Princess Aiko visited the Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture on Aug. 1 and 2 to attend the traditional Okihiki ceremony [1].
This visit marks a significant engagement with the most important Shinto ritual of the Imperial family. The ceremony is part of the preparations for the periodic rebuilding of the shrine, a process that ensures the continuity of spiritual and architectural traditions in Japan.
Princess Aiko arrived at the outer shrine at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 2 [2]. Her trip spanned two days, beginning on Aug. 1 when she traveled via Shinkansen and Kintetsu railway to reach Ise City [3]. During the first day of her visit, she toured the Yamada Workshop, where the timber used for the shrine's halls is processed [3].
The princess participated in the 63rd Okihiki ceremony [4]. This event is a critical component of the Shikinen Sengu, the tradition of rebuilding the shrine every 20 years [5]. This specific cycle of rebuilding is scheduled for completion in 2033 [6].
The Imperial Household Agency said the princess visited the prefecture for a one-night, two-day itinerary to inspect the events leading up to the rebuilding [7]. This trip marks the third time Princess Aiko has visited the Ise Shrine [8].
The Mie Prefectural Government said on July 9 that the princess would perform shrine worship and observe the Okihiki proceedings [9]. The ritual involves the traditional hauling of logs to the site where the new shrines will be constructed, symbolizing the renewal of the sacred space.
“The ceremony is part of the preparations for the periodic rebuilding of the shrine.”
Princess Aiko's participation in the Okihiki ceremony reinforces the Imperial family's role as the primary custodians of Shinto traditions. By engaging in the preparations for the 2033 rebuilding, she maintains the visibility of the monarchy within Japan's most sacred spiritual site and supports the preservation of ancient craftsmanship and ritual purity required for the 20-year cycle.
