At which Shinto shrine is Amaterasu traditionally enshrined as the principal kami?

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At Ise Grand Shrine, Amaterasu is traditionally enshrined as the principal kami.

Ise Grand Shrine, formally known as Jingū, is a major Shinto shrine complex in Mie Prefecture. Its Inner Shrine, Naikū, is dedicated to Amaterasu Ōmikami, the sun goddess and traditionally identified ancestral deity of Japan’s imperial family. The Outer Shrine, Gekū, is dedicated primarily to Toyouke Ōmikami, associated with food and agriculture.

The complex consists of many shrines, but Naikū is the central focus of the Amaterasu tradition. The sanctuary is approached through a torii and a bridge over the Isuzu River, with worship taking place before the main structure rather than through public access to its innermost area.

Ise is also known for Shikinen Sengū, the periodic rebuilding and transfer ceremony traditionally carried out every twenty years. The practice preserves architectural forms and ritual continuity, although the schedule has sometimes been affected by historical circumstances.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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