Takihara-no-Miya

Takihara-no-Miya, located in Taiki Town, Watarai District, Mie Prefecture, is an auxiliary shrine of Ise Jingu (the Inner Shrine) and a prestigious ancient shrine dedicated to the spirit of Amaterasu Omikami. Because it sits in a mountain valley away from the city of Ise, it is also called the distant shrine, and it is considered one of the former Ise sites where Amaterasu Omikami is said to have temporarily resided. The approach, wrapped in aged giant cedars, is filled with a pure air reminiscent of the Inner Shrine.

Highlights

• Solemn Cedar-Lined Approach: The approach lined with giant cedars that seem to pierce the sky is a sacred precinct in itself. Just walking it is a mystical experience that cleanses the heart.
• Purification at the Tondo River: A clear stream flowing alongside the approach, long used as a place to purify oneself before worship. The flow of clear water is also a sight to see.
• Two Main Halls: A rare arrangement in which two shrines stand side by side: Takihara-no-Miya, enshrining the gentle spirit of Amaterasu Omikami, and Takihara-narabi-no-Miya, enshrining the rough spirit.

Enjoying the Seasons

Surrounded by deep forest, it is cool even in summer and ideal for forest bathing. The fresh greenery of spring and the colorful foliage of autumn are also beautiful, allowing for worship in stillness throughout the year. Since it is less crowded than Ise Jingu, it is especially recommended for those who want to savor the air of a sacred precinct at leisure. Walking through the clear air of early morning makes for an even more refreshing visit.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 872 Takihara, Taiki Town, Watarai District, Mie Prefecture
• Access: About a 15 to 20-minute walk from Takihara Station on the JR Kisei Main Line. By car, about 5 to 10 minutes from the Omiya-Odai Interchange on the Kisei Expressway.
• Hours: Daytime (the bright hours from early morning to evening are recommended)
• Admission: Free
• Parking: Available

Practical Travel Notes

• Best time of day: Early morning has fewer people, letting you walk the sunlight-dappled approach in quiet. In summer the forest is cool and comfortable even at midday.
• Time needed: A round trip along the approach and worship at the two shrines takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Adding a stroll by the Tondo River lets you enjoy it more leisurely.
• Nearby spots: The Inner Shrine of Ise Jingu is about 40 minutes to an hour away by car, so it pairs well with the route toward the Ise area or with a trip toward the Nanki and Kumano regions.
• Budget: Worship is free. Including a goshuin seal and amulets, a visit costs from a few hundred to around a thousand yen.

A Quick Tip

When you visit Ise Jingu, be sure to make the trip to Takihara-no-Miya as well. With few tourists, you can fully savor the stillness of a true sacred precinct. As the approach is long and surrounded by nature, worshipping in comfortable shoes is recommended. Public transport is infrequent, so coming by car is convenient.

📚 Sources

Public information from the Jingu Shicho office that administers Takihara-no-Miya and guidance from the Taiki Town Tourism Association are helpful for worship and the state of the sacred grounds. Ise Jingu’s public information can also be checked for its status as an auxiliary shrine.

The best times to worship and the frequency of public transport vary by season. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please confirm with official sources before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: About 30 minutes to an hour to walk the approach round trip and worship the two shrines; including a stroll along the Tondo River allows a more leisurely visit.
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes, as the approach is long and surrounded by nature; early morning lets you walk the sunlit approach quietly.
• Suggested route: Walk the cedar-lined approach, worship the two shrines of Takihara-no-Miya and Takiharanarabi-no-Miya, and view the clear Tondo River; it fits into a trip toward Ise or Nanki and Kumano.