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The great torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine

472 · The Wider World

Miyajima

A shrine composed in relation to the sea and wooded island makes changing tide and viewpoint part of the experience.

Photographredlegsfan21 · CC BY-SA 2.0

Summary

Miyajima is a wooded island in Japan, best known for Itsukushima Shrine and its offshore torii gate. The shrine’s buildings were composed in relation to the sea, so tides alter their appearance and setting.

The changing water is part of the design. Architecture, shoreline and wooded slopes create a sacred landscape whose celebrated gate makes sense as one element within a larger composition.

401–500 · The Wider World

The essentials

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Allow time

2 days as an initial allowance, excluding approach travel

Choose a base

Miyajima or Hiroshima

Getting there

Travel from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi and take the ferry to Miyajima, then walk to Itsukushima Shrine.

Plan ahead

Check shrine admission, tide times and any ropeway booking arrangements. Reserve island accommodation early for an overnight stay.

Practical notes updated 30 September 2026. Visitor information and sources

Japan · Culture
Country guidesJapan
Open my 100Record a visit

The essential experience.

A detail that changes the visit

Tides change the setting; confirm shrine access and transport for the intended return.

Miyajima’s torii gate reflected in the water
Miyajima Torii - Flickr - Matt WattsPhoto: Matt Watts · CC BY-SA 2.0

For the curious reader

History, landscape and context.

Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures. The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii, on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view.

Abridged background from Itsukushima Shrine, by Wikipedia contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Paragraphs have been selected and shortened; this adapted background remains under the same licence. Retrieved 23 September 2026. Source revision.

Torii and Itsukushima Shrine in background, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
Torii and Itsukushima Shrine in background, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, JapanPhoto: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0
A sika deer on Miyajima
Sika deer on Miyajima island, JapanPhoto: Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0

From inspiration to a practical plan

Plan your visit.

Physical demands
The shrine approach is mainly level; Mount Misen adds steep trails and stairs, even when using the ropeway.
The consequential detail
Tides change the setting; confirm shrine access and transport for the intended return.
Add to my travel workbenchResearch access requirements

Through the seasons

A place in the world.

Japan.

A place in the world
Miyajima location mapMiyajima location map

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Map: Natural Earth
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In pictures.

Watch the tide change the setting around Miyajima’s shrine and its offshore gate.

The great torii gate at Itsukushima ShrinePhoto: redlegsfan21, CC BY-SA 2.0
Torii and Itsukushima Shrine in background, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture, JapanPhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0
Miyajima’s torii gate reflected in the waterPhoto: Matt Watts, CC BY-SA 2.0
A sika deer on MiyajimaPhoto: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0
The torii gate beside Itsukushima ShrinePhoto: Michael Day, CC BY 2.0
Itsukushima Shrine’s torii gate in shallow waterPhoto: Balon Greyjoy, CC0
Miyajima, Otorii vom Schrein aus gesehenPhoto: Bgabel, CC BY-SA 3.0
The torii gate with Miyajima’s buildings beyondPhoto: Balon Greyjoy, CC0
Open the complete galleryDiscover the world in photographs

Follow the connection

Keep exploring.

Explore more places in the same country.

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The Danjō Garan complex on Mount Kōya

479 · Japan

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A mountain religious settlement offers a concentrated encounter with temple architecture, wooded paths and continuing Buddhist practice.

The Great Buddha Hall at Tōdai-ji in Nara

181 · Japan

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Sacred architecture within a landscape of woods, parkland and living tradition.

Useful links and further reading.

Choose a source for the job: official visitor information for access, the UNESCO record for the named property’s designation, and background or library resources for deeper reading.

Visit · www.itsukushimajinja.jp

Miyajima: official website

The official website associated with this place. Look for visitor information, contact details and local announcements; availability varies by provider.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Understand · UNESCO World Heritage Centre

UNESCO World Heritage property record

Read the named property’s significance, maps, components and conservation documents. The World Heritage boundary may cover only part of this guide’s wider destination.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Read · Wikipedia

Miyajima: background reading

Encyclopaedic context and its bibliography. Follow the cited research for a deeper examination of particular claims.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Visit · Wikivoyage

Find travel information for Miyajima

A clearly labelled search of the community travel guide; check the page’s coverage and the age of practical details.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Books · WorldCat

Find books about Miyajima

Search library holdings and editions, useful for finding specialist histories, field guides and works beyond a general travel guide.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Photography · Wikimedia Commons

Find photographs of Miyajima

Explore further photographs and their individual credits.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.

Maps · OpenStreetMap

Explore the local map

Inspect the surrounding area.

External resource. Check the provider for access and current arrangements.
Visitor information behind these practical notes