Miyajima Island is most famous for Itsukushima Shrine, a Shinto shrine built on piers and its “floating” torii gate. The present shrine dates from the mid-16th century, but shrine buildings have been on this site since the 6th century. Because the island was considered sacred, commoners weren’t allowed to set foot on it. Thus, the shrine was built on piers extending over the water so pilgrims would be separate from the land. Commoners had to steer their boats through the torii gate when approaching the shrine. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gate itself dates from 1875 and is made of decay-resistant camphor wood. It is only a few hundred yards offshore; at low tide, people can walk out to it and pick up shellfish. The most picturesque, time, however, is to be there at high tide and see the gate when it is partially submerged. Miyajima Island is about an hour’s travel from Hiroshima. It has a large deer population that, although wild, are not at all afraid of humans.
Me with the famous “floating” torii gate.
Deer wander the island and aren’t afraid of humans. This one holds perfectly still and poses with Rachelle.
The pagoda
An enterprising soul allows customers to dress up in 16th century samurai armor and have their pictures taken (no, we didn’t do this).
Close-up photo of the torii gate.
Itsukushima Shrine was built on piers.
A wider view of Itsukushima Shrine
Visitors wave these sticks with paper streamers to banish evil spirits and bad luck.
Foo dog at the shrine
The shrine has a Noh theatre
Sake barrels
This deer has an odd-shaped antler. It didn’t appear to be damaged, just as if it decided to grow in an unusual direction.
Panoramic view
This deer is enjoying what Japan calls one of its three most important views.
Kayakers paddle out to the torii gate.
View of the shrine with the pagoda in the background.
A little boy reaches for a dipper to purify his hands.
Stone lanterns line the shores.
This deer even looks into one of the shops!
Rickshaw drivers still exist!
Fawn
A mist rises on the mountain over the pagoda as our ferry pulls away from the island.
July 19, 2014