This park is centered around the most sacred shrine in Japan and provides a fascinating glimpse into Japanese culture. For almost 2,000 years, the Grand Shrine of Ise is where the imperial family has gone to seek advice from the gods. The Grand Shrine has two parts: Naiku (the inner shrine, dedicated to the sun goddess, the Shinto supreme deity) and Geku (the outer shrine, dedicated to the goddess of food/grain).
Both are wooden buildings done in simple Japanese style. Every 20 years, both shrines are torn down and replaced by exact replicas on adjacent plots—this will next happen in 2023. What makes the site impressive isn't just the architecture, but the beautiful setting and the reverence with which it is treated by the Japanese. Only priests are allowed within the walls of the shrines, yet more than 1 million people visit them every year. Kongoshoji is another interesting temple in the area, with a graceful moon bridge (named for its distinctive arched shape) and a trail lined with decorated poles that people have erected as memorials for deceased family members. Also nearby is Jingu Kaikan, the great hall where a major sumo-wrestling tournament is held each spring. Ise-Shima is easily reached from Nagoya (90 minutes by train).
75 mi/ 120 km east of Osaka.
