Itsukushima Shrine is an important shrine of Itsukushima island, or most popularly known as Miyajima. It is considered an important and a sacred place of the island to this date, where people come and worship the deities that had been enshrined there. The unique construction that makes it looks as if it floats during the high tide, has earned this place to be one of the best scenic views of Japan.
Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社) has a long history, dated far back since the 6th century. Based on ancient records, in the year 593, Saeki no Kuramoto, the one who governed the island, he received an oracle and has erected the shrine. In 1423, Taira no Koyomori had reconstructed the shrine complex and tori gate to be built over the sea water to make it look like it floats and people can walk on the water.
The shrine is believed to have enshrined the deities that ensure the well-being of the imperial family, guard the nation and protect seafarers of the Seto Inland Sea since the time of Saeki no Kuramoto. From the record, it is also believed that the locations of where the shrine is to be built on was led by and choose specifically by the deities that follow Saeki no Kuramoto when he sails around the island to look for a place to build the shrine.
The Itsukushima Shrine has now been enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage in 1996, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possession within Itsukushima Shrine as a national treasure of Japan. It is one of the three scenic views of Japan.
Itsukushima Shrine Visiting Hours
The shrine is still considered sacred to this date and visiting hour is also limited during days only. Generally, the shrine is opened for visit from 6:30 AM to 6 PM, which is from March 1 to October 14. Other than that, the shrine will be closed at 5:30 PM, and on the whole of December, it closes at 5 PM. With the exception the first 3 days of January, where the January 1, it will be opened from 12 AM to 6:30 PM, and on January 2 and 3, it will be opened from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
How To Get To Itsukushima Shrine
The Itsukushima Shrine is located on the Miyajima Island, and the only way to access to access the island is by taking a ferry from the Miyajima-guchi Ferry Terminal.
If you perhaps are coming by shinkansen, you will need to stop at Hiroshima Station. From there, take the JR San’yo Line and head to Miyajima-guchi Station. The train will cost you about 410 yen (around RM16) for about 22 minutes of travel time. Once you arrived at Miyajima-guchi Station, head east for about 4 minutes, and you will reach the Miyajima-guchi Ferry Terminal. Ride on the ferry for 180 yen (around RM7) and it will only take about 10 minutes to reach the island.
Once you have reached the island, most of the means of transport is by feet. But worry not, the distance is not that far. Walk south along the sea side for about 16 minutes, and you will reach the Itsukushima Shrine. With the breeze of the sea, and the beautiful and calming view of the sea and the sound of the wave, you won’t have the time to be tired walking.
- Spot name: Itsukushima Shrine
- Street address: 1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima-ken 739-0588, Japan
- Business Hour:
- 12 AM to 6:30 PM (Jan 1)
- 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM (Jan 2-3)
- 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Jan 4 – Feb, Oct 15 – Nov)
- 6:30 AM to 6 PM (Mar-Oct 14)
- 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Dec)
- Admission Fee: (Adult) 300 yen (around RM12)
- Access:
- 1 hour 10 minute from Hiroshima Station to Itsukushima Shrine
- A 16-minute walk south of Miyajima Ferry Terminal to Itsukushima Shrine
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