Hiroshima World Heritage - Itsukushima Shrine

The World Heritage Site "Itsukushima Shrine" is one of the must-see attractions in Hiroshima! Hiroshima Miyajima Attractions｜The Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine. Miyajima is also known as Itsukushima. Miyajima, Matsushima and Amanohashidate are listed as one of the three major scenic spots in Japan. There are quite a lot of Japanese and foreign tourists. The most famous attractions on Miyajima Island are Itsukushima Shrine and the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine. This article will introduce the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine. Torii are usually built in front of the shrine, representing the boundary between humans and gods. The Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine will be submerged by sea water during high tide. During low tide, you can go down to visit and take pictures. During high tide, you can also take a sightseeing boat related to the Torii, and you can cross the Torii at close range, which is unique. Miyajima, known as one of the three most scenic views in Japan, is located in the Seto Inland Sea southwest of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Since ancient times, the island itself has been an object of natural worship in Japanese culture and is regarded as an "island where gods live." Therefore, Miyajima also has such an image of being worshipped by the locals. In terms of topography, the island's highest peak, Mt. Misen, is 535 meters above sea level and is famous for its various strange rocks and stones. In fact, when Itsukushima Shrine was registered as a World Heritage Site, the scope included the entire Itsukushima Shrine building, the sea in front of Itsukushima Shrine, and the original forest on Mt. Misen behind it! Itsukushima Shrine is built on the seashore. When the tide goes out, the intertidal sand at the foundation of the shrine will be exposed. When the tide comes out, the entire Itsukushima Shrine will appear to float on the sea. In addition to the main building of the shrine, the huge vermilion torii gate on the sea that can be seen when taking a boat to Miyajima is a very impressive view. It is generally believed that Itsukushima Shrine was first established in 593 AD during the Asuka period in Japan, and has a long history of more than 1,400 years. Due to the natural beliefs at the time, people believed that acts of destroying the island, such as cutting down trees or developing the land, were equivalent to harming the gods, so in the end Itsukushima Shrine was built on the sea. The main deities enshrined at Itsukushima Shrine today are the "Munakata Three Goddesses", which include "Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto", but in fact, the gods enshrined at Itsukushima Shrine have changed over time. For example, when Itsukushima Shrine was rebuilt during the Heian period, the main deity enshrined was Itsukushima Daimyojin. When people come to Itsukushima Shrine, they generally pray for "safe sailing" and "good fortune". During high tide, Itsukushima Shrine also stands above the sea, making it one of the few offshore shrines in Japan that coexists with the sea! The size of the sea torii is quite large, more spectacular than those commonly seen in front of shrines in Japan! #JapanTravel #Hiroshima #Itsukushima Shrine