Itsukushima Shrine was one of the places I was really looking forward to on this trip to Hiroshima. It's also one of the Three Scenic Views of Japan, so of course I had to check it off my list while visiting Hiroshima! On the boat ride to Miyajima, you can see the large vermilion torii gate standing in the sea from far away. As the boat gradually approaches, the torii gate, blue sea, and mountains behind it come together, and it really feels like entering another world. Just seeing it from the boat made me reach for my camera and take photo after photo.
After arriving on the island, Omotesando Shopping Street is just as charming. The lively shops along the way make it hard to pass through empty-handed. Miyajima's famous momiji manju are especially fragrant, and there are also seafood dishes like freshly grilled oysters and oyster rice. Everything makes you want to stop and try it. After finally escaping the temptation of all the food, I made it to the legendary Itsukushima Shrine.
What makes Itsukushima Shrine so special is how its buildings blend with the sea. It is said to have been founded around 593 AD, while the present main buildings were developed and expanded by Taira no Kiyomori during the Heian period, creating the iconic shrine-on-the-sea scenery seen today. The vermilion shrine buildings stand over the water, and the view changes with the tides. At high tide, the shrine buildings and large torii gate appear to float on the sea, and their reflections on the water look especially dreamlike. At low tide, you can walk close to the large torii gate and admire its grandeur from a completely different angle.
If you want to photograph the classic “shrine on the sea” view, I recommend checking the tide schedule for that day before setting out and planning your visit around high tide so you can enjoy Miyajima's most iconic scenery.
