Visiting the Outer Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine

We took the Kintetsu train from Matsusaka to Ise City Station. Upon exiting the station, the approach to the Outer Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine is directly in front of us. The official recommended route for visiting Ise Grand Shrine is to start with the Outer Shrine and then proceed to the Inner Shrine, which is the order we followed. The Outer Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to Toyouke Omikami, the deity of food, clothing, and shelter. The entire Outer Shrine area is divided into the Main Shrine, Wind Shrine, Earth Shrine, and Taga Shrine, which are auxiliary shrines. The Wind Shrine and Earth Shrine respectively honor the gods of wind and land, complementing the Main Shrine. To the north of the Outer Shrine lies the less-traveled North Approach, offering a tranquil landscape that allows visitors to better experience the mindset of ancient worshippers. On the day of our visit, a light drizzle fell, refreshing and moistening the air. The sacred grounds were serene and peaceful, evoking a sense of drowsiness, as if time itself slowed down with the falling rain.