During the Edo period, one in ten Japanese people made the pilgrimage to Ise. In 1829, an astounding 1.18 million pilgrims visited in just three days during the grand festival.

Pilgrims traditionally visit Futami Okitama Jinja to purify themselves before proceeding to the main Ise Grand Shrine. The seaside location allows ritual cleansing with sacred seawater from Futamiura.