Princess Aiko arrived in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, on Saturday afternoon to inspect woodworking for the Ise Shrine's rebuilding process [1].

This visit underscores the royal family's connection to the Shikinen Sengu, a tradition of rebuilding the shrine every 20 years [1]. The process ensures the preservation of ancient architectural techniques, and spiritual continuity for the Japanese state.

Princess Aiko arrived at the Kintetsu Ujiyamada Station shortly after 3 p.m. [1, 2]. This trip marks her first visit to the prefecture since 2024 [5]. During her first day in the city, she visited a woodworking site where materials for the new shrine are processed [1, 3].

While observing the craftsmanship, Princess Aiko noted the scale of the effort. "It is a steady and enormous amount of work," she said [1].

A spokesperson for the Imperial Household Agency said the princess would inspect the wood processing before preparing for her visit to the shrine the following day [2]. The itinerary spans two days, from Aug. 1 to Aug. 2 [4].

On Sunday, the princess is scheduled to visit the Ise Shrine and observe the "Okihiki" ceremony [1, 4]. The Ise Shrine administration's secretary general said the Okihiki event is a critical ritual in the construction of the shrine [3]. This ceremony involves the traditional pulling of sacred logs to the site of the new sanctuary.

The inspection of the woodworking sites allows the princess to engage with the artisans responsible for the structural integrity of the shrine. This engagement is part of her official duties as a member of the imperial family [1, 3].

“"It is a steady and enormous amount of work,"”

Princess Aiko's participation in the Shikinen Sengu rituals reinforces the symbolic link between the modern imperial family and Japan's ancient spiritual traditions. By focusing on the labor-intensive woodworking and the Okihiki ceremony, the visit highlights the importance of intangible cultural heritage and the continuity of craftsmanship in the face of modernization.