Jingū, as Ise Jingū is officially called, is the most sacred shrine complex in Shinto, centred on Kōtaijingū (Naikū, the Inner Shrine) and Toyo'uke-daijingū (Gekū, the Outer Shrine), which stand several kilometres apart in the forests of Ise. About 1,500 rituals are held here every year. Every twenty years the divine palaces are rebuilt on an alternate site next to the old ones, the Shikinen Sengū, a tradition the shrine traces back to 690; the 62nd was in 2013. Tradition asks visitors to pay their respects at Gekū first and then at Naikū.
Step 2 of 8Next: Visiting rules↓Visiting rules
Visiting with respect
- Purify at the temizuya first: rinse the left hand, the right hand, then your mouth from your cupped left hand; never put the dipper to your mouth.
- Pray with two deep bows, two claps and one more deep bow (nirei nihakushu ichirei).
- No eating, drinking or smoking in the precincts except in designated areas, and no photos at the place of prayer.
Hours and rules can change for festivals and services. Check the official site on the day.
Step 3 of 8Next: Getting there↓The route, stop by stop
The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.
Route
Stops
Gekū (Toyo'uke-daijingū, the Outer Shrine) → Sengūkan museum (inside Gekū) → Naikū (Kōtaijingū, the Inner Shrine), across Uji Bridge → Oharaimachi and Okage Yokochō · Directions in Google Maps ↗
- 1Kintetsu express from Nagoya to Iseshi, about 100 min, ¥1,740 (limited express ¥3,080, 80 min, all seats reserved; JR Mie rapid ¥2,040), then a 5-10 minute walk Map ↗
- 2By Magatama Pond inside the Gekū precinct; 09:00-16:30, last entry 16:00, closed 2nd and 4th Tuesday Map ↗
- 3Geku-Naiku loop bus (routes 51 or 55) or CAN Bus from Gekū-mae; the Michikusa day pass covers local buses for ¥1,300 Map ↗
- 4Walk from Uji Bridge: Oharaimachi is the traditional approach street to Naikū, with Okage Yokochō halfway along Map ↗
Travel legs add up to about ₹1,825 per person.
Step 4 of 8Next: Cost↓What it costs
A do-it-yourself budget for the visit: local transport and any entry fee. Donations and guided tours are extra.
What to book ahead
Where to stay and eat
Stay
Ise has several small guesthouses near Iseshi Station listed by the city tourism office: capsule or dorm beds from ¥2,500 (FOLK FOLK) to ¥4,000-4,500 (Kazamiso, Ise Guest House Sora), about ₹1,360-2,450, and private rooms from ¥7,500 (₹4,080). Taikōji temple lodging in Futami charges ¥3,500-4,500 per person with no meals. Prices vary by day and season.
Food
Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed inside the shrine precincts except in designated areas, so eat before or after. Oharaimachi and Okage Yokochō, on the approach to Naikū, are lined with restaurants and food stalls that serve pilgrims; we did not confirm specific prices or vegetarian options for this record.
Photos
Questions people ask
How many days do you need for Ise Jingū?
1 day, starting from Nagoya (Kintetsu train to Iseshi).
What is the best time for Ise Jingū?
Open every day of the year from 05:00. Closing time changes with the season: 19:00 from May to August, 18:00 in January-April and September, 17:00 from October to December. Go early in the morning for the quietest forest paths, and remember to visit Gekū first, then Naikū.
How much does Ise Jingū cost?
From about ₹2,800 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹1,825.
What needs to be booked in advance?
Order of visit (must book): The shrine asks: "Please visit Geku at first, and then visit Naiku." Plan the day from Iseshi Station (Gekū) to Naikū, not the other way round. Train from Nagoya: Kintetsu limited express seats are reserved, so book at the station or online; the slower express needs no reservation. Japan Rail Pass holders on the JR Mie pay a ¥520 supplement on board. Closing time by season (must book): Both shrines open at 05:00 and close at 17:00 (Oct-Dec), 18:00 (Jan-Apr, Sep) or 19:00 (May-Aug).
Where do pilgrims stay?
Ise has several small guesthouses near Iseshi Station listed by the city tourism office: capsule or dorm beds from ¥2,500 (FOLK FOLK) to ¥4,000-4,500 (Kazamiso, Ise Guest House Sora), about ₹1,360-2,450, and private rooms from ¥7,500 (₹4,080). Taikōji temple lodging in Futami charges ¥3,500-4,500 per person with no meals. Prices vary by day and season.
What about food?
Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed inside the shrine precincts except in designated areas, so eat before or after. Oharaimachi and Okage Yokochō, on the approach to Naikū, are lined with restaurants and food stalls that serve pilgrims; we did not confirm specific prices or vegetarian options for this record.
Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- isejingu.or.jp OfficialSeasonal hours, temizu steps, two bows two claps one bow, no photos at the area to pray, no eating/drinking/smoking except designated areas
- isejingu.or.jp OfficialVisit Gekū first then Naikū; addresses; Geku-Naiku loop line routes 51/55 and CAN Bus
- isejingu.or.jp OfficialOfficial name Jingū centred on Kōtaijingū (Naikū) and Toyo'uke-daijingū (Gekū); palace rebuilt every 20 years; 1,500 rituals a year; no fee listed
- isejingu.or.jp OfficialShikinen Sengū every 20 years, first at Naikū in 690, 62nd in 2013
- kankomie.or.jp OfficialSengūkan ¥300 adults / ¥100 children, 09:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00), closed 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
- en.ise-kanko.jp OfficialGuesthouse dorm and room prices in Ise
- en.ise-kanko.jp OfficialNaikū about 20 min by bus from Ujiyamada / Iseshi stations
- banque-france.fr OfficialEUR reference rates 7 Oct 2026 (JPY 176.85, USD 1.1177) for USD/JPY cross rate 158.2
- japan-guide.comNagoya-Ise fares and times (Kintetsu ¥3,080 / ¥1,740, JR Mie ¥2,040, JR Pass ¥520 supplement), Gekū 5-10 min walk from station, Michikusa Pass ¥1,300 (page updated May 2025)
- japan-guide.comShrines several km apart; Oharaimachi approach and Okage Yokochō
- cdn.gltjp.comFree admission to Naikū and Gekū (directory listing)
More sacred places and routes
Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 11 October 2026 · Photo: Zairon · CC BY 4.0 · source · Photo: そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Zairon · CC BY 4.0 · source · Photo: Kanchi1979 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
