Ise Jingu is one of Japan's most ancient shrines. Its expansive precinct, covering 5,500 hectares, actually encompasses 125 shrines, at which Shinto deities are honored. In October 2013, there was a ceremonial transfer of deities between sanctuaries ... (more)that happens once every 20 years. For centuries, a visit to Ise Jingu has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. More recently, it has gained a reputation as a "power spot". On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is Ise Jingu.

Peter Barakan, Stuart Varnam-Atkin