Outer Shrine (Geku)
The Outer Shrine (外宮, Gekū) is one of the two main shrines making up the Ise Shrines in Ise City. Formally known as the Toyouke Daijingu, the Outer Shrine enshrines Toyouke Omikami, the Shinto deity and guardian of food, housing and clothing. Toyouke provides the food for the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu Omikami, who is enshrined at the Inner Shrine, four kilometers to the south. The Outer Shrine is traditionally visited before the Inner Shrine.
The Outer Shrine is believed to have been established over 1500 years ago, about 500 years after the Inner Shrine. Like the Inner Shrine, it is rebuilt every 20 years (the next time in 2033) and features an architectural style that is almost free of influence from the Asian mainland. The grounds of the Outer Shrine are a little bit smaller compared to the Inner Shrine's. They are traversed on gravel-covered walking paths that lead through a forest of tall trees.
At the entrance to the shrine grounds stands the Sengukan Museum. Opened in 2012 on the occasion of the shrine's most recent rebuilding, the museum explains visitors the monumental shrine rebuilding process. The museum's outstanding exhibits include a fourth of a 1:1 replica of the Inner Shrine's main building as well as a beautiful 1:20 model of the main sanctuary. An English pamphlet and audio guide are available, but all the signs are in Japanese only.
The shrine's main sanctuary is reached in about a five minute walk from the Sengukan Museum and is quite similar to the one at the Inner Shrine. The main building is surrounded by multiple sets of fences, and visitors are not allowed beyond the outermost of them. Only partially visible, the main building features forked roof finishings (chigi) that are cut vertically at their tips and nine decorative wooden beams (katsuogi).
A number of auxiliary shrines stand not far from the main sanctuary at the base and summit of a small hill. They include the Kazenomiya, dedicated to the god of wind; the Tsuchinomiya, dedicated to the god of the land; and Takanomiya, dedicated to the spirit of Toyouke.
Getting there and around
The Outer Shrine is located in central Ise, about a ten minute walk from Iseshi or Ujiyamada Station. Frequent buses connect the Outer Shrine with the Inner Shrine (15 minutes, 470 yen one way). The Outer Shrine is also served by the CAN buses.
How to get to and around the Shima Peninsula
Hours and Fees
Outer Shrine
Hours
5:00 to 19:00 (May to August)
5:00 to 17:00 (October to December)
Closed
Admission
Sengukan Museum
Hours
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Ise Shima
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Kamenoi Hotel TobaA luxury hotel with 13 types of guestrooms and lavish dining options featuring fresh seafood, Japanese spiny lobster, and Matsuzaka beef. Located near popular sites in Ise-Shima, including Ise Shrine.View siteSponsored
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Guesthouse Ise FutamiGuesthouse Ise Futami, a property with a shared lounge, is located in Ise, 8.6 km from Ise Grand Shrine, 8.2 km from Oharai-machi, as well as 1.9 km from Futamiokitama Shrine. This guest house provides free private parking, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. The accommodation offers luggage storage space, a housekeeping service and organising tours for guests. Some units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kettle, as well as a fully equipped kitchen. In some units there is a dressing room for guests to change in. The area is popular for cycling and fishing, and bike hire is available at this 1-star guest house. Sun Arena is 2.5 km from the guest house, while Ise Azuchi-Momoyama Culture Village is 2.7 km away. The nearest airport is Nagoya Airport, 149 km from Guesthouse Ise Futami.View on Booking.com -
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HoshidekanLocated 500 metres from Kintetsu Iseshi Train Station, Hoshidekan Ryokan (a member of the Japanese Inn Group) is a wooden building that was built in the 1920's and provides Japanese-style rooms with free WiFi, an LCD TV and traditional futon bedding. It has shared bath and a courtyard garden. Rooms at Hoshidekan have paper screens, a tatami (woven-straw) floor and a low wooden table. An air conditioner, slippers and green tea are provided. Bathrooms, toilets and washroom are shared. The Geku Ise Shrine is a 18-minute walk from the hotel. On-site parking is free and requires a reservation. The hotel has baths that can be reserved for private use, and a free-use internet station is provided at the lobby. A coin launderette is available. Guests staying with a meal plan will be served Japanese breakfast in the dining room.View on Booking.com -
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Ise Guest House Sora5.2 km from Ise Grand Shrine, Ise Guest House Sora is a recently renovated property set in Ise and offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. It is located 4.2 km from Oharai-machi and features luggage storage space. Parking on-site is available and the guest house also provides free use of bicycles for guests who want to explore the surrounding area. All units at the guest house come with a seating area. The units are equipped with a safety deposit box and certain rooms here will provide you with river views. The units feature a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. There is a coffee shop on-site. Ise Shrine Geku is 1.5 km from the guest house, while Matsuo Kannonji Temple is 2.1 km away. The nearest airport is Nagoya Airport, 143 km from Ise Guest House Sora.View on Booking.com -
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Hinode RyokanConveniently located just a 2-minute walk from Iseshi Train Station, Hinode Ryokan is Japanese-style accommodation with a historic charm. Ise-jingu Shrine’s Geku (outer shrine) is a 5-minute walk away. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Ise-jingu Shrine’s Naiku (inner shrine) is a 20-minute bus ride away. Futami Sea Paradise Aquarium can be reached within a 25-minute walk. Fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, each room comes with facilities like a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. Guests can unwind at a seating area with a low table and cushions. Bathroom and toilets are shared with other guests. Ryokan Hinode offers bicycle rental services on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests can enjoy playing table tennis on site, and drinks vending machines are available. Traditional Japanese set meal can be served for breakfast in the privacy of the guestroom. There are many restaurants around the property, as well.View on Booking.com -
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Ise Guest House KazamiNewly built in November 2018 as a dodecagon-shaped building, featuring an indoor garden at the atrium, Ise Guest House Kazami offers dormitory and private rooms. Guests can cook their own meals at the shared kitchen and use free WiFi in the entire building. All rooms feature air conditioning and heating facilities. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Towels are available for an extra cost. The free-use kitchen provides a microwave, a fridge and an electric kettle. A small library is available for guests to spend their time in. A coin-launderette is on site as well. Kazami Guest House Ise is only a 2-minute walk from JR Iseshi Train Station, 5-minute walk from Ise Shrine and a 10-minute drive from Yamatohime no Miya Shrine. Meoto Iwa Wedded Rocks are a 30-minute train ride away. Free coffee and tea are available, while bread can be purchased on site.View on Booking.com -
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Weekly Mansion Ise No.6Weekly Mansion Ise No.6 offers accommodation in Funaech?. Ise is 1.9 km from the property. Free WiFi is provided . JR Iseshi Station and Ujiyamada Station are both 3 minutes on foot. The accommodation has a flat-screen TV. All units feature a kitchenette fitted with a microwave and toaster. A fridge and stovetop are also offered, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. Each unit comes with a private bathroom with a bath. Towels are featured. Free-use bicycles are available at the proeprty. Ise Shrine Geku is a 10-minute stroll. Toba is 11 km from Weekly Mansion Ise No.6, while Tsu is 33 km away. The nearest airport is Chubu Airport, 42 km from Weekly Mansion Ise No.6.View on Booking.com -
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Taikoji Shukubo HostelTaikoji Shukubo Hostel is situated in Ise, 8 km from Ise Grand Shrine. Free private parking is available on site. All rooms are air conditioned and bathroom facilities are shared. Taikoji Shukubo Hostel features free WiFi throughout the property. There is a shared lounge at the property. Instant noodles and instant Japanese curry is available for purchase on site. There is a microwave and an electric kettle in the dining room at Taikoji Shukubo Hostel. Oharai-machi is 8 km from Taikoji Shukubo Hostel, while Ise Sea Paradise is 300 metres away. The nearest airport is Chubu Airport, 39 km from the property. Taikoji Shukubo Hostel is located on a mountain and is accessible via 100 steps from the parking lot.View on Booking.com -
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Comfort Hotel IseComfort Hotel Ise is set in Ise, 5.9 km from Ise Grand Shrine and 3.6 km from Oharai-machi. Featuring free bikes, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, each room is fitted with a desk and a flat-screen TV. At Comfort Hotel Ise all rooms have bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Speaking English and Japanese, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical information on the area at the 24-hour front desk. Ise Shrine Geku is less than 1 km from Comfort Hotel Ise, while Matsuo Kannonji Temple is 2.8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Nagoya Airport, 143 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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Tabist Asanokan Annex Iroha IseFeaturing 3-star accommodation, Tabist Asanokan Annex Iroha Ise is located in Ise, 10 km from Ise Grand Shrine and 9.3 km from Oharai-machi. The property is set 700 metres from Futamiokitama Shrine, 2 km from Matsushita Shrine and 2.1 km from Ise Azuchi-Momoyama Culture Village. Matsuo Kannonji Temple is 6.2 km from the hotel and Dolphin Island is 10 km away. At the hotel each room has air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Sun Arena is 3.4 km from Tabist Asanokan Annex Iroha Ise, while Makonde Art Museum is 4.2 km away. The nearest airport is Nagoya Airport, 150 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Toyoko Inn Iseshi EkiToyoko Inn Iseshi Eki is situated in Ise, 7.1 km from Ise Grand Shrine and 4.8 km from Oharai-machi. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Free private parking is available and the hotel also features a shuttle service for guests who want to explore the surrounding area. At the hotel, rooms include a desk and a flat-screen TV. At Toyoko Inn Iseshi Eki rooms have bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Staff at Toyoko Inn Iseshi Eki are always available to provide advice at the reception. Ise Shrine Geku is 1.3 km from the hotel, while Matsuo Kannonji Temple is 4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Nagoya Airport, 129 km from Toyoko Inn Iseshi Eki.View on Booking.com
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