Itsukushima Shrine

Some reviews are AI-translated.

• WANG

  3 Sep 2026 See More

  During my trip to Hiroshima, I finally got to see Itsukushima Shrine in person, a World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most iconic seaside views! As soon as I set foot on Miyajima and saw the enormous vermilion torii gate standing in the blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea from afar, the solemn yet dreamlike sight instantly left me speechless. Seeing it in person was far more breathtaking than seeing it countless times in photos.

  At high tide, the entire magnificent shrine complex seems to float directly on the water. The vermilion corridors and main hall complement the green mountains behind them, creating a picturesque scene full of traditional Japanese charm. Best of all, you can plan around the tides. In the afternoon at low tide, I walked right beneath the great torii gate to look up close at the weathered details and massive scale of this centuries-old wooden structure. It was truly spectacular.

  Besides the stunning shrine buildings over the water, adorable wild deer can be seen leisurely strolling all over the island. Together with the lively and fun Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street, where you can also try delicious freshly grilled conger eel rice and momiji manju, the whole trip was both full and relaxing. I highly recommend adding Itsukushima Shrine to your must-visit list when traveling to Hiroshima. It's absolutely a world-class view that everyone should experience in person at least once in their lifetime!

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• BobbyJenny

  18 Jul 2026 See More

  Itsukushima Shrine is famous for its great torii gate standing in the sea. At high tide, it looks as if it’s floating on the water, creating a dreamy and captivating view.

  The shrine has a historic charm, and the surrounding natural scenery is beautiful. Walking around, you can feel the rich history, culture, and peaceful atmosphere.

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• Gina C

  13 Jul 2026 See More

  The most breathtaking thing about the great torii gate in the sea at Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima is how dramatically the scenery changes with the tides throughout the day.

  At high tide, this massive vermilion structure seems to float on the deep blue sea, set against the greenery of Mt. Misen in the distance, creating an incredible sense of elegance and sacredness. When the water recedes and the tide reaches its lowest point, you can walk right up to it.

  Up close, you can really feel the powerful presence of this all-wooden torii, which has stood for centuries relying on its own weight. The most fascinating detail is on the thick camphorwood main pillars. At low tide, when you get close, you’ll see that the natural cracks in the wood and gaps around the barnacles are packed with Japanese coins pushed in by visitors making wishes! From a distance, they look almost like metallic scales, faintly glittering in the sunlight. The grandeur of the natural tides and the unusual traces left by people’s wishes come together to create the torii’s most unique and thought-provoking sight.

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• 雨妤魚

  2 Jul 2026 See More

  The place that amazed me the most—and that I’ll never forget—on my first solo trip was Miyajima.

  I usually get seasick super easily, so I was honestly a little worried before leaving. Maybe I was just too excited, but surprisingly I didn’t feel seasick at all during the whole ferry ride. The ocean views along the way were already beautiful, and once I actually arrived on Miyajima, I was even more blown away.

  As soon as I got off the ferry, I saw deer everywhere, casually wandering around the island without being afraid of people at all. The whole island made me slow down without even realizing it. I walked along the streets feeling like I had somehow wandered into a hidden paradise. Even though there were plenty of tourists, it didn’t affect my enjoyment one bit.

  I really loved all the little details hidden around Miyajima. The guardian-beast statues at the shrine had such cute expressions—one of them looked adorably goofy, and it made me laugh. The one on the other side looked totally serious, like it was there just to set the tone.

  I happened to visit at low tide, so I got to admire the Great Torii up close. That’s when I noticed the pillars were covered in moss, which made me laugh again—it was such a different side of it.

  Even now, when I think back on it, I’m still impressed with myself. Even though I knew I get seasick easily, I still chose to take this trip. I didn’t mind that the hems of my pants got covered in wet sand, because everything in front of me was absolutely worth it.

  And because of Miyajima, my lucky trip to Japan was given its most unforgettable page.

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• Jenny Chen

  24 May 2026 See More

  So beautiful and so fun! I also happened to catch both high and low tide, so I could walk down there. Super cool~~

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