The famous Ise Shinto shrines are rebuilt every 20 years.
The great shrines of Ise are the holiest site in Shintoism. In accordance with an ancient Shinto tradition, the outer and inner shrines are rebuilt every 20 years. The most recent reconstruction was completed in October 2013.
The shrines are special in their minimalist simplicity, a purely Japanese style that shows no influence from the Asian continent. Instead, a gloomy peace prevails that echoes off green trees, plain stones, and gravel. The sanctuaries are about 2 km apart, each situated in a forest at the foot of a mountain.