Adventure in Mie Prefecture - Part 3

 This is the last part of the Mie Prefecture adventure.

Now it's time to visit Ise Jingu Naiku (Inner Shrine). We have to walk through the torii gate and cross the Uji Bridge. This is the main access to the Naiku.

As we cross the bridge we see the barrier that is set up to protect the bride from large tree branches that might float down the river during the rainy season. 

Passing through another torii gate on our way to the river to purify ourselves. 

People take turns at the river's edge performing the purifying ritual. 

I took this picture so that people could get an idea of how big the cedar trees are here.

People are lined up at this shrine to offer thanks and prayers. If the curtain moves it's a puff of breath from the Gods. The curtain moves! After I took this picture a shrine attendant told me that photography was prohibited in this area. I apologized and put my camera back in the bag.  

Moving on to the next shrine. By-the-way, I'm taking these pictures in black & white because the Sunlight is so harsh and there are shadows everywhere. Taking the pictures in color looked terrible.

The tour guide pauses the group to explain some of the history of the Naiku area.

I like how this tree is in the middle of the stone steps. 

Working our way to the exit.

Getting ready to cross back over the Uji Bridge.

Foot traffic on the bridge is controlled. Keep to the right, don't walk down the middle. The middle is for the Gods.

Here's Emi! And, we're back where we started!

Day 3: Time to climb a mountain and visit the gateway to heaven!

After driving halfway up Mt. Asama we got off the bus and started our walk at this temple.

The temple is a nice scarlet red color.

It's very peaceful here.

As we walk to the top our guide explains things as we go.

There are only two men in our tour group, the rest are women and none of them are young. One woman is in her 80's and she is having no problem keeping up with the rest of us.

We reach the peak! This is not what I was expecting too see. 

Okay, this is more like what I was expecting too see.

Once you've been to the top there's nothing else to do but to go back down.

The guide leads us down a different route to get back. 

We are gathered outside the gateway to heaven.

This is it, we're going in!

The path to the shrine is lined with wood memorial markers.

This place is pretty amazing!

We arrive at the shrine.

The road back to the gateway.

The wood markers are so tall. The guide says that the taller they are the more expensive they are.

Words can't describe the feeling of walking through here.

Back at the gateway.

From the gateway we walked to a gift shop and observation platform.

From up here one has an excellent view of the Ise Shima islands.

It's a little hazy today but that's okay, it's still a lot of fun to be here.

Well that's it! It's time to get back on the bus and start our long journey home.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike

Bonus shots!