# Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima > Itsukushima is a shrine on Miyajima island and a UNESCO site. Its vermilion torii gate stands in the sea, and its halls on piers seem to float at high tide. Entry is ¥300. Until the end of November it opens 6:30–17:30, and until 17:00 in December. From Hiroshima it's 30 minutes by JR and a 10-minute ferry. Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima/itsukushima-shrine - City: [Hiroshima](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima), Japan - YesGo score: 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 1 h 30 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: ¥300; high school ¥200; schoolchildren ¥100 - With the Treasure Hall: ¥500 - Hours to 30 November: 6:30–17:30 - December hours: 6:30–17:00 - Payment: Cash only - Getting there: JR to Miyajimaguchi, 30 minutes, then a 10-minute ferry - Coordinates: 34.29577, 132.32011 - Facts checked: 09.11.2026 ## Key facts - **593** — the year the shrine was founded, by ancient records (source: itsukushimajinja.jp) - **1168** — Taira no Kiyomori built the present complex (source: itsukushimajinja.jp) - **1996** — the year it was listed by UNESCO (source: itsukushimajinja.jp) - **1875** — the year the present Great Torii was built (source: en.wikipedia) - **Top 3 views** — Miyajima is one of Japan's three most scenic views (source: itsukushimajinja.jp) - **3 goddesses** — worshipped at the shrine — protectors of seafarers (source: itsukushimajinja.jp) - **¥300** — adult entry (source: itsukushimajinja.jp) - **10 minutes** — by ferry from Miyajimaguchi (source: itsukushimajinja.jp) ## What is Itsukushima Shrine? **Itsukushima** is a Shinto shrine on **Miyajima** island off Hiroshima. According to the official site, it was founded in **593** where the tide ebbs and flows, and in **1168** the powerful **Taira no Kiyomori** built the present complex in the style of noble palaces. It enshrines three goddesses who protect seafarers. Its halls and corridors stand **on piers over the water**, and in the sea in front stands the vermilion **Great Torii** gate. At high tide both gate and shrine seem to float on the sea. Miyajima has long been counted among **Japan's three most scenic views**, and the shrine was listed by UNESCO in **1996**. > **High tide or low tide** The view depends on the sea: at high tide the gate stands in water and the shrine 'floats', while at low tide you can walk out to the gate across the sand. Check the tide table on the island's website and, if you have time, see both. The corridor floors have gaps between the boards to relieve the pressure of the water, so don't wear heels. ## Tickets and hours According to the official site, entry is **¥300** for adults, ¥200 for high-schoolers and ¥100 for schoolchildren. A combined ticket with the Treasure Hall costs ¥500 and is sold only at the shrine entrance. Cards aren't accepted — bring cash. Hours depend on the season: from 1 March to 14 October **6:30–18:00**, from 15 October to 30 November **6:30–17:30**, in December **6:30–17:00**, and from 4 January to the end of February 6:30–17:30. The Treasure Hall opens 8:00 to 17:00. On the hill nearby stands the large Senjokaku hall, entry ¥100. ## What to see - **The Great Torii** in the sea. - **The corridors on piers** over the water. - **The main hall** of the shrine. - **The Noh stage** above the sea. - **The arched Soribashi bridge**. - **Senjokaku and the pagoda** on the hill nearby. ## How to get to Itsukushima 1. **JR** — from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi on the Sanyo line, about 30 minutes. 2. **Ferry** — from Miyajimaguchi to the island, about 10 minutes; JR and Matsudai ferries run. 3. **Hiroden tram** — from central Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi, about an hour. 4. **From the island pier** — about 10 minutes on foot along the shore. 5. **Direct boat** — from central Hiroshima, about 45 minutes. ## Itsukushima or Fushimi Inari | | Itsukushima | Fushimi Inari | | --- | --- | --- | | Highlight | A gate in the sea | Thousands of gates up a mountain | | Entry | ¥300 | Free | | Getting there | Train and ferry | A train from Kyoto | | Time | A day with the island | 2–3 hours | ## How long do you need? An **hour** is enough for the shrine itself, but allow **a whole day** for the island: stroll the Omotesando shopping street, take the ropeway up **Mount Misen** and visit **Daisho-in** temple. Deer roam freely on the island — as in Nara, but here you mustn't feed them. Try the local food: grilled **oysters** — Hiroshima is famous for them — anago-meshi, rice with sea eel, and **momiji manju**, cakes shaped like maple leaves. Since October 2023 visitors to the island pay a small visitor tax — according to guides, it's added to the ferry ticket. ## Is Itsukushima worth visiting? Yes: the gate in the sea is one of Japan's most recognisable views, and the island with Mount Misen is the best trip from Hiroshima. The YesGo take: at weekends and in the middle of the day the island is very crowded, and the finest views are in the morning and at sunset. If you can, stay the night on Miyajima: in the evening, once the last ferries leave, the island empties and the gate is lit up. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Tide table - [ ] ¥300 in cash - [ ] Comfortable shoes — no heels - [ ] Set off in the morning - [ ] Mount Misen on the route ## Temples and shrines: compare and choose Temples and shrines rated by YesGo. - [Itsukushima Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima/itsukushima-shrine) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ¥300 - [Daisho-in Temple](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima/daisho-in) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free - [Mount Misen](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima/mount-misen) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · trails free; ropeway ≈ ¥2,000 return ## Miyajima in a day Itsukushima Shrine and the gate in the sea in the morning, Daisho-in temple at midday, and the ropeway up Mount Misen in the afternoon. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Itsukushima Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima/itsukushima-shrine) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ¥300 2. [Daisho-in Temple](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima/daisho-in) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free 3. [Mount Misen](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima/mount-misen) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · trails free; ropeway ≈ ¥2,000 return ## Good to know Itsukushima is the shrine and the island's official name, while Miyajima is its everyday name. It's not the Itsukushima-class warships or other torii gates in Japan. ## Tips - Check the tide table. - Bring cash — ¥300. - Don't wear heels. - Don't feed the island's deer. - Next: [Mount Misen](https://yesgo.io/japan/hiroshima/mount-misen). ## Questions ### How much is entry to Itsukushima Shrine? ¥300 for adults; ¥500 with the Treasure Hall. ### What are the opening hours? To 30 November 6:30–17:30, December 6:30–17:00, until 18:00 in spring and summer. ### How do I get there from Hiroshima? JR to Miyajimaguchi, about 30 minutes, then a 10-minute ferry. ### When does the gate 'float'? At high tide; at low tide you can walk out to it. ### Can I pay by card? No, cash only. ### How long do you need? An hour for the shrine, a day for the island. ### When was the shrine built? Founded in 593; the present complex dates from 1168. ### What else is on the island? Mount Misen, Daisho-in temple and the Omotesando shopping street. ## How we checked History, hours, prices, payment and access are from the shrine's official site. The gate's construction year is from Wikipedia. The island visitor tax, tides and local food are from guides. Time for the island is the YesGo estimate. ## Sources - Shrine official site (itsukushimajinja.jp/en) — history, seasonal hours, prices, payment, access (checked 09.11.2026) - English Wikipedia: Itsukushima Shrine — the 1875 Great Torii, restoration - Travel guides — tides, visitor tax, local food (unofficial) - Wikidata Q191763 — coordinates --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.