Ise’s Shiraishimochi event

Ise’s Shiraishimochi event is a traditional observance held in conjunction with the Shikinen Sengu of Ise Jingu, in which the shrine’s former domain residents offer white stones to the Inner and Outer Shrines. White stones are carried by river and overland, as local people serve in the construction of the shrine.

About Ise’s Shiraishimochi event

Ise’s Shiraishimochi event is a religious observance held for the Shikinen Sengu of Ise Jingu, in which white stones are offered to be laid within the enclosure of the new sanctuary building.

Residents of Ise use offering carts and sleds to carry the white stones to the Inner and Outer Shrines.

Customs and rituals long carried out by the shrine’s former domain residents have been passed down, and the event is regarded as a way for local people to serve the shrine during the relocation.

Source: 国指定文化財等データベース / 伊勢の「白石持ち」行事｜伊勢市公式ホームページ

Festival highlights

Highlights include the procession carrying white stones on offering carts or sleds, and the series of acts to offer them to the Inner and Outer Shrines.

The event takes the form of river transport at the Inner Shrine and overland transport at the Outer Shrine, with the different methods of carrying the stones being a distinctive feature.

Local people of Ise serve the shrine in conjunction with the Shikinen Sengu, giving this event its unique charm as regional faith and ancient rituals are expressed through concrete acts.

An event carrying white stones and bringing Ise’s prayers to a new sanctuary

What to expect

During the event, white stones to be laid within the enclosure are loaded onto offering carts and carried to the Inner or Outer Shrine to be offered.

At the Inner Shrine, the stones are carried by river along the Isuzu River; at the Outer Shrine, they are carried overland on offering carts.

A system has also been established for worshippers from across Japan to make offerings as special shrine-domain residents, but participation systems and application requirements vary by occasion, so check the information for the relevant year.

Location and access

Venue and address

This event is associated with the Inner and Outer Shrines of Ise Jingu.

The Inner Shrine is at 1 Uji-Tachicho, Ise, Mie Prefecture, and the Outer Shrine is at 279 Toyokawacho, Ise, Mie Prefecture.

Train and bus

Kintetsu Railway and JR Central can be used.

Mie Kotsu operates local bus routes 51 and 55, as well as the CAN Bus sightseeing bus.

By car

Driving directions to the area around Ise Jingu are provided for routes from Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and other areas.

Parking

During the year-end and New Year holidays, Golden Week, and other consecutive holidays, a Park & Bus Ride service may operate, with shuttle buses running from temporary parking lots.

Source: 交通アクセス｜伊勢神宮

Address Kotaijingu (Inner Shrine): 1 Uji-Tachicho, Ise, Mie / Toyouke Daijingu (Outer Shrine): 279 Toyokawacho, Ise, Mie

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Dates and season

In Ise Jingu’s schedule for the 63rd Shikinen Sengu, the O-Shiraishimochi event is listed as taking place from July to August in Reiwa 15 (2033).

Shiraishimochi takes place in accordance with the progress of the Shikinen Sengu, so it is not held on fixed dates every year.

Source: 遷宮予定年表｜第63回神宮式年遷宮｜式年遷宮｜伊勢神宮

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写真：N yotarou / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Origins and History of Ise’s Shiraishimochi event

The Shiraishimochi event involves carrying white stones to be used as paving stones for the new sanctuary building, in conjunction with the Shikinen Sengu of Ise Jingu.

Explanations of the cultural property describe it as a religious observance carried out by the shrine’s former domain residents since ancient times, with old customs and rituals passed down through generations.

According to information from Ise City, offerings were once made separately by the domains of the Inner and Outer Shrines, but now they are offered to both shrines.

Official information

The official Ise City website provides an overview of Ise’s Shiraishimochi event, its designation as a cultural property, and the methods of offering the stones.

For upcoming events related to the Shikinen Sengu, see Ise Jingu’s schedule for the 63rd Shikinen Sengu.