昨日　愛子さま 初めてお一人で伊勢神宮参拝 (令和６年３月２６日) Princess Aiko’s First Solo Visit to Ise Grand Shrine

昨日　愛子さま 初めてお一人で伊勢神宮参拝 (令和６年３月２６日) Princess Aiko’s First Solo Visit to Ise Grand Shrine

Princess Aiko has just arrived at Toba Station at the start of a 2-day visit to Mie Prefecture. This is the first solo tour that the Princess has ever embarked on. The Princess has just completed her university studies, and is shortly to begin working for the Japanese Red Cross Society,

Princess Aiko will first visit the Outer Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine. While the official name of this shrine is “Toyouke Daijingū”, it is more commonly called ‘Gekū’, i.e. the outer shrine. The shrine is dedicated to Toyouke-hime, the Shinto goddess of agriculture, industry, food, clothing and houses.

Princess Aiko has come here today to pray and offer a “Tamagushi” to Shinto deities . The Tamagushi is made from a sakaki-tree branch, decorated with strips of paper, silk or cotton , known as “shide”. Princess Aiko is walking in a procession to the Main Sanctuary of the Outer Shrine (Gekū).

Princess Aiko’s formal Imperial title is Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō, although she is commonly known as “Aiko-sama”. You will hear many spectators in the crowd using that name as they call out to her. Princess Aiko is the daughter and only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan.

Princess Aiko was born on December 1, 2001 in the hospital at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The princess has just graduated from Gakushuin University with a degree in Japanese language and literature. With the ceremony now over, members of the general public begin leaving the Outer Shrine.

Princess Aiko is now leaving the Outer Shrine in this black limousine. She is being driven to the Inner Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine. This is the entrance to the Inner Shrine of Ise Grand Shrine.

The Inner Shrine’s formal name is Kotaijingū, although it is more commonly known as Naikū (i.e. the Inner Shrine). Inside the shrine, Princess Aiko has been offering prayers and a “tamagushi” to the Shinto deity, Amaterasu Ōmikami.

In the Shinto religion, Amaterasu Ōmikami is the goddess of the sun. The Inner Shrine is dedicated to this deity. It is now time for Princess Aiko to leave the shrine after a long day, in which she has travelled from Tokyo to Ise via Nagoya and Toba.

Princess Aiko is returning to Toba, where she will spend the night. Tomorrow morning, she will travel to the town of Meiwa.

土砂降りの鳥羽駅にご到着の愛子さまを多くの人がお迎えしました。雨があがった伊勢神宮（外宮・内宮）で参拝され、愛子さまを一目見ようと集まった人々に笑顔で応えられていました。

Princess Aiko is the daughter and only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. This video shows scenes from Princess Aiko’s first ever solo visit to Ise Grand Shrine, and her arrival at Toba Kintetsu railway station.

＃愛子さま #伊勢神宮 #japan