Updated 23 September 2025 at 15:52 IST
8 Fascinating Facts You Need to Know About Japan's Most Sacred Shrine That Is Completely Torn Down and Remade Every 20 Years
Discover 8 incredible facts about Ise Jingu, Japan's sacred shrine rebuilt every 20 years, exploring its rituals, history, and timeless renewal.
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Ise Jingu has been rebuilt from scratch every 20 years for over 1,300 years.
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The shrine’s rebuilding ritual is called Shikinen Sengū.
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The inner shrine honors Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess.
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Construction lasts about nine years and costs about $390 million.
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The 125 shrine buildings and 1,500 objects are remade in every cycle.
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Every rebuilding involves new generations learning ancient techniques.
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33 ceremonies and festivals accompany each rebuilding, ending with a sacred ritual.
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Amazingly, the shrine’s 1,300-year rebuilding tradition has been interrupted just two times—once during civil wars in the 15th-16th centuries and once following World War II.
Image: APPublished By : Avipsha Sengupta
Published On: 23 September 2025 at 15:39 IST