Ise, Sacred Shinto shrine complex in Mie Prefecture, Japan
Ise is a city on the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture, stretching from the flat coastline of Ise Bay to forested hills inland. The settlement divides into older quarters near the shrines and newer areas along the railway lines and coast.
The settlements around the grand shrine merged during the Edo period into the town of Ujiyamada, which served as a pilgrimage destination for travelers from across the country. After 1955 neighboring villages joined and the name changed to Ise to underline the spiritual importance of the region.
The name Ise comes from the ancient kingdom that once covered this region, and the town grew for centuries as a spiritual center around the shrines. Visitors today encounter a city where religious buildings, pilgrimage routes, and traditional inns shape the townscape and define the rhythm of daily life.
Trains from Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya run regularly and reach the city's two main stations within a few hours. Those visiting the shrines should wear comfortable shoes, as the paths cross forested terrain and can be uneven in places.
Every twenty years the main shrines are completely dismantled and rebuilt on an adjacent site, using the same timber joinery and tools as centuries ago. This tradition ensures the passing of craft skills to each new generation and keeps knowledge of historical building techniques alive.
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