Beyond Sightseeing: Step Inside the Sacred Rail as an "Ujiko" at a Historic Shrine

Most travelers only see Japan’s shrines from the outside—tossing a coin, bowing, and snapping a photo. But what if you could step inside? In Meiwa Town, the gateway to the Ise-Shima region, you are invited into the quiet world where centuries-old traditions still breathe. You will be welcomed not as a tourist, but as an honored guest by the "Ujiko"—the local guardians who have cared for this shrine for generations.

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Meiwa Tourism Trading Company General Incorporated Association

The entrance to Oise-san, Meiwa-cho. Meiwa Town is a town where the Miyako ``Saikyu'', where the princess of the imperial family, ``Saio'', who served Amaterasu Omikami at Ise Grand Shrine in place of the Emperor, once lived, remains as a historical site.

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Table of Contents
The Transformation: Becoming a Guardian
Service in the Sacred Silence
Stepping into the Inner Sanctuary
Craft Your Own Goshuin & Receive an Exclusive Keepsake
"Naorai": A Feast of Gratitude & Connection
Reservations and details

The Transformation: Becoming a Guardian

Your journey begins with a transformation. You will shed your street clothes and change into Samue, the traditional work robes worn by the Ujiko guardians. This is not a costume; it is a uniform of service. Before entering the grounds, you will undergo a purification ritual to cleanse your mind and spirit.

Service in the Sacred Silence

Alongside the Ujiko, you will take up a bamboo rake to cleanse the shrine grounds. Crucially, this experience grants you access to areas usually strictly forbidden to the public, such as deep within the worship hall. In the crisp morning air, the rhythmic sound of the rake against the gravel becomes a form of moving meditation. As you sweep away the fallen leaves in these hallowed spaces, you are also sweeping away the clutter of your daily life.

Stepping into the Inner Sanctuary

Having served the deity through cleaning, you are granted a rare privilege: Tokubetsu Sanpai (Special Worship). You will step beyond the barrier into the inner sanctuary to offer your prayers directly to the deity.Here, the priest will guide you in the formal ritual of Tamagushi Hairei. You will offer a sacred branch to the deity and perform the traditional bows and claps. In this heavy silence, just meters from the deity's seat, you will feel the spiritual heart of Japan.

Craft Your Own Goshuin & Receive an Exclusive Keepsake

Following your prayers, you will craft your own Goshuin (shrine seal). Instead of simply buying one, you will sit down to press the vermilion stamps and brush the ink yourself. This handmade talisman becomes a physical embodiment of your personal spiritual journey.In addition to your own creation, you will also receive a special, limited-edition Goshuin available only to participants of this "One-Day Ujiko" experience. These two seals serve as a lasting memory of your deep connection to the shrine.

"Naorai": A Feast of Gratitude & Connection

In Shinto tradition, a ritual is not complete until humans and gods share a meal. This is called Naorai.You will sit down with the priest and community members to enjoy a special lunch called "Saio's Treasure Box," a recreation of aristocratic meals from the past. Savoring local ingredients and sweets, you will share stories and smiles with the locals. This intimate exchange is where the true warmth of Japanese hospitality lies.

Reservations and details

Make a reservation here

*Group discounts are available the more people who participate.

Written by

Meiwa Tourism Trading Company General Incorporated Association

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