Japan's Sacred Shrine Reborn Every 20 Years

Japan's revered Ise Jingu shrine is currently in the midst of Shikinen Sengu, a remarkable ritual involving its complete reconstruction, an event that has occurred every 20 years for the past 1,300 years. This cycle, which began in May 2025, offers a rare opportunity for visitors to witness a deeply significant tradition connected to the sun goddess Amaterasu.

The Shikinen Sengu process meticulously dismantles older structures to build new ones, ensuring the shrine's constant regeneration. This practice sustains vital traditional craftsmanship, with over 2,000 artisans involved in remaking every element using ancient techniques. Materials from dismantled buildings are reused, reinforcing a cyclical relationship between forest, shrine, and community, embodying the Shintō concept of tokowaka, or eternal youth through renewal.