Miyajima
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (1996); One Of The Three Views Of Japan · Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima
A small, forested island in Hiroshima Bay, officially Itsukushima, whose shrine and great vermilion torii gate standing in the sea make one of the most famous views in Japan, counted among the country's three classic scenic sights. Itsukushima Shrine, founded in the sixth century and rebuilt in its present form in the twelfth, is built on piers over the tidal flat, so at high tide the shrine and the gate appear to float, and at low tide you can walk out across the sand to the foot of the gate. Check the tide table: the two experiences are very different. The shrine and the surrounding forest are a World Heritage Site. Beyond the waterfront, a ropeway climbs Mount Misen for views over the Inland Sea islands, and Daisho-in temple on the hillside is full of statues and prayer wheels. Tame deer wander the streets. The shopping street sells grilled oysters and momiji manju, maple-leaf cakes. The island is packed with day-trippers from late morning; staying overnight lets you see the gate lit up after they leave. A small visitor tax is charged on arrival.
1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, 739-0588, Japan
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: Itsukushima Shrine opens around 6:30 am and closes in the early evening, around 5 to 6 pm depending on the season, with last entry shortly before. The torii and waterfront are open at all hours and lit from sunset until late evening. Ferries run from about 6 am until after 10 pm. The ropeway runs in the daytime, shorter in winter, and stops in strong wind and during inspection periods. The tide table decides what you see. Confirm all times before travelling.