Must-Try 1: Visit Ise Jingu shrine in the proper way
About Ise Jingu
Ise Jingu is the head shrine of approximately 80,000 shrines in Japan and is considered general Shinto deity of the people of Japan.
There are two main sanctuaries: Kotai-jingu (called “Naiku” in general), which enshrines Amaterasu Omikami (Shinto deities), and Toyouke-daijingu (called “Geku” in general), which enshrines Toyouke no Omikami (Shinto deities), the guardian deity of food, clothing, and shelter.
In order to protect the dignity of the shrine, there are restrictions on photography at the main sanctuaries: photography is allowed only from below the stone floor at the Naiku and from outside the torii (gate) at the Geku. For this reason, some illustrations are used in this article to describe the Ise Jingu. Therefore, visit the Ise Jingu shrine and burn the beautiful and sacred main sanctuaries into your brain.
In ancient times, the Ise Jingu was the deity of the entire nation, and public rituals were performed by the emperor. As time went by, the general public began to visit the shrine, and there are records that a large number of people visited in the mid Kamakura period (in the late 12th century to early 14th century).
They say that the main sanctuaries are the place where public prayers are made, however, it does not mean that you cannot pray for personal matters. You may be recommended first to appreciate your daily life and then pray for yours.
Unlike usual shrines, there has been no “omikuji” (fortune slip) at Ise Jingu shrine for a long time because omikuji were purchased at a shrine nearby. For visitors to Ise Jingu, the day to visit Ise Jingu must be “Great fortune” without checking by omikuji.
Ise Jingu has a system called Shikinen Sengu, in which all shrine buildings are rebuilt once every 20 years. This allows the shrine to retain its original appearance. Shikinen Sengu also has an important role of passing on the skills of those involved in the construction of the shrine buildings. It is said that this is why the Ise Jingu is not selected as a World Heritage site.
Proper Way to Visit
Geku
The proper way to visit Ise Jingu is to go around in order from Geku to the Naiku.
At the Geku, first cross the Omotesando Hiyokebashi Bridge, which is the entrance to the shrine, and purify your hands and mouth at hand- and mouth-watering basin at the end of the bridge.
After purification, visit main sanctuary first, and then visit the three annexes and six shrines within the grounds.
Naiku
Start at Ujibashi Bridge, the entrance to the Naiku. After crossing the bridge and proceeding to the right, you will come to the “Shin-en,” (Deities’ garden), and after passing through the garden, you will cross the Hiyokebashi Bridge.
After crossing the bridge, you will see a mouth-watering basin, so purify your hands and mouth. Further ahead, there is a stone-paved area along the Isuzugawa River where you can wash your hands again.
In fact, the Isuzugawa River area had been built for washing hands before the mouth-watering basin was built. Even now, many visitors wash their hands at the Isuzugawa River area, not at the mouth-watering basin.
After purification, visit main sanctuary first, and then go back toward Ujibashi Bridge to visit other shrines.
The Etiquette for Worshipping at the Shrine
1.Face the shrine and bow deeply twice. 2.Next, clap your hands twice. 3.Finally, bow deeply once.
Must-Try 2: Buy an Okage-inu fortune slip
Okage-mairi (Mass Ise Visit)
In the Edo period (in the early 17th to mid 19th Century), the popularity of Ise Jingu heated up. People in the Edo period longed to visit Ise Jingu, which was known as “once-in-a-lifetime visit to Ise. The mass visit to the Ise Jingu that occurred during the Edo period is called “Okage-mairi” (”Visits we can make thanks to you” in direct translation). It is said that mass visits of several million people occurred three times in a cycle of about 60 years.
There are various theories about the origin of the name “Okage-mairi. One theory is that it is a way of expressing gratitude to Amaterasu (Shinto deities) for allowing people to lead peaceful lives. Another theory is that it is a way of expressing gratitude to the people along the way of the visit to Ise Jingu who helped in a various way.
It was a very difficult journey, taking 15 days one way even from Edo, and about 100 days from the Tohoku region (northeastern Japan).
In some cases, apprentices visited the shrine without the permission of their employers, or children visited without the permission of their parents. This was possible because they could receive charity from many people along the way. Considering today’s common sense, we are impressed by the generosity of people in that era.
Okage Yokocho
Okage Yokocho is named after “Okage-mairi”. It is a tourist attraction consists of 50 stores selling Ise’s specialties, souvenirs, and restaurants.
In Okage Yokocho, the buildings have been recreated into wooden ones of the Edo and Meiji periods which looks like real one existed in those days down to the smallest details.
The photo above shows an ema (votive picture) on display.
When praying to the gods for a wish, ema (votive picture) is dedicated to a shrine. Ema (a horse in a picture in direct translation) is wooden plaques that people write their prayers or wishes on. In the past, there was a custom to dedicate a real horse.
Throughout the year, the Okage Yokocho is bustling with festivals and events where visitors can enjoy the shishimai (lion dances), Japanese drum performances, oral performances of the Yokocho kamishibai (paper theater) and so on.
The photo above is a lion dance. The lion dance is performed wearing a lion’s head, which is actually not a lion’s but imaginary animal’s head. The dance is performed to pray for a good harvest and to exorcise evil spirits.
For more information about the Okage Yokocho, please see the web site of Okage Yokocho from here.
Okage-inu Fortune Slip
Humans are not the only ones who have made “Okage-mairi”. In the Edo period (in the early 17th to mid 19th Century), there is a story of a dog that spent two months visiting Ise Jingu in place of its owner, who was too sick to go to Ise, and returned home with an amulet from the Ise Shrine.
Such dog visits to Ise Jingu were seen here and there until the end of the Edo period. There are records in many places that people along the way paid for the dogs’ travel expenses to help dogs visit Ise Jingu safely.
A shimenawa (sacred rope) and a purse with “Oise-mairi”(visit to Ise) written on it were hung around the dog’s neck, and the money was used by people along the way to buy food to feed the dog. It is said that the money was sometimes put into the purse for the dog’s safety travel. We are moved and warmed by such behavior of our ancestors.
Such dogs are called “Okage-inu”(Okage dog) and you can buy “Okage-inu” Omikuji (fortune slip) in Okage Yokocho. Why not buy one while imagining the scene of dogs visiting Ise Jingu in the Edo period and the warmth of the people of that time?
Must-Try 3: Savor sashimi of Japanese spiny lobster
Japanese Spiny Lobster（Ise Ebi）
Japanese Spiny Lobster is “Ise ebi” which is “ebi (Lobster) of Ise (the area where Ise Jingu exists) in Japanese.
The name of Ise ebi is found in an old document of the year1566, and it has been familiar to the Japanese people since ancient times. It is written that Ise ebi was sold at extremely high price in Edo (old Tokyo) and Osaka as a New Year’s gift for feudal lords and others.
The custom of using Ise ebi as New Year’s decorations still exists today. Ise ebi is used for Osechi (Japanese traditional cuisine for New Year’s Day). When distributed, Ise ebi is evaluated more strictly for their appearance than other edible shrimps, and those with even two antennae or a part of a leg broken off is greatly reduced in value.
The reason is that they are considered to be valuable for their good appearance when served in their shells.
For more information about osechi, please check it from here: “2 Beautiful Japanese Foods in Boxes to Learn About” / “Osechi”
Japanese Spiny Lobster（Ise Ebi） and Lobster
Ise ebi is often compared to lobsters. Compared to Ise ebi, the lobster is plump. Since the lobster is more delicious when cooked, they are boiled in salted water and dipped in melted butter, or cooked in thermidor (a dish in which lobster meat in the shell is split in half, covered with a thick white sauce, sprinkled with cheese, and baked). On the other hand, the most typical way to eat the Ise ebi is as sashimi, Of course, they are also delicious grilled or fried.
Savor sashimi of Japanese spiny lobster（Ise ebi）
Sashimi will surprise you with its sweetness. It has a fine, smooth texture and is packed with rich flavor.
When you come to Ise, you can’t miss Ise ebi sashimi. This is because freshness is the name of the game when it comes to Ise ebi sashimi, and it is only available in Ise. The season is also important. The Ise ebi season is from fall to winter. When the water temperature drops, the Ise ebi begin to store flavor components in their bodies, making them even more delicious. If you can choose the season, you should choose this season.
Miso Soup of Ise Ebi
Ise ebi miso soup is a popular dish and is served at festive occasions to make the dining table looks luxurious. While the meat of the Ise ebi is eaten as sashimi or cooked, the head is used for miso soup, as it contains the rich soup stock of the Ise ebi.
It is available at Ise ebi specialty restaurants, but not all the restaurants have it, so if you really want to try it, you need to check the menu before entering the restaurant.
Advice ＆ Recommendations from a Native Japanese
Go to Futami
In the Edo period (in the early 17th to mid 19th Century), the proper route to visit to Ise Jingu started from “Misogi” (a purification ceremony in water) at Futamiura (seashore of Futami), and then, people visited Geku and Naiku, and finally climbed Mount Asama.
In those days, people performed misogi by bathing in tidal water, but today, people perform misogi by visiting the Futami Okitama Jinja shrine
There are two rocks (a husband rock and a wife rock) that are tightly connected by a large shimenawa (sacred rope), and they are called “Meoto-iwa” (Married Couple Rocks) near Futami Okitama Jinja shrine. Meoto-iwa is famous as a symbol of matchmaking.
From May to July, visitors can see the sunrise between the husband and wife rocks. Also, from October to January during full moon period, the moon rising between the husband and wife rocks can be seen.
Savor specialties of Ise
Matsusaka Beef
The lean meat of Matsusaka beef is deep red in color and has a concentrated meaty flavor. Matsusaka beef is characterized by a very fine marbling, a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and a sweet, deep, elegant aroma. Although Kobe beef is better known overseas, but Matsusaka beef is also a high-grade beef comparable to Kobe beef.
Matsusaka beef Steak is of course delicious, but if you are going to eat Matsusaka beef in Japan, try sukiyaki to fully appreciate its taste.
For more information about sukiyaki, please check it from here: “8 Japanese Foods to Learn About” / “Sukiyaki & Shabu-shabu”
Ise Udon (Japanese thick noodles)
If you are interested, I recommend trying Ise udon. Ise udon is very thick noodles dipped in a small amount of sauce. The sauce is a thick, black sauce made from “Tamari soy sauce” with dashi (Japanese soup stock) of dried bonito and kelp, but when you try it, you will be surprised to find that it is not as salty as it looks, but rather sweet in taste.
Regarding main ingredients, soy sauce is made from half soybeans and half wheat, tamari soy sauce, on the other hand, is made mostly from soybeans which makes thick and sweet taste compared to ordinary soy sauce.
For more information about dashi, please check it from here: “8 Japanese Foods to Learn About” / “Dashi”
The noodles of Ise udon are very thick, but the surface is very soft and the inside is chewy, which is quite different from the texture of ordinary udon. In the old days, the soft, easily digestible noodles would have been appreciated by the people who made long journeys to Ise Jingu from all parts of the country.
Because the noodles were extremely thick, they took a very long time to boil, and they were constantly being boiled so that they could be served to worshippers anytime an order was placed. There was no need to worry about the boiling time as the noodles did not get soggy even after being boiled for a long time.
Access Information
To Go to Geku of Ise Jingu
Geku
5 minutes from Iseshi station of Kintetsu Railway
5 minutes from Iseshi station of JR Line
Naiku
30 minutes from Isuzugawa station of Kintetsu Railway
From Isuzugawa station of Kintetsu Railway, take Mie Kotsu Bus to”Naiku-mae” bus stop which takes about 6 minutes.
To Go to Naiku from Geku
To go to Naiku from Geku, take Mie Kotsu Bus at “Geku-mae” bus stop located near Omotesando entrance of “Geku” to “Naiku-mae” bus stop which takes about 20 minutes . You can take the bus at No. 2 platform of the bus stop.
To Go to Okage Yokocho
5 minutes from Ujibashi Bridge of Naiku
From Ujiyamada station of Kintetsu Railway , take Mie Kotsu Bus for Naiku to Jingu-kaikan-mae bus stop which takes about 20 minutes.
To Go to Futami Okitama Jinja Shrine
15 minutes from Futami Ura station of JR Line
