EXTRA ~ Ise Jingu Geku

Disclaimer: There aren't any foxes here, but I can't possibly write a blog about Shinto Shrines and not include THE most important Shrine in all of Japan. So here you go!

Japanese Name: 伊勢神宮外宮
Romanized Reading: Ise Jingu Geku
English Translation: Ise Shrine Outer Shrine
Size: Complex
Deity: Toyouke
First Visit: 14-Sep-2023  
Location: Ise
Address: 279 Toyokawacho, Ise, Mie 516-0042
Coordinates: 34.487,136.702

The outer shrine is actually the one that's closer to the heart of the city, and occupies an area of approximately 40 acres on the flank of Takakurayama (高倉山 "Tall Warehouse Mountain"). The deity enshrined here is Toyouke, one of the three great Earthly Deities. Most of the shrine grounds are actually forested, with broad gravel paths leading through it.

In addition to the main shrine (shown at the very top) that is so sacred that you may only take pictures from the outside, there are also a number of smaller side shrines distributed across the grounds.

And here's the Kanguraden (神楽殿 "Divine Music Mansion"), where the sacred Kagura dances are performed.

Finally, here's a map of the whole complex. Note that south is facing up on this map. As a rule, billboard maps in Japan are always oriented in such a way that the direction you're currently facing is up on the map.