The Grand Shrines of Ise
	<-(166K)	These consist of the Inner Shrine(Naiku) dedicated to Amaterasu, the Goddess of the Sun and highest among Japan's many deities,the Outer Shrine(Geku)where Toyouke,the Goddess of the Harvest is worshipped, and 125 smaller shrines built includng the Shrines of Izawa and Takihara. The white wooden shinto shrine in the style known as Yuiitsu-shinmei-zukuri,which is said to be Japan's most ancientarchitectural style, is rebuilt once every twenty years, and the garbs of the priests and shrine treasures are also replaced with new ones. This ceremony,known as "Shikinen Sengu,"was first performed during the reign of the Empress Jito and the building techniques used at that time have been passed down through the generations.
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