Tenmu ( 678 - 686 ), with the first ceremonial rebuilding being carried out by his wife, Empress Jitō, in 692. The shrine was foremost among a group of shrines which became objects of imperial patronage in the early Heian period. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered imperial messengers to be sent to report important events to the guardian kami of Japan. These heihaku were initially presented to 16 shrines including the Ise Shrine. Chief priestess / chief priest Mishine - no - mikura. From the late 7th century until the 14th century, the role of chief priestess of Ise Shrine was carried out by a female member of the Imperial House of Japan known as a saiō. According to the Man'yōshū, the first saiō to serve at the shrine was Princess Ōku, daughter of Emperor Tenmu, during the Asuka period. Mention of Ise Shrine 's saiō is also made in the Aoi, Sakaki and Yugao chapters of The Tale of Genji as well as in the 69th chapter of The Tales of Ise. The saiō system ended during the turmoil of the Nanboku - chō period. During the Empire of Japan and the establishment of State Shinto, the position of chief priest of the Ise Shrine was fulfilled by the reigning emperor and the Meiji, Taisho and Shōwa Emperors all played the role of chief priest during their reigns. Since the disestablishment of State Shinto during the Occupation of Japan, the offices of chief priest and most sacred priestess have been held by former members of the imperial family or their descendants. The current chief priest of the shrine is Takatsukasa Naotake, adoptive son of Takatsukasa Kazuko. He succeeded Kitashirakawa Michihisa, a great - grandson of the Meiji Emperor, in 2007. Kitashirakawa Michihisa succeeded his cousin Kuni Kuniaki, the eldest son of former Prince Kuni Asaakira ( brother of Empress Kōjun ), in 2001. Kitashirakawa 's grandmother, Kitashirakawa Fusako, the seventh daughter of the Meiji Emperor, served as most sacred priestess of the Ise Shrine from 1947 until her death in 1974. She was succeeded in that post by Takatsukasa Kazuko, third daughter of the Emperor Shōwa, who held the post until ill health forced her retirement in 1988. Takatsukasa Kazuko was succeeded by her younger sister, Ikeda Atsuko. In 2012, Ikeda was joined by her niece Kuroda Sayako, sole daughter of reigning Emperor Akihito, to serve as a high priestess under her. On 19 June 2017, Kuroda officially replaced her aunt as supreme priestess. Shrine Architecture Main shrine building, Naiku. The architectural style of the Ise shrine is known as shinmei - zukuri, characterized by extreme simplicity and antiquity : its basic principles date back to the Kofun period ( 250 - 538 C.E. ). The shrine buildings use a special variant of this style called Yuitsu - shinmei - zukuri ( 唯一 神明 造 ), which may not be used in the construction of any other shrine. The old shrines are dismantled and new ones built on an adjacent site to exacting specifications every 20 years at exorbitant expense, so that the buildings will be forever new and forever ancient and original. The present buildings, dating from 2013, are the 62nd iteration to date and are scheduled for rebuilding in 2033. The shrine at Naikū is constructed of Japanese cypress. Built on pillars set directly in the ground, the shrine building measures 10.9 by 5.5 meters and includes a raised floor, verandas all the way around the building and a staircase leading to a single central doorway. The roof is made of thatched reed with ten billets ( katsuogi ) located on the ridge of the roof, the bargeboards of which project beyond the roof to form the distinctive forked finials ( chigi ) at the ends of the ridge. The roof ridge is supported by two free - standing columns called the munamochi - bashira. The katsuogi, chigi and munamochi - bashira are stylised forms of older storehouse building techniques that pre-date the introduction of Buddhist architecture in Japan. The empty site beside the shrine building, the site where the previous shrine once stood and where the next will be built, is called the kodenchi. This area is strewn with large white pebbles and is left totally empty apart from the oi - ya, a small wooden hut containing a wooden pole a little over 2 metres in height called the shin - no - mihashira ( new sacred central pole ). When a new shrine is built, it is built around the sacred central pole before the removal of the oi - ya, so that the central pole is never seen. The central pole of the old shrine will then have a new oi - ya erected so that the shin - no - mihashira also remains unseen. The erection of a single post in the center of a sacred area strewn with stones represents the form taken by Japanese places of worship in very ancient times ; the shin - no - mihashira would thus be the survival of a symbolism from a very primitive symbolism to the present day. Rebuilding the shrine Okihiki Festival in May 2007 exhibiting wood to build the next shrine. Land Before Sengū ceremony Photo at 2005. The shrine buildings at Naikū and Gekū, as well as the Uji Bridge, are rebuilt every 20 years as a part of the Shinto belief of the death and renewal of nature and the impermanence of all things and as a way of passing building techniques from one generation to the next. The twenty year renewal process is called the Sengu. In August, in a long - standing tradition, the people who live in Ise are allowed to enter the area around the Inner Sanctum of the Naiku as well as the Geku. Some villages drag a wooden carriage laden with white stones up the Isuzu River onto the grounds of the Naiku. Each participant gets two white stones in a white handkerchief and these allow them to place the stones in the area around the Inner Sanctum. Other villages drag a huge wooden car or Noburi Kuruma laden with white stones to the Uji bridge at the entrance of the grounds of the Naiku. Participants receive two white stones which are also placed in the sacred space around the Inner Sanctum. The entire tradition is called Shiraisshiki and it is very colourful with every participant wearing a ' happi ' coat representing a particular village. The rebuilding of the main shrine takes place on a site adjacent to the old, and each rebuilding alternates between the two sites. The next scheduled rebuilding of Naikū is due in 2033 on the lower, northern site. In the lead - up to the rebuilding of the shrines, a number of festivals are held to mark special events. The Okihiki Festival is held in the spring over two consecutive years and involves people from surrounding towns dragging huge wooden logs through the streets of Ise to Naikū and Gekū. In the lead - up to the 2013 rebuilding, the Okihiki festival was held in 2006 and 2007. A year after the completion of the Okihiki festival, carpenters begin preparing the wood for its eventual use in the Shrine. Annual festivals The Otaue ceremony. From the late seventh century, when the festivals and offerings of Ise Shrine became more formalised, a number of annual events have been performed at both Naikū and Gekū. The Tsukinamisai, which was held in June and December, as well as the Kannamesai Festival in September, were the only three offerings performed by the Saiō, an imperial princess who served as high priestess of the shrine until the 14th century. These offerings are based on the cycle of the agricultural year and are still performed today. The hatadono. The first important ceremony of the modern calendar year is the Kinensai, where prayers are offered for a bountiful harvest. Kannamesai, where prayers for fair weather and sufficient rains are made, is held twice a year in May and August at both Naikū and Gekū. Autumn Kagura Festival. The most important annual festival held at Ise Shrine is the Kannamesai Festival ( 神嘗祭 ). Held in October each year, this ritual makes offerings of the first harvest of crops for the season to Amaterasu. An imperial envoy carries the offering of rice harvested by the Emperor himself to Ise, as well as five - coloured silk cloth and other materials, called heihaku. Besides the agricultural ceremonies already mentioned, ceremonies and festivals are held throughout the year at both Naikū and Gekū to celebrate things such as the new year, the foundation of Japan, the past emperors, purification rituals for priests and court musicians, good sake fermentation and the Emperor 's birthday. There are also daily food offerings to the shrine kami held both in the mornings and evenings. Naikū - the Inner shrine Isuzu River 2006 The official name of the main shrine of Naikū is Kotaijingu and is the place of worship of the goddess Amaterasu. The grounds of Naikū contain a number of structures, including the following : The Uji Bridge The Uji Bridge 2012 This 100 meter wooden bridge, built in a traditional Japanese style, stretches across the Isuzu River at the entrance of Naikū. Like the shrine buildings of Naikū, it is rebuilt every 20 years as a part of the Shikinen Sengū ceremony. On crossing the bridge, the path turns to the right along the banks of the Isuzu river and passes through large landscaped gardens. Temizusha Temizusha for ritual purification. 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. Visitors are encouraged to wash their hands and rinse their mouths at Temizusha as a symbolic act to clean the mind and body of impurity. The first of two large torii gates stands just beyond the Temizusha. Saikan and Anzaisho 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 Kagura - den 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. Charge field prayer, Toyouke Daijingū ( Gekū ). 2005. Imibiyaden Imibiyaden 2007 This hall contains the sacred fire used to cook all of the food offerings to the kami of Ise Shrine. Rice and other offerings cooked on the sacred fire are stored in a box made of Japanese cypress, then purified at the Haraedo immediately in front of the Imibiyaden before being offered to the kami. Kotaijingu - the main shrine Steps leading to the main shrine, Naikū, 2007. The pilgrimage path then approaches the main shrine of Naikū by a set of large stone steps. 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. Place of prayer of the main shrine, Naikū, 2005. Kotai Jingū 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. Shrines and facilities Shrines There are 125 shrines within Ise Shrine. Shōgū name kanji enshrined kanji location Kōtai Jingū ( Naikū ) 皇 大 神宮 Amaterasu Ōmikami Ameno Tajikarao no kami Yorozuhata - Toyoakitsuhime no mikoto 天 照 大御神 天 手 力 男 神 万 幡 豊 秋津 姫 命 Ujitachi, Ise city Toyouke Daijingū ( Gekū ) 豊 受 大 神宮 Toyouke no Ōmikami 3 Mitomo no kami 豊 受 大御神 御 伴 神 3 座 Toyokawa, Ise city Betsugū of Kōtai Jingū name kanji enshrined kanji location Aramatsuri no miya 荒 祭 宮 Amaterasu Ōmikami no Aramitama 天 照 大御神 荒 御 魂 in Naikū Tsukiyomi no miya 月 讀 宮 Tsukiyomi no mikoto 月 讀 尊 Nakamura, Ise city Tsukiyomi no Aramitama no miya 月 讀 荒 御 魂 宮 Tsukiyomi no mikoto no Aramitama 月 讀 尊 荒 御 魂 in Tsukiyomi no miya Izanagi no miya 伊佐 奈岐 宮 Izanagi no mikoto 伊佐 奈岐 尊 in Tsukiyomi no miya 5 Izanami no miya 伊佐 奈弥 宮 Izanami no mikoto 伊佐 奈弥 尊 in Tsukiyomi no miya 6 Takihara no miya 瀧原 宮 Amaterasu Ōmikami no Mitama 天 照 大御神 御 魂 Takihara, Taiki town, Watarai district 7 Takihara no narabi no miya 瀧原 竝 宮 Amaterasu Ōmikami no Mitama 天 照 大御神 御 魂 in Takihara no miya 8 Izawa no miya 伊 雑 宮 Amaterasu Ōmikami no Mitama 天 照 大御神 御 魂 Isobe - chō - Kaminogō, Shima city 9 Yamatohime no miya 倭 姫宮 Yamatohime no mikoto 倭 姫 命 Kusube, Ise city 10 Kazahinomi no miya 風 日 祈 宮 Shinatsuhiko no mikoto Shinatobe no mikoto 級 長津 彦命 級長 戸辺 命 in Naikū Betsugū of Toyouke Daijingū name kanji enshrined kanji location Taka no miya 多賀 宮 Toyouke no Ōmikami no Aramitama 豊 受 大御神 荒 御 魂 in Gekū Tsuchi no miya 土 宮 Ōtsuchi no mioya no kami 大 土 御 祖神 in Gekū Tsukiyomi no miya 月夜 見 宮 Tsukiyomi no mikoto Tsukiyomi no mikoto no Aramitama 月夜 見 尊 月夜 見 尊 荒 御 魂 Miyajiri, Ise city Kaze no miya 風 宮 Shinatsuhiko no mikoto Shinatobe no mikoto 級 長津 彦命 級長 戸辺 命 in Gekū Sessha of Kōtai Jingū name kanji enshrined kanji location Asakuma jinja 朝熊 神社 Ōtoshi no kami Kokemushi no kami Asakuma no mizu no kami 大 歳 神 苔 虫 神 朝熊 水神 Asama, Ise city Asakuma mimae jinja 朝熊 御前 神社 Asakuma no mimae no kami 朝熊 御前 神 in Asakuma jinja Sonai ( Sonō ) jinja 園 相 神社 Sonahihiko no mikoto Mimae no kami 曾 奈 比比 古 命 御前 神 Tsumura, Ise city Kamo jinja 鴨 神社 Ishikorowake no mikoto Mimae no kami 石 己 呂 和 居 命 御前 神 Yamagammi, Tamaki, Watarai district 5 Tanoe jinja 田 乃家 神社 Ōkami no Misamukawa no kami 大神 御 滄 川 神 Yano, Tamaki, Watarai district 6 Tanoe mimae jinja 田 乃家 御前 神社 Mimae no kami 御前 神 same as Tanoe jinja 7 Kano jinja 蚊野 神社 Ōkami no mikage no - kawa no kami 大神 御蔭 川 神 Kano, Tamaki, Watarai district 8 Kano mimae jinja 蚊野 御前 神社 Mimae no kami 御前 神 same as Kano jinja 9 Yuta jinja 湯田 神社 Ōtoshi no mioya no mikoto Mimae no kami 大 歳 御 祖 命 御前 神 Obata - chō - Yuta, Ise city 10 Ōtsuchi mioya jinja 大 土 御 祖 神社 Ōkunitama no mikoto Mizusasarahiko no mikoto Mizusasarahime no mikoto 大国 玉 命 水 佐 佐良 比 古 命 水 佐 佐良 比 賣命 Kusube, Ise city 11 Kunitsu mioya jinja 国津 御 祖 神社 Ujihime no mikoto Tamurahime no mikoto 宇治 比 賣命 田村 比 賣命 in Ōtoshi mioya jinja 12 Kuchira jinja 朽 羅 神社 Chiyorihime no mikoto Chiyorihiko no mikoto 千 依 比 賣命 千 依 比 古 命 Hara, Tamaki, Watarai district 13 Ujiyōda jinja 宇治 山田 神社 Yamatahime no mikoto 山田 姫 命 Nakamura, Ise city 14 Tsunaga jinja 津 長 神社 Sunagahime no mikoto 栖 長 比 賣命 Uji - Imazaike, Ise city ( in front of Kōtai Jingū ) 15 Katada jinja 堅田 神社 Samitsuhime no mikoto 佐 見 都 比 女 命 Futami - chō - Chaya, Ise city 16 Ōmizu jinja 大 水 神社 Ōyamazumi no mioya no mikoto 大 山祇 御 祖 命 Uji - imazaike, Ise city ( in front of Kōtai Jingū ) 17 E jinja 江 神社 Nagakuchime no mikoto Ōtoshi no mioya no mikoto Ukano mitama no mikoto 長 口 女 命 大 歳 御 祖 命 宇 加 乃御 玉 命 Futami - chō - E, Ise city 18 Kōzaki jinja 神前 神社 Arasakihime no mikoto 荒崎 比 賣命 Futami - chō - Matsushita, Ise city 19 Awamiko jinja 粟 皇子 神社 Susanō no mikoto no Mitama no - michinushi no mikoto 須佐 乃 乎 命 御玉 道 主命 Futami - chō - Matsushita, Ise city 20 Kawara jinja 川原 神社 Tsukiyomi no mikoto no Mitama 月 讀 尊 御 魂 Sōchi, Ise city 21 Kugutsuhime jinja 久具 都 比 賣 神社 kugutsuhime no mikoto kugutsuhiko no mikoto MImae no kami 久具 都 比 賣命 久具 都 比 古 命 御前 神 Kamikugu, Watarai town, Watarai district 22 Narahara jinja 奈良 波 良 神社 Naraharahime no mikoto 那 良原 比 女 命 Miyako, Tamaki town, Watarai district 23 Sugihara jinja 棒 原 神社 Ama no subarume no mikoto - no Mitama Mimae no kami 天 須 婆 留 女 命 御 魂 御前 神 Kami - Tanui, Tamaki town, Watarai district 24 Mifune jinja 御船 神社 Ōkami no mikage no - kawa no mikoto 大神 御蔭 川 神 Toba, Taki town, Taki district 25 Sakatekunari jinja 坂手 国生 神社 Takaminakami no mikoto ( Takaminakami no kami ) 高 水上 命 ( 高 水上 神 ) Kami - Tanui, Tamaki town, Watarai district 26 Satakunari jinja 狭 田 國生 神社 Hayakawahiko no mikoto Hayakawahime no mikoto Yamazue no Mitama 速川 比 古 命 速川 比 女 命 山 末 御 魂 Sata, Tamaki town, Watarai district 27 Takihara jinja 多岐 原 神社 Manako no Kami 真奈 胡 の 神 Misegawa, Taiki town, Watarai district Sessha of Toyouke Daijingū name kanji enshrined kanji location Kusanagi jinja 草 奈 伎 神社 Mishirushi no tsurugi no kami 御剣 仗 神 ( 標 劔 仗 神 ) Tokiwa, Ise city Ōmakunari jinja 大間 国生 神社 Ōwakako no mikoto Otowakako no mikoto 大 若子 命 乙 若子 命 Tokiwa, Ise city Watarai kuimii jinja 度 会 国 御 神社 Hikokunimigakitakeyotsuka no mikoto 彦 国見 賀 岐建 與 束 命 in Gekū Watarai ōkunitamahime jinja 度 会 大国 玉 比 賣 神社 Ōkunitama no mikoto Mizusasarahime no mikoto 大国 玉 姫 命 弥 豆 佐 佐良 比 賣命 in Gekū 5 Tanoe ōmizu jinja 田上 大 水 神社 Ogoto kan - nushi 小事 神主 Fujisato, Ise city 6 Tanoe ōmizu mimae jinja 田上 大 水 御前 神社 Miyako 宮子 in Tanoe ōmizu jinja 7 Shitomi jinja 志 等 美 神社 Kukunochi no kami 久久 能 智 神 Tsujikuru, Ise city 8 Ōkōchi jinja 大河内 神社 Ōyamazumi no kami 大 山祇 神 in Shitomi jinja 9 Kiyonoiba jinja 清 野井 庭 神社 Kayanohime no mikoto 草野 姫 命 Tokiwa, Ise city 10 Takagawara jinja 高 河原 神社 Tsukiyomi no mikoto no Mitama 月夜 見 尊 御 魂 in Tsukiyomi no miya ( Gekū, 月夜 見 宮 ) 11 Kawara jinja 河原 神社 Kawa no kami 川 神 Misono - chō - Shingai, Ise city 12 Kawarabuchi jinja 河原 淵 神社 Sawahime no mikoto 澤 姫 命 Funae, Ise city 13 Yamazue jinja 山 末 神社 Ōyamatsuhime no mikoto 大山 津 姫 命 in Gekū 14 Usunono jinja 宇須 乃 野 神社 Usunome no mikoto 宇須 乃 女 命 Misono - chō - Takabuku, Ise city 15 Mike jinja 御 食 神社 Minato no miketsu kami 水戸 御 饗 都 Kamiyashiro, Ise city 16 Obata jinja 小俣 神社 Uka no Mitama no kami 宇賀 御 魂 神 Obata - chō - motomachi, Ise city Massha of Kōtai Jingū name kanji enshrined kanji location Kamoshimo jinja 鴨下 神社 Ishikorowake no mikoto Kamohiko no mikoto Kamohime no mikoto 石 己 呂 和 居 命 鴨 比 古 命 鴨 比 賣命 Katsuta, Tamaki, Watarai district Tsubura jinja 津 布良 神社 Tsuburahiko no mikoto Tsuburahime no mikoto 津 布良 比 古 命 津 布良 比 賣命 Tsubura, Tamaki, Watarai district Ashihara jinja 葦原 神社 Sasatsuhiko no mikoto Ukano Mitama no mioya no mikoto Ikarihime no mikoto 佐 佐津 比 古 命 宇 加 乃御 魂 御 祖 命 伊加利 比 売 命 in Tsukiyomi no miya ( Naikū, 月 讀 宮 ) Ogoso jinja 小 社 神社 Takaminakami mikoto ) 高 水上 命 Ogoso - Sone, Tamaki, Watarai district 5 Komori jinja 許 母 利 神社 Awashima no kami no mitama 粟 嶋 神 御 魂 same as Kōzaki jinja 6 Niikawa jinja 新川 神社 Niikawahime no mikoto 新川 比 賣命 same as Tsunaga jinja 7 Iwai jinja 石井 神社 Takaminakami no mikoto 高 水上 命 same as Tsunaga jinja 8 Uji no nuki jinja 宇治 乃 奴 鬼 Takaminakami no mikoto 高 水上 命 Ōtoshi mioya jinja 9 Kanumi jinja 加 努 弥 神社 Inayorihime no mikoto 稲 依 比 女 命 Kanome ( Kanomi ), Ise city without building 10 Kawaai jinja 川相 神社 Hosokawa no mizu no kami 細川 水神 same as Ōmizu jinja 11 Kumabuchi jinja 熊 淵 神社 Takiōtoji no kami 多 支 大刀 自 神 same as Ōmizu jinja 12 Arasaki jinja 荒 前 神社 Arasakihime no mikoto 荒 前 比 賣命 same as Kōzaki jinja 13 Najime jinja 那 自 売 神社 Ōminakami no mioya no mikoto Mimonosusohime no mikoto 大 水上 御 祖 命 御 裳 乃 須 蘇 比 賣命 same as Ujiyōda jinja 14 Ashidate jinja 葦 立 弖 神社 Tamayarahime no mikoto 玉 移 良 比 女 命 same as Kunitsu mioya jinja 15 Mumino jinja 牟 弥 乃 神社 Samukawahiko no mikoto Samukawahime no mikoto 寒川 比 古 命 寒川 比 女 命 same as Mifune jinja 16 Kagaminomiya jinja 鏡宮 神社 Iwanoue no futatsu no mikagami no mitama 岩上 二 面 神鏡 霊 Asama, Ise city Massha of Toyouke Daijingū name kanji enshrined kanji location Igari jinja 伊 我 理 神社 Igarihime no mikoto 伊 我 理 比 女 命 in Gekū Agata jinja 縣 神社 Agata no kami 縣 神 same as Usuno no jinja Inaka jinja 井中 神社 Inaka no kami 井中 神 same as Ikari jinja Uchikake jinja 打 縣 神社 Uchikake myōjin 打 縣 名神 in Shitomi jinja 5 Akasaki jinja 赤崎 神社 Arasakihime no mikoto 荒崎 姫 命 Toba, Toba city 6 Mori jinja 毛 理 神社 Ki no kami 木 神 same as Kawara jinja ( 河原 神社 ) 7 Ōtsu jinja 大津 神社 Ashihara kami ( Ashihara no kami ) 葦原 神 in Gekū 8 Shioya jinja 志 宝屋 神社 Shiotsuchi no oji 塩土 老翁 Ōminato, Ise city Shokansha of Kōtai Jingū name kanji enshrined kanji location Takimatsuri no kami 滝 祭神 Takimatsuri no Ōkami 瀧 祭 大神 in Naikū without building Okitama no Kami 興 玉 神 Okitama no Kami 興 玉 神 in Naikū Shogū without building Miyabi no kami 宮 比 神 Miyabi no kami 宮 比 神 in Naikū Shogū without building Yanohahiki no kami 屋 乃 波 比 伎 神 Yanohahiki no kami 屋 乃 波 比 伎 神 in Naikū Shogū without building 5 Misakadono 御酒 殿 Misakadono no kami 御酒 殿 神 in Naikū 6 Mishine no mikura 御 稲 御倉 Mishine no mikura no kami 御 稲 御倉 神 in Naikū 7 Yuki no mikura 由貴 御倉 Yuki no mikura no kami 由貴 御倉 神 inNaikū 8 Miya no meguri no kami 四至 神 Miya no meguri no kami 四至 神 in Naikū without building 9 Kan - Hatori hatadono jinja 神 服 織機 殿 神社 Kan - hatori hatadono no - mamori no kami 神 服 織機 殿 神社 鎮守 神 Ōgaito, Matsusaka city 10 Massha of Kan - Hatori hatadono jinja ; 8 shrines 神 服 織機 殿 神社 末社 8 所 Kan - hatori hatadono no - mamori no mimae no kami 神 服 織機 殿 神社 鎮守 御前 神 in Kan - Hatori hatadono jinja 11 Kan - Omi hatadono jinja 神 麻績 機 殿 神社 Kan - Omi hatadono no - mamori no kami 神 麻績 機 殿 神社 鎮守 神 Iguchinaka, Matsusaka city 12 Massha of Kan - Omi hatadono jinja ; 8 shrines 神 麻績 機 殿 神社 末社 8 所 Kan - Omi hatadono no mamori no - mimae no kami 神 麻績 機 殿 神社 鎮守 御前 神 in Kan - Omi hatadono jinja 13 Mishiodono jinja 御 塩 殿 神社 Mishiodono no mamori no kami 御 塩 殿 神社 鎮守 神 Futami - chō - Shō, Ise city 14 Aedohashihime jinja 饗 土橋 姫 神社 Ujibashi no mamori no kami 宇治 橋 鎮守 神 Uji - Imazaike, Ise city ( in front of Kōtai Jingū ) 15 Ōyamatsumi jinja 大 山祇 神社 Ōyamazumi no kami 大 山祇 神 in Naikū 16 Koyasu jinja 子安 神社 Konohanasakuyahime no mikoto 木 華 開 耶姫 命 in Naikū ( side of Ōyamatsumi jinja ) Shokansha of Toyouke Daijingū name kanji enshrined kanji location Misakadono 御酒 殿 Misakadono no kami 御酒 殿 神 in Gekū Miya no meguri no kami 四至 神 Miya no meguri no kami 四至 神 in Gekū without building Kami no mii no jinja 上 御井 神社 Kami no mii no mamori no kami 上 御井 鎮守 神 in Gekū Shimo no mii no jinja 下 御井 神社 Shimo no mii no mamori no kami 下 御井 鎮守 神 in Gekū Shokansha of Betsugū name kanji enshrined kanji location Wakamiya jinja 若宮 神社 Wakamiya no kami 若宮 神 in Takihara no miya Nagayuke jinja 長 由介 神社 Nagayuke no kami 長 由介 神 in Takihara no miya Kawashima jinja 川島 神社 Kawashima no kami 川島 神 same as Nagayuke jinja Saminaga jinja 佐美 長 神社 Shimonomii no mamori no kami 大 歳 神 Isobe - chō - Erihara, Shima city 5 Saminaga mimae jinja ; 4 shrines 佐美 長 御前 神社 Saminaga mimae no kami 佐美 長 御前 神 in Saminaga jinja Facilities Facilities of Ise Shrine ( not shrine ) name kanji articles kanji location Yahirodono of Kan - Hatori hatadono jinja 神 服 織機 殿 神社 八尋 殿 Nigitae ( silk ) 和 妙 in Kan - Hatori hatadono jinja Yahirodono of Kan - Omi hatadono jinja 神 服 麻績 殿 神社 八尋 殿 Aratae ( hemp ) 荒 妙 in Kan - Omi hatadono jinja Jingu shinden ( 30,000 m2 ) 神宮 神田 Goryō - mai ( rice ) 御料 米 Kusube - chō, Ise city Izawa no miya no omita ( 1,646 m2 ) 伊 雑 宮 の 御 神田 Goryō - mai ( rice ) 御料 米 Isobe - chō - Erihara, Shima city ( side of Izawa no miya ) 5 Mishiohama ( 6,609 m2 ) 御 塩浜 brine 御 塩 Futami - chō - Nishi, Ise city 6 Mishiodono Mishio kumiiresho Mishio yakisho ( 27,785 m2 ) 御 塩 殿御 塩 汲 入所 御 塩焼 所 Mishio ( salt ) 御 塩 in Mishiodono jinja 7 Jingū misono ( 19,751 m2 ) 神宮 御園 vegetables and fruits 野菜 ・ 果物 Futami - chō - Mizoguchi, Ise city 8 Awabi chōseisho ( 5,946 m2 ) 鰒 調製 所 noshi awabi ( dried abalone ) 熨斗 鰒 Kuzaki - chō, Toba city 9 Hidai chōseisho ( 11,242 m2 ) 干鯛 調製 所 Hidai ( dried sea bream ) 干鯛 Shinojima, Minamichita town, Chita District, Aichi Prefecture 10 Doki chōseisho ( 2,878 m2 ) 土器 調製 所 earthenwares 土器 Minomura, Meiwa town, Taki District See also List of Shinto shrines Twenty - Two Shrines Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines Saiō Notes Jump up ^ Ise Jingu official homepage, `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2012 - 05 - 30. Retrieved 2012 - 05 - 30. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ Ise Jingu official homepage Archived 2012 - 05 - 30 at Archive.is ^ Jump up to : `` Emperor 's daughter becomes supreme priestess at Ise Shrine ''. Japan Times. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Sayako Kuroda, the daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, assumed the post of supreme priestess at Ise Shrine this week, the ancient Shinto shrine said. Jump up ^ Aston 1896, p. 176. Jump up ^ Bocking 2013, p. 51. Jump up ^ Encyclopædia Britannica - Ise Shrine http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9368233 ^ Jump up to : Sacred Places - Ise Shrine http://witcombe.sbc.edu/sacredplaces/ise.html Jump up ^ Teeuwen 2000, pp. 74 - 75. Jump up ^ Ponsonby - Fane, Richard. ( 1962 ). Studies in Shinto and Shrines, pp. 116 - 117. Jump up ^ Sir Banister Fletcher, A History of Architecture ( p724 ), Architectural Press ( 1996 ), ISBN 0 - 7506 - 2267 - 9 Jump up ^ Kenzo Tange and Noboru Kawazoe, Ise : Prototype of Japanese Architecture ( p 167 ), Cambridge, Massachusetts : M.I.T. Press, 1965. Jump up ^ Saikū Historical Museum information booklet, `` A Town of Bamboo Illumined Once Again ''. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2012 - 08 - 03. Retrieved 2007 - 10 - 10. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) - Annual Cycle of Ceremonies and Rice, Official Ise Jingu homepage. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2012 - 08 - 04. Retrieved 2007 - 10 - 10. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) - Annual Cycle of Ceremonies, Official Ise Jingu homepage. Jump up ^ The official Ise Jingu homepage : Naiku, `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2012 - 06 - 29. Retrieved 2008 - 01 - 09. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ `` Oise mairi '' ( 『 お 伊勢 まいり 』, Jingū - shichō, Ise - Jingū - sūkei - kai, July 1, 2006 ) p. 105 - 118 Jump up ^ `` Oise mairi '' p. 72 Jump up ^ `` Oise mairi '' p. 9 Jump up ^ `` Jingū sessha massha junhai '' ( 『 神宮 摂社 末社 順 拝 』, Sarutahiko jinja, March 31, 1989 ) The second volume ( 下巻 ) p. 87 Jump up ^ `` Jingū sessha massha junhai '', The second volume ( 下巻 ) p. 31, No Hiragana in `` Oise mairi ''. Jump up ^ Katada jinja is written at `` 伊勢 市 二見 町 江 ( Futami - chō - E, Ise city ) '' in `` Oise mairi '', but this shrine is in Futami - chō - Chaya. Futami - chō - Chaya was independent of Futami - chō - E on November 1st 2005, and Futami - chō - Chaya is often writeen Futami - chō - E by a mistake. Katada jinja is mapped `` 二見 町 茶屋 ( Futami - chō - Chaya ) '' in these maps, not Futami - chō - E. Google map Mapion Archived 2007 - 11 - 03 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Jingū sessha massha junhai '', The second volume ( 下巻 ) p. 69 Jump up ^ `` Jingū sessha massha junhai '', The first volume ( 上巻 ) p. 65 Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō ( 『 お 伊勢 さん を 歩 こう 』, Ise - Jingū - sūkei - kai, April 1, 2005 ) p. 15, No Hiragana in `` Oise mairi '' and `` Jingū sessha massha junhai ''. Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 21 Jump up ^ `` Jingū sessha massha junhai '', The second volume ( 下巻 ) p. 15 Jump up ^ `` Jingū sessha massha junhai '', The second volume ( 下巻 ) p. 4 Jump up ^ `` Jingū sessha massha junhai '', The second volume ( 下巻 ) p. 37 Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 16 Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 17 Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 15 ^ Jump up to : `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 8 ^ Jump up to : `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 4 Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 5 Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 24 Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 24 Jump up ^ `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 27 ^ Jump up to : `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 31 ^ Jump up to : `` Oisesan wo arukō '' p. 29 Jump up ^ `` Oise mairi '' p. 98 - 103 References Japan portal Shinto portal Architecture portal Aston, William George ( 1896 ). Nihongi : Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. London : The Japan Society, Trübner. Bock, Felicia G. ( 1974 ). `` The Rites of Renewal at Ise ''. Monumenta Nipponica. 29 : 55 -- 68. JSTOR 2383463. ( Registration required ( help ) ). Bocking, Brian ( 2013 ). The Oracles of the Three Shrines : Windows on Japanese Religion. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978 - 1 - 136 - 84552 - 9. Breen, John ; Teeuwen, Mark ( 2000 ). Shinto in History : Ways of the Kami. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8248 - 2363 - 4. Fletcher, Sir Banister ; Cruickshank, Dan ( 1996 ). Sir Banister Fletcher 's a History of Architecture. Architectural Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7506 - 2267 - 7. Hvass, Svend M. ( 1998 ). Ise - Japan 's Ise Shrines - Ancient yet New. Copenhagen. Aristo Publishing. ISBN 87 - 985103 - 3 - 9 Ponsonby - Fane, Richard. ( 1962 ). Studies in Shinto and Shrines. ) Kyoto : Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 399449 Kenzo Tange ; Noboru Kawazoe ( 1965 ). Ise : Prototype of Japanese Architecture. MIT Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 262 - 20006 - 6. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to : Ise Shrine ( category ) Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ise. Official website Ise Jingu - Iseshima General Sightseeing Guide Ise City Tourist Industry Society New York Public Library Digital Gallery, early photograph of Ise Shrine compound Wheelchair Accessibility of Shrine Shinto shrines Shinto architecture Buildings chōzuya or temizuya haiden heiden hokora honden / shinden / shōden kagura - den massha sessha Architectonic elements Chinjusha chigi hidden roof kaerumata : see nakazonae kairō karahafu karamon katōmado katsuogi ken kentozuka : see nakazonae kitsune ( fox ) komainu mon nakazonae sandō shinboku shōrō sōrin tamagaki tokyō torii tōrō Styles hirairi - zukuri tsumairi - zukuri gongen - zukuri hachiman - zukuri hiyoshi - zukuri irimoya - zukuri ishi - no - ma - zukuri kasuga - zukuri kibitsu - zukuri misedana - zukuri nagare - zukuri ōtori - zukuri owari - zukuri ryōnagare - zukuri shinmei - zukuri sumiyoshi - zukuri taisha - zukuri Others Implements An ema gohei hakama jōe kamidana mikoshi ofuda omamori ōnusa saisen shaku shide shimenawa shinboku shintai tamagushi tamaya Main kami Amaterasu Hachiman Inari Ōkami Tenjin Staff kannushi miko Head shrines Fushimi Inari Taisha Usa Hachiman - gū Ise Grand Shrine Dazaifu Tenman - gū Munakata Taisha Suwa Taisha Hiyoshi Taisha Kumano Nachi Taisha Tsushima Shrine Yasaka Shrine Miscellaneous A-un Glossary of Shinto jingū - ji Jinja Honchō miyadera ( in order of the size of the shrine network they head ) Sun temples Amanawa Shinmei Shrine Amanoiwato - jinja Arasavalli Sun Temple Balaji 's Sun Temple Beijing 's Temple of the Sun Biranchinarayan Temple, Buguda Biranchinarayan Temple, Palia Egyptian sun temple Ise Grand Shrine Katarmal 's Sun Temple Konark Sun Temple Martand Sun Temple Mesa Verde 's Sun Temple Modhera 's Sun Temple Multan Sun Temple Navlakha Temple, Ghumli Qurikancha Rome 's Temple of the Sun Suryanar Kovil Temple of the Cross Complex WorldCat Identities GND : 4307320 - 7 LCCN : n81144026 NDL : 00629980 VIAF : 139569999 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ise_Grand_Shrine&oldid=863744141 '' Categories : 692 establishments 7th - century establishments in Japan 7th - century religious buildings Jingū Shinto shrines in Mie Prefecture Asuka period Yayoi period Sun temples Rebuilt buildings and structures in Japan Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Archived copy as title Webarchive template archiveis links Webarchive template wayback links Articles containing Japanese - language text Coordinates on Wikidata Pages with login required references or sources Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with NDL identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikimedia Commons Bân - lâm - gú Català Čeština Deutsch Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Кыргызча Latina Latviešu Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi ไทย Türkçe Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 Lingua Franca Nova 23 more Edit links This page was last edited on 12 October 2018, at 18 : 44 ( UTC ). 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Question: why is the naiku (inner) shrine at ise rebuilt every twenty years
Answer: as a part of the Shinto belief of the death and renewal of nature and the impermanence of all things and as a way of passing building techniques from one generation to the next