All Reviews of Ise Jingu

Walking into Ise Jingu, towering trees lined both sides. Listening to the gentle sound of cicadas and walking along the gravel path, I quietly became one of the worshippers. I stopped briefly by the Isuzu River, where the clear water and soft breeze took away the summer heat. It was peaceful and serene. I liked the simple, unadorned atmosphere, and felt that my restless, heat-weary heart found calm here.

Ise Jingu is mainly divided into the Outer Shrine and Inner Shrine. The traditional order of worship is “Outer Shrine first, then Inner Shrine,” but if you only have time for a day trip, most travelers usually prioritize the livelier Inner Shrine, since afterward they can go straight to Okage Yokocho. However, the Outer Shrine is closer to Iseshi Station and can be reached on foot. Since there are fewer visitors, walking among the tall trees in the sacred grounds is very relaxing. Compared with the liveliness of the Inner Shrine, the Outer Shrine feels quieter and more serene, allowing you to better sense the gentleness of the deities.

I also highly recommend the Sengukan Museum next to the Outer Shrine. It explains the Shikinen Sengu ceremony, which takes place every 20 years. What makes it especially interesting is the full-scale model of the Outer Shrine’s main sanctuary. Since visitors cannot approach the innermost area of the main sanctuary during an actual visit, seeing the model in the museum helped me better understand the true scale and architectural details of the deities’ dwelling. There are also many exhibits on the tools and craftsmanship used during the rebuilding ceremony. If you are not in a hurry, there are videos to watch as well. I really recommend it.

The Inner Shrine is larger and draws more worshippers than the Outer Shrine. After crossing Uji Bridge, you walk along the Isuzu River toward the main sanctuary, and the entire experience feels more ceremonial. The routes going in and coming back are separated, mainly because the worship route at the Inner Shrine is quite long. Getting there is not a problem, but on the way back I was truly grateful for the Sanshuden rest area. When you get tired, you can sit down and rest, and free drinking water is available inside. There are vending machines if you want another drink, and you can also purchase amulets and other shrine items here.

If your schedule allows, I still highly recommend visiting both the Outer Shrine and Inner Shrine in the traditional order. The Inner Shrine is more impressive and lively, with Okage Yokocho nearby to explore, while the Outer Shrine is much quieter. I actually preferred its forest atmosphere and feeling of worship. The two have completely different atmospheres and character, and only after visiting both can you get a fuller sense of Ise Jingu.

One reminder: the Inner Shrine has coin-operated luggage lockers, but the Outer Shrine does not, so keep that in mind if you have luggage. When I visited, I saw a traveler who had no way to store their luggage and had to drag it along. Since the sacred grounds are covered with gravel, it looked quite difficult.

You can really feel close to the divine here. Every time I visit, I feel spiritually refreshed and so at peace!!

Such a beautiful place.

Ise Jingu is said to be a place every Japanese person should visit at least once in their lifetime, and I’ve been there twice!

The first time, I underestimated the travel time and could only rush through the Inner Shrine. This time, I gave it another try and successfully visited both the Inner Shrine and the Outer Shrine.

Travel guides say the proper order is to visit the Outer Shrine first and then the Inner Shrine, so we took the Kintetsu train from Toba to Iseshi Station. As soon as you exit the station, you can see a huge torii gate, and straight ahead is the approach to the Outer Shrine. There are quite a few tasteful shops lining both sides of the path. On the shrine grounds, the irises by Magatama Pond had already started to bloom. Walking along the gravel path surrounded by greenery on both sides, we finally arrived at the main shrine to pray.

After that, we took a bus to the Inner Shrine. The Isuzu River was as clear as ever and left an unforgettable impression. Finishing my visit to the Inner Shrine truly made up for the regret I had carried for years.

You can really feel close to the divine here. Every time I visit, it feels like my soul is cleansed. It's so healing.

Walking through the natural surroundings of the shrine, I felt like I was far away from the everyday world. No wonder Ise Jingu is called the spiritual home of the Japanese people.

A must-snap spot at Ise Jingu! Be sure to take photos of the torii gate in front of the Inner Shrine, Uji Bridge, and the Isuzu River. Don't miss it!

When I visited Ise Jingu, I noticed how sincerely everyone bowed during their prayers. The look of satisfaction and happiness on their faces was really special—different from what I've seen at other shrines.

I used to visit Ise Jingu for worship. I truly recommend this place to everyone, especially after the pandemic. If you're busy with life and looking for peace and energy, this is the spot for you.