Miyajima; March 31, 2024

It is not only the Atomic-bomb Dome. Miyajima is also a must-see place in Hitroshima.

I visited the island.

The island locates about 20 km west from Hiroshima City. It has a world-famous Itsukushima Shrine and attracts tourists since ancient time.

Japan has about 80 thousand shrines, but Itsukushima Shrine is unique in many points.

Its main gate (O-torii Gate) is placed in the sea.

It is 16 meter high.

The base parts appear when the tide is low.

 

The shrine buildings are built on the shore. They are in the sea water when the tide is high and stand on the sand when the tide is low.

The island was worshipped by people in the ancient time and the shrine was first built in the late 6^th century.

In the 12^th century, Taira no Kiyomori, the ruler of the nation at the time, developed the shrine. Many historical events, including the Itsukushima Battle in 1555 took place in the island.

Many people visit the shrine to pray for happiness and safety in the Edo era (17-19 century).

 

Now, the island has about 1400 residents and attracts more than 4 million tourists every year. It takes about 10 minutes by ferry to go to main island.

We can find various aspects of history, culture, religion, nature, and people’s life in the island.

 

I found many tourists in the island. The shopping street was very crowded.

 

I also found deer hear and there.