The official name of the Ise Jingu is Jingu, although people call it by its popular name "Oise-san" or "Jingu-san." The Jingu is structured from the Koutai-jingu (or naiku=internal sanctuary), dedicated to the goddess, Amaterasu-oomikami, and the Toyouke-daijingu (or geku=external sanctuary), dedicated to the kami of livelihood (food, clothing, and shelter) or considered broadly as a kami of industry. It is said that this place was chosen by Amaterasu-oomikami and her loyal servant, the princess Yamato-hime, after a long search for the sacred land, 2000 years ago.

Food is consecrated to the kamis in the morning and at night, the statue's clothing is changed in spring and in autumn, and their dwelling is rebuilt every 20 years. This practice has been going on for the past 2000 years and is still being practiced by the priests and servants who live there. Food such as rice, salt, vegetables, and fruit is produced on the compounds. A workshop for making the furniture and ornaments used in the shrines is located in Uji (naiku) and Yamada (geku). Of all the festivals at Ise Jingu, the Shikinen Sengu (reconstruction festival), held every 20 years, is the largest. The shrine as well as all decorations and costumes are newly made. This festival was adopted during the reign of the Emperor Temmu, and 1993 marked its 61st renovation. The festivals held at Ise Jingu have not changed for hundreds of years.