Shukubo (shrine stay)
Ise-Jingu Shrine is the most prestigious of the approximately 80,000 shrines in Japan. It has a history of 2000 years and enshrines Amaterasu Omikami (Goddess of the Sun).
Jingu-Kaikan is a lodging facility run by the Ise-Jingu Shrine Worship Association. The Naiku Shrine of Ise Jingu is about a 5-minute walk away.
I stayed in a 10 tatami Japanese-style room. The room was equipped with a TV, refrigerator, safe and sink. Towels, bath towels, yukata robes, and toothbrushes were provided.
The baths are available from 3pm to 0am and from 5am to 9:30am.
Inside the shukubo, there are many exhibits explaining the history of Ise-Jingu Shrine and landscape photos. The display of ritual implements was also impressive.
Dinner
The dinner menu consisted of grilled clams, soy milk hotpot, sashimi, steamed egg custard, edamame dumplings with thickened sauce, sesame tofu, dried shark, rice, soup, pickles, and purple sweet potato jelly.
Dried shark has been a traditional food made by salting and drying since ancient times, and is also offered to the goddess. As I chewed, the flavor slowly began to seep out.
They had a sake called Hakutaka so I ordered it. This is also a drink offered to the goddess. It was an easy-to-drink sake with not much of a distinctive flavor.
Early morning worship
The next morning, I was guided by the staff of Jingu-Kaikan to visit Ise-Jingu Shrine. Unlike during the day, there are no tourists, so the shrine grounds are very quiet.
I crossed Uji Bridge, purified myself in the Isuzu River, and prayed at the main shrine. It was a lot of fun because the staff explained things to me at each location.
After the worship, I had breakfast. The menu includes rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and soft-boiled eggs. I had been walking since morning so I had plenty to eat.
