The idea of making a pilgrimage to visit religious places is present in nearly every culture and religion. In Japan, it is typical of both major religions, Buddhism and Shinto from early times, but it was an idea which grew in popularity in the Edo period (1603-1868). To make a pilgrimage is, usually, to travel; when religious overtones are minimized it is little different from tourism. Pilgrimages became a thin disguise for tourism during the Edo period. To go on a pilgrimage was the one sure way of obtaining a permit to travel. As many as 3.5 million pilgrims are recorded as coming to Ise Shrine in 1705 in just two months.
