Uji-bashi Bridge — Attraction in Ise

One of the most memorable moments from our visit to Ise Jingu was stepping onto the Uji-bashi Bridge, the symbolic gateway to the sacred Naiku (Inner Shrine). It’s not just a bridge—it marks the boundary between the everyday world and the divine realm of the gods.

Made of plain Japanese cypress, the bridge has a simple, elegant design that blends beautifully with the surrounding nature. As we walked across it, there was a real sense of calm and reverence. Knowing that this bridge is rebuilt every 20 years as part of the shrine’s renewal tradition made the experience even more meaningful. It felt like walking on something ancient and yet ever-new—a quiet but powerful reminder of the impermanence and renewal central to Shinto belief.

We paused halfway to admire the view of the Isuzu River, which flowed gently beneath us. It was serene, and the sound of the water added to the atmosphere of peace before entering the forested path leading to the Inner Shrine.

Crossing Uji-bashi wasn’t just a walk—it was a gentle transition into a sacred space, both physically and spiritually. A beautiful start to the Ise...

The famous cypress bridge marks the entrance into the magical world of Ise. A bridge is 100m long. For as is the tradition here in Ise, every 20 years, the two main buildings of the sanctuary (the Naiku and Geku) are destroyed and rebuilt identically. Under the bridge flows the river Isuzu, strongly associated with the history and the temples of Ise.

Before crossing, on the left, tourists scattered in the shopping Oharai-machi, looking for souvenirs, snacks, or queuing in front of the famous...

A calm place, out in nature, and occupying a special place in the hearts of Japanese people. This is a sort of Japanese Mecca, a place where people want to visit at least once. Of course, this being the case, there are crowds of people. I went on a weekday, and it was bustling even then, but with frequent buses...