Inner Shrine

The Inner Shrine, officially named Kōtai Jingū, is one of the most important Shintō shrines in Japan, located near Ise city in Mie Prefecture. Tradition states it was first built in 4 BCE, though archaeological evidence suggests a later origin, possibly the 3rd century CE. It is dedicated to Amaterasu Ōmikami, the sun goddess and mythical ancestor of the Japanese imperial family. The shrine houses the Sacred Mirror, one of Japan's Three Sacred Treasures. The main building is a traditional Japanese cypress hut, and the entire shrine complex is reconstructed every 20 years in a ritual called shikinen sengū. This practice, dating back to the 7th century, has been maintained almost continuously, symbolizing renewal and purity. The Inner Shrine is a significant pilgrimage and tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually.12