The Japanese Mecca

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Ise Jingu is one of Shinto’s holiest shrines and probably the most important site for Japan’s indigenous religion.
Spread over a sprawling, leafy area in Mie Prefecture, Ise is entwined with the very fabric of Japan. The offices of high priest or priestess are filled by members of Imperial Family, with the current high priest the great-grandson of the Meiji Emperor.

The tranquility I had expected during my visit a few weeks ago was conspicuous by its absence, shattered by busloads of tourists wearing garish jackets and chattering noisily as they followed the tour leader’s flag.

Nearly all the day-trippers were elderly, beaming huge grins of satisfaction. I was perplexed: where were all the youngsters?

Slowly the penny dropped.

Just as devout Muslims must complete the Hajj at least once in their life, so must true Shintoists make the pilgrimage to Ise while still on this earth. For the ecstatic pilgrims on that wintry morning, it was mission accomplished: they beaten had the clock, and made it to the shrine before old father time taps.

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