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Itsukushima Shrine

Great Vermillion Torii in the Sea

Itsukushima Shrine is located on the north shore of Itsukushima Island in Hiroshima Bay, Japan, and has been considered a sacred place from ancient times that cannot be sullied. As one of the Three Views of Japan, Itsukushima Shrine is built over the sea, with a vermillion red torii sunk into the sea as the symbol and emblem of the shrine.

In Hiroshima Bay, in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan, there is the beautiful Miyajima Island, also known as Itsukushima, which has been considered sacred and undefiled since ancient times. Most of the island is covered by hills and dense forests, and there are a number of ancient shrines and Buddhist temples near the shore with clear water and fine sand, with Itsukushima Shrine, in particular, being famous as one of the Three Views of Japan.

Manywhere Trivia:
The Three Views of Japan 日本三景: the eponymous pine-clad islands of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture; the pine-clad sandbar of Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture; and Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Itsukushima Shrine 厳島神社 began to be worshipped as a family temple by the Taira clan in Japan during the time of Emperor Tui-Ko (late 6th to early 7th century) and was expanded by Taira Kiyomori in 1168 to become Today's Size.

Shrine palace complex and torii in the pocket-shaped bay

To visit Itsukushima Shrine, you must take a boat to the island. The Vermillion Red Great Torii, which sticks out into the middle of the sea from the deck, is the best place to locate Itsukushima Shrine. This 16-meter-high, ocean-view torii is said to be a gateway to the divine realm and is a symbol and icon of Itsukushima Shrine, which is always featured in various tourist materials in Japan. Every day at low tide, as the water recedes, people can Walk to the Foot of the Otorii along the beach to see its majestic appearance up close.

The Great Torii of the Sea

Manywhere Trivia:
It is common to see descriptions of how the Torii at Itsukushima Shrine is embalmed and sturdy and has never collapsed. That is because it was replaced before it had a chance to collapse. The Torii has been replaced eight times in the history of the shrine, most recently in 1875.

A 300-meter long Vermillion Corridor connects the main shrine and the guest shrine. The wooden bridge nearest to the torii on the axis of the middle road is called Hitasaki 火焼先, followed by a more open platform with a flat stage and a high stage, then followed by The Main Shrine 本社, which has several parts: the Purification Hall 祓殿, the Offering Hall 幣殿, the Worship Hall 拝殿, and the Main Hall 本殿.