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A Shrine Registered as a World Heritage Site as of 1996.
Itsukushima Shrine stands on the island of Itsukushima, which is also known as the island of gods. It is said that the shrine was founded in 593 by Saeki no Kuramoto, and the 3 goddess “Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto,” “Tagorihime-no-Mikoto,” and “Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto” are enshrined there. Famous for granting a wide list of benefits, these three goddesses as are worshipped as the goddesses of the sea, transportation, fortune, and art.
Most of the shrine buildings on the grounds have been designated as national treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The grand torii gate, standing in the sea, has undergone a significant renovation known as the "Reiwa Great Renovation," spanning three and a half years and completed in 2022. The gate has been restored to its vibrant vermillion color, exhibiting an even more imposing presence.
There is also an illumination held that starts around sunset and lasts until 11:00pm, creating a fantastical and stunning view different from that of the daytime.
Be sure not to miss the Miyajima Omotesando shopping district that leads up to Itsukushima Shrine; there you’ll find lots of shops, including places where you can enjoy Hiroshima’s specialty dishes like oysters and momiji manju. Stopping by to indulge in some delicious foods after worshipping at the shrine is a great way to spend time.
World Heritage Site: Itsukushima Shrine
Corridor of Itsukushima Shrine
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have pamphlets in other languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)
English pamphlets available.
Q
Do you have shrine’s red ink stamps?
Yes.
Some reviews are AI-translated.
Itsukushima Shrine is truly breathtaking. The giant torii gate out on the water is especially impressive—at high tide, it looks like it’s floating on the sea.
At low tide, you can walk right up to it and see the details. The whole atmosphere feels sacred without being overwhelming, and with the deer and ocean views on Miyajima, it’s actually more relaxing than I expected.
It’s such a shame I can only give this 5 stars.
Itsukushima Shrine looks completely different in each moment—the shrine under the clear daytime sky, the shrine at night when the tide goes out, and the shrine floating on the sea the next morning. It feels majestic, solemn, and dreamlike...
At low tide, you can walk down to the tidal flats and get close. At high tide, you can admire the torii gate floating on the water from afar. Absolutely worth the trip!
I quietly promised myself I’d come back again.
The World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine is famous for its torii gate that looks like it’s floating on the sea.
But it’s not just the gate—most of the shrine is built over the water.
It’s seriously impressive, so you should visit at least once!
Highly recommended!
The shrine feels really dreamy. The big torii gate out in the water is super famous, and it looks great from both far away and up close.
At high tide it looks like it’s floating on the sea, and at low tide you can walk closer to take photos—totally different vibes depending on the time.
The island itself feels relaxed, and it’s really nice to stroll around. There are quite a few tourists though, so it can get crowded during peak times.
Overall, it’s absolutely worth visiting.
The natural scenery here blends perfectly with the cultural heritage, making it a sacred spot for both visitors and worshippers.
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