Itsukushima Shrine
Shinto shrine on Miyajima with a floating torii gate.
Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima, commonly called Miyajima, in the city of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. It is accessible from the mainland by ferry from Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and several of its buildings and possessions are designated National Treasures by the Japanese government. It is one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, famed for its dramatic gate that appears to float on the water, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean views. The complex consists of two main buildings—the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja—along with seventeen other structures. The shrine is dedicated to the three daughters of Susano-o no Mikoto, known as the goddesses of seas and storms. The island itself is considered a god, which is why the shrine was built on its outskirts, designed like a pier over the water to appear separate from the land. This illusion of floating allowed pilgrims to approach by boat. The first structure on the site is said to have been erected in 569, and a gate has been in place since 1168, though the current gate dates to 1875. The present shrine is attributed to Taira no Kiyomori, a prominent noble who contributed heavily to its construction in 1168 while governor of Aki Province. Another patron, Mōri Motonari, rebuilt the gate in 1571. The only surviving Kamakura-period structure is the Guest-God’s Shrine. Kiyomori lavished wealth on the shrine, believing its goddesses to be manifestations of Kannon, and he used it to display his power and support maritime trade. The shrine’s treasures include the Heike Nōkyō, sutras copied and decorated by Kiyomori and his clan. Because the island is sacred, no births or deaths have been permitted near the shrine since 1878, and burials are forbidden.
- founded
- First torii said to have been erected in 593; current torii dates to 1875
Lore & Background
The shrine complex is built over the water on pier-like structures, creating the illusion of floating on the sea at high tide, a design that allowed pilgrims to approach without setting foot on the sacred island. The most famous feature is the large red entrance gate, or torii, which stands in the bay. The complex includes two main buildings, the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, along with seventeen other structures. The only surviving building from the Kamakura period is the Guest-God’s Shrine. The shrine is located on Itsukushima (Miyajima) in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, accessible by ferry from Miyajimaguchi Station. The island itself is considered a god, and the shrine was built on the outskirts to preserve its purity. For much of history, commoners were forbidden from landing on the island, and to this day, births and deaths are not permitted near the shrine; pregnant women and the terminally ill retreat to the mainland. The sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and ocean views surround the complex. The shrine is dedicated to the three daughters of Susano-o no Mikoto, goddesses of seas and storms. Its treasures include the Heike Nōkyō, thirty-two sutra scrolls copied and decorated by Taira no Kiyomori and his family.
Reader's Guide
The shrine is dedicated to the three daughters of Susano-o no Mikoto—Ichikishimahime no mikoto, Tagorihime no mikoto, and Tagitsuhime no mikoto—goddesses of seas and storms. Kiyomori believed these deities to be manifestations of Kannon, and the island itself is considered a god, which is why the shrine was built on the outskirts. The shrine was designed in the Shinden-zukuri style with pier-like structures over the water, creating the illusion of floating. The vermilion torii, built of camphor wood, appears to float only at high tide and is illuminated at night. The shrine's treasures include the Heike Nōkyō, sutras decorated with silver, gold, and mother-of-pearl by Kiyomori and his clan. The annual Kangen-sai ritual, initiated by Kiyomori in the 12th century, features a boat procession with a portable shrine and court music.
Did You Know?
- The annual Kangen-sai ritual, initiated by Kiyomori in the 12th century, features a boat procession with a portable shrine and court music.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Itsukushima Shrine and where is it located?
It is a Shinto shrine complex on the island of Itsukushima (popularly called Miyajima) in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The site encompasses the main Honsha shrine, the Sessha Marodo-jinja, and seventeen additional buildings and structures spread across the island.
What is the famous 'floating' torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine?
The iconic vermilion torii gate, carved from camphor wood and standing roughly 15 meters tall, appears to hover above the water at high tide, making it the shrine's most photographed feature. The present gate was built in 1875, but the tradition of a torii marking this sacred waterside spot stretches back to 569.
Which historical figures were major patrons of Itsukushima Shrine?
Two patrons stand out in the shrine's history: Taira no Kiyomori in the 12th century and Mōri Motonari in the 16th century. Their generous support helped expand and elevate the complex into the major religious center it remains today.
What heritage designations does Itsukushima Shrine hold?
The shrine is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and multiple buildings and objects within the complex are officially designated as National Treasures by the Japanese government. Together these recognitions underscore its exceptional cultural and spiritual value.
Why is Itsukushima Shrine considered one of Japan's most significant monuments?
Its layout—shrine buildings set across a forested island and linked by a causeway, with the torii gate rising from the sea—creates a unique interplay of architecture, water, and nature. This striking setting has drawn pilgrims, artists, and visitors for centuries and cemented the site as a defining image of Japanese sacred landscape.
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