One of the principal shrine buildings within Naiku Ise Jingu
Ise Jingu’s key festival is the Shikinen Sengu, which starts every 20 years, with ceremonies spanning nine years. With a new cycle starting again in 2025, this sacred ceremony is a practice in sustainability – with wood from Ise used in the upkeep of shrines around the country. The main drive and intention is to continue Ise’s heritage and rebuild for the next generation.
The rising sun illuminates Uji Bridge, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage
By tradition, the shrines of Ise and the prayers directed towards the main shrines should be expressions of appreciation rather than requests for blessings and fortunes. In many ways, the philosophy mirrors one of the simplest rituals in wellness, as Ise offers the centuries-long space to acknowledge what already exists rather than what is sought. The experience offered at Ise, whether through the early morning ritual or simple appreciation of the commitment to the journey itself, reminds the visitor of a fundamental perspective to carry even beyond the torii.
An auxiliary shrine within the sacred precincts of Naiku
Approximately 90 minutes from Nagoya by train, Ise Jingu is a destination of pilgrimage. Among the many shrines in Japan, Ise offers a different perspective in wellness, with its long tradition of gratitude.
Central Ise
Ise Jingu has a religious history spanning more than two millennia as the center of the Shinto faith. It is believed that enshrined at Ise is Amaterasu Omikami, the chief goddess of the faith and the ancestor of the imperial family of Japan. With its importance, the location has become a pilgrimage site inviting spiritually inclined travellers. The philosophy of renewal and preservation seeps deeply into many facets of the shrines’ traditions and rituals.
Experiencing Gratitude
Ritual encourages early morning visits, entering past the torii gates into the sanctuary with the rising sun. Crossing the historic bridge Uji, made of sacred cypress, onto the main island of the Shrine Isejima, pausing beside the clear waters of the Isuzu River, creates a moment of tranquil respite. Beyond the bridge, the path to the main structures enshrining the great deities is paved with loose stones, encouraging intentional movement, and encased in the aroma of the grand trees firmly protecting the sanctuary.
The Isuzu River at Ise Jingu
Beyond the Shrine
After leaving the sanctuary, the streets of Oharai-machi and Okage Yokocho offer a return to daily life. The traditions of Ise go beyond worship, with expressions of hospitality seen as a way for residents of Ise to express deep reverence to their gods. Here, for centuries, the expedition would end with pilgrims eating with fellow travellers and bringing home omiyage to loved ones. Today, the ‘Okage’ – meaning thankfulness – is paid forward by local businesses serving confectioneries like Akafu and its local staple, Ise Udon. One of Ise’s simplest pleasures is bringing food from the street stalls of Oharai-machi and enjoying it beside the clear waters of the Isuzu River.
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