also: ないぐう
noun
Inner Ise Shrine
Refers specifically to the inner shrine of Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮), dedicated to Amaterasu. Often contrasted with 外宮 (げくう), the outer shrine.
伊勢神宮の内宮は、天照大御神を祀っている。
The Inner Ise Shrine enshrines Amaterasu Omikami.
初詣では、まず外宮
For hatsumode, it is considered proper to visit the Outer Shrine first and then the Inner Shrine.
Irregular kana reading; the standard reading is ないくう.
Compound of 内 (nai, 'inner') and 宮 (kū, 'shrine'). The reading ないくう is standard; ないぐう is an irregular variant.