According to "Toyukegu Gishikicho" (Register of Ceremonies for Toyuke-gu Shrine) written in 804, Geku (the outer shrine of Ise) was built to enshrine Toyuke Omikami (Toyuke Great God) as Miketsukami (the God of Food) invited from Tanba Province, as Emperor Yuryaku had received an oracle from Amaterasu Omikami (the Sun Goddess).
延暦23年（804年）の『止由気宮儀式帳』に、雄略天皇が天照大神の夢託を蒙り、御食津神として等由気太神（豊受大神）を丹波国から伊勢に迎えたのが外宮であると記す。