Attractions > Other Cities and Areas > Shrines Temples > Hiroshima

About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees

Itsukushima Shrine torii gate by Joe deSousa (CC0 1.0)

 

About

Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (better known as Miyajima) in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The shrine is best known for the "Floating" Tori gate. The Tori here is one the top, well known images of Japan throughout the world and one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.　Itsukushima Shrine is extremely popular with Japanese and international tourists alike. From Hiroshima it can be reached quickly by a variety of transportation means (see below) within an hour. The Itsukushima Tori appears to be floating ONLY at high tide. When the tide is low, sandbars make it possible to reach the Tori by foot.

Brief History and Explanation: Some sort of Tori has been in the current Tori's place since 1168 but the current Tori gate dates back to only 1875 (Typhoons, other weather, the sun and the sea salt wear and tear cause the gate to deteriorate). Taira No Kiyomori, the most powerful man in Japan during the end of the Heian Period, chose the island as the site of his clan's family shrine and built Itsukushima Shrine in 1168. Kiyomori had the shrine built to "devote to the worship of goddesses to whom Kiyomori owed thanks and for his success in life."  The "Goddesses" (and God) to whom Kiyomori devoted the shrine to are the three daughters of Susano-o no Mikoto, Shinto god of seas and storms, and brother of the sun goddess Amaterasu (tutelary deity of the Imperial Household).

 

Access

Closest Train Station: Miyajimaguchi

Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588 Japan

The most efficient, fastest and cheapest way to reach Miyajima is by the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (25 minutes, 410 yen one way) from Hiroshima Station (covered by the Japan Rail Pass). From Miyajimaguchi Station, it is a short walk to the ferry pier. Ferries depart frequently for Miyajima. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, take a JR ferry to ride for free.

Google Map

 

Hotels & Lodging

Recommended

View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Itsukushima Shrine.

 

Hours & Fees

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closing time may fluctuate depending on the season)

Closed: No closing days

Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.

Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.

 

Resources

Website: Itsukushima Shrine Homepage