"At least once, I’d like to make the pilgrimage to the Ise Grand Shrine.” From around the 12th century, commoners young and old alike longed to make the once-in-a-lifetime visit to pay their ...

Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, visited Ise Jingu shrine in Ise ... a “tamagushi” sacred “sakaki” tree branch in front of the Uchitamagaki minami ...