To call Hinjitsukan, located near the Ise shrine in Mie prefecture, a guesthouse would be an understatement. Built in 1887, it was constructed as a place for honored guests, royalty and the rich, to stay in on their way to visit the Ise shrines. Beloved by the Japanese Imperial Family, who were the sole entities allowed to enter through the front entrance, its doors closed entering into the 21st Century. Now, Hinjitsukan operates as a museum, showing off its intricate antiquated designs, alongside the works of some local artisans. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Ise Jingu Shrine, it is recommended that you visit Hinjitsukan to see how the nobility and Imperial Family would've stayed while worshiping at the shrines.

Photograph provided by Hinjitsukan