Itsukushima Jinja O-torii (Grand Torii Gate)

Miyajima Island - what a fantastic place. We went there with our private tour guide which we took for a whole day in Hiroshima. You can get from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island by train ( JR ) and a ferry from the Harbor or if you are in a hurry you can get also a taxi to the Harbor , a little bit more pricey but more convenient. The trip with the ferry is quite a short one , maybe 10 - 12 min. By the way we paid also for the ferry with our Suica Card. So it was very convenient. Once we arrived to the Island a lot of deers welcomed us. Very nice creatures and they are considered sacred and are protected and they’re believed to be messengers of the Shinto Gods. We saw the main sites on the Island and it took us almost a half a day. Itsukushima Shrine is a wonderful one and also Daisho-in worth definitely a visit. We went just under the iconic giant Torii to take some lovely pictures. By the way the giant Toriiin the sea on Miyajima Island is called Otorii of Itsukushima , and this is the famous floating Torii which is in the water when high tides are in. We visited in the morning and it was a low tide , so we could walk underneath ant to take pictures with it also from the other side. We highly recommend to go early in the morning , low tide and less crowded. The Torii’s legs are not buried in the sand and he’s standing there by his own huge weight. Bottom line Miyajima Island is a very nice place to visit , beautiful landscape , many small shops on the narrow streets , great street food & restaurants. A highly recommended place for a half day trip from Hiroshima. Just bring comfortable walking shoes and hit the road.

Visiting Itsukushima Jinja Temple in Hiroshima was an unforgettable experience! As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple is absolutely stunning — especially the iconic “floating” torii gate over the water. The atmosphere is peaceful yet full of life. I loved meeting and gently petting the friendly deer that roam the island — such a unique experience! I also tried the pull-bicycle (rickshaw) service, and the driver was incredibly nice, helpful, and knowledgeable. He explained the history of the temple and made the whole visit even more special. A must-see spot in Japan for its beauty, culture, and amazing hospitality!

🏯 Itsukushima Shrine Great Torii (Miyajima, Hiroshima) Review When I visited Itsukushima Shrine, the tide was low, and the water around the famous red Torii gate had receded. Even though it wasn’t surrounded by the sea at that moment, seeing this World Heritage Site up close was still a deeply moving experience. Standing before such a historically and spiritually significant place filled me with admiration and peace. Many visitors from around the world were there, all captivated by the shrine’s atmosphere and beauty. I also took a boat tour around the area, which offered a lovely view of the island and the Torii gate from the water. The nearby resort area was a wonderful place to relax — the air was fresh, the environment was clean, and the food was organic and delicious. The staff were very kind and welcoming, making the stay even more enjoyable. Overall, visiting the Itsukushima Shrine and its Great Torii was an unforgettable experience. Even during low tide, the site’s spiritual energy and natural beauty left a lasting impression. It’s a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Hiroshima who wishes to connect with Japan’s culture, history, and nature in a peaceful setting.

Itsukushima Shrine is one of the most famous Shinto shrines of Japan, famous for its floating torii gate. The torii gate was built on water as the island is considered sacred. Apparently the place is from twelfth century but the current structure dates back to nineteenth century. The shrine is peaceful and beautiful and looks out over the sea. There are many deers on the street, but feeding them is not allowed.

Really beautiful, impressive and huge. The red colour stands in an amazing contrast to the greenery of the mountain and the blue of the sea and the sky. If you go with a guide, she/he will also explain you the meaning of the statues at the entrance and inside the shrine (one has the mouth open and the other one the mouth closed, based on Sanskrit sound of the first and last letter, and meaning the beginning and the end), how to go through the tori gate (bow before passing through and leave the centre free for the deities to pass), how to pray and make a wish, etc, so it’s worth to hire a guide. Also, beautiful place for memorable photos ❤️