Kōtaijingū, Ancient Shinto shrine in Uji, Japan
Kōtaijingū is the inner shrine in Ise and features wooden buildings constructed in the Shinmei-zukuri architectural style surrounded by dense forest. The complex is laid out with gravel pathways that guide visitors through a serene, secluded setting.
The shrine was founded over 2000 years ago when an emperor moved the sacred mirror of the sun goddess from the imperial palace to Ise. This relocation established the site as one of Japan's most important religious centers.
The shrine is dedicated to the worship of the sun goddess Amaterasu, whose veneration here forms the spiritual heart of Shinto. Visitors can sense the deep religious meaning of the place in how pilgrims conduct themselves in prayer.
Visitors enter through the Uji Bridge and can purify themselves at the Isuzugawa River before viewing the main shrine from designated viewing areas. The inner sanctuary remains off-limits to the public, so respect the boundaries marked for visitors.
The entire complex undergoes complete reconstruction every 20 years, a process that preserves traditional building techniques and renews spiritual purity. This practice means the wood and structure never age, keeping the sanctuary in a timeless state.
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