Itsukushima Shrine and the Floating Torii of Miyajima
Everything you need to see Miyajima's famous floating torii: high and low tides, the ferry and visitor tax, the friendly deer, and how to plan a day trip from Hiroshima.
Quick answer
- What it is: a UNESCO World Heritage shrine on Miyajima island, famous for its Great Torii standing in the sea.
- The trick: at high tide the gate seems to float; at low tide you can walk right up to it.
- Getting there: train to Miyajimaguchi, then a 10 minute ferry. The JR ferry is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
- Visitor tax: 100 yen per visit, added to your ferry ticket, since October 2023.
- Time needed: a full day trip from Hiroshima, or stay overnight for the quiet evening.
A huge vermilion gate rises out of the sea, its reflection rippling on the water, with green forested mountains behind it. The Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine is one of the most recognisable sights in all of Japan, and it has drawn pilgrims and poets to the island of Miyajima for centuries.
Why Itsukushima is a wonder
Miyajima, officially Itsukushima, has been considered sacred for so long that ordinary people were once not allowed to set foot on it. To keep the island pure, the shrine was built over the water on stilts, and worshippers arrived by boat through the great gate in the sea.
The shrine buildings took their current form in the 12th century under the warlord Taira no Kiyomori. Today the shrine and the forest of Mount Misen behind it are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1996.
The Great Torii, by the numbers
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First gate on this spot | 1168, according to Japan’s Tourism Agency |
| Current gate built | 1875 |
| Height | about 16 metres |
| Weight | about 60 tonnes |
| Main pillars | Camphor trees more than 500 years old |
| Foundations | None: it stands under its own weight |
That last fact is the one that surprises visitors most. The torii is not sunk into the seabed. Its weight, including roughly 7 tonnes of stones packed inside the top beam, holds it steady against the tides and storms.
High tide or low tide?
You really want to see both, which is the best argument for staying the night.
- High tide: the gate and the shrine corridors appear to float on the sea. This is the classic postcard view, and evening high tides with the gate lit up are unforgettable.
- Low tide: the water drains away and you can walk across the sand to stand beneath the torii and see just how massive its pillars are.
Tide tables are published by the Miyajima Tourist Association. Check them when you plan your day.
Getting there
- From Hiroshima, take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi (about 30 minutes) or the slower but scenic Hiroden streetcar line 2.
- Walk to the ferry terminal and take either the JR ferry or the Matsudai ferry. Both take about 10 minutes. The JR ferry is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and passes close to the torii for great views.
- Pay the 100 yen Miyajima Visitor Tax, introduced in October 2023, as part of your ferry ticket. Even Japan Rail Pass holders pay it.
High-speed boats also run between Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park area and Miyajima, which makes a neat one-day loop.
Things to do on Miyajima
- Itsukushima Shrine: walk the vermilion corridors built over the water and see the Noh stage.
- Mount Misen: take the ropeway most of the way up, then hike to the summit for views over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
- Daisho-in temple: a beautiful, atmospheric temple with hundreds of tiny statues, prayer wheels and a cave of lanterns.
- Omotesando shopping street: try momiji manju, maple-leaf shaped cakes, and grilled oysters, a local speciality.
- The deer: wild sika deer wander the town. They are sacred messengers here, as in Nara.
Our tip: do not feed the Miyajima deer. Unlike in Nara, feeding them is not allowed, and they will happily eat paper maps and ferry tickets out of your pocket.
When to visit
- Spring: cherry blossoms across the island in late March and early April.
- Autumn: Momijidani Park, the “maple valley”, turns brilliant red in November.
- Any evening: day-trippers leave on the late afternoon ferries, and the island becomes peaceful.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk to the floating torii at Miyajima?
Yes, at low tide the sea retreats and you can walk across the sand to the foot of the Great Torii. Check the tide table before you go, and plan to see it at high tide too.
Is there a fee to visit Miyajima?
Visitors pay a Miyajima Visitor Tax of 100 yen per visit, collected with the ferry fare. A 500 yen annual pass is available for repeat visitors. Entering Itsukushima Shrine's buildings costs extra.
Does the Great Torii stand on the seabed?
It is not buried in the seabed. The gate, weighing about 60 tonnes, stays upright under its own weight, helped by stones packed into its top beam.
How do I get to Miyajima from Hiroshima?
Take the JR Sanyo Line or the Hiroden streetcar from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi, then a ferry of about 10 minutes. Ferries also run directly from Hiroshima's Peace Park area.
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We check this guide regularly. Prices, hours and rules in Japan can change, so confirm with the official sources below before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
