Inner Shrine (Naiku)

The Inner Shrine (内宮, Naikū), formally known as Kotai Jingu, is the spiritual heart of Shinto in Japan and the most revered of all its shrines. Located in Ise City, it is dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess and mythical ancestor of the Imperial family. With a history stretching back more than 2,000 years, the shrine embodies the essence of ancient Japanese spirituality. Its architectural style, known as Yuitsu-shinmei-zukuri, is purely indigenous—free from foreign influence—and reflects the sacred simplicity of early Japanese design.

A key ritual at Naikū is the Shikinen Sengū, the complete rebuilding of the shrine every 20 years, symbolizing renewal and the impermanence of life—a tradition that will next occur in 2033. Visitors begin their pilgrimage by crossing the elegant Uji Bridge, which marks the threshold between the secular world and sacred space. From there, shaded forest paths lead to the main sanctuary, which is hidden from view to preserve its sanctity. Along the way, worshippers encounter purification areas, small auxiliary shrines, and moments of quiet reflection, all contributing to an atmosphere of deep reverence and timeless beauty.