【Mie】Finally visited the Ise Jingu Geku

Ise City, Mie Prefecture. The other day, I finally had the chance to visit Ise Jingu, a place I had long wanted to see. The Geku (Outer Shrine) enshrines Toyouke Omikami, and it is customary to visit the Geku first before proceeding to the Naiku (Inner Shrine). Despite being a weekday, there were many visitors, which was a testament to its immense popularity. The path leading to the shrine, surrounded by trees, felt incredibly refreshing. As I walked, listening to the sound of gravel crunching underfoot, I found myself feeling unexpectedly calm. Standing before the main shrine, the atmosphere became even more solemn. Simply clasping my hands in prayer brought a sense of purification to my heart. When I ventured further to Takamiya Shrine, it was much quieter, allowing for a more relaxed visit and a chance to experience a different kind of tranquility compared to the bustling main area. If you plan to visit Ise, start with the Geku. The unique experience, including the crowds, is something you can only find here. It’s such a wonderful place, so I highly recommend a visit. 📍Spot Name: Ise Jingu Geku Address: 279 Toyokawa-cho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture, 516-0042 ☎️ 0596-24-1111 🚃 About a 5-minute walk from JR/Kintetsu "Ise City Station" 🚗 About 5–7 minutes from "Ise Nishi IC" on the Ise Expressway.