Itsukushima Shrine: Japan's most visited floating shrine and gate in Miyajima

 Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Miyajima in Hiroshima prefecture, well known for its floating shrine gate (torii, 鳥居). This shrine has also been known as one of the three best views in Japan (Nihon-sankei, 日本三景).

Itsukushima Shrine was originally established in 593 and rebuilt by Taira no Kiyomori (平清盛), the power of the time, in 1168. The floating torii, the landmark of Itsukushima Shrine, was also built by Taira no Kiyomori. The reason why the shrine and its gate were built on the water is that people were not allowed to set foot on the sacred island and needed to approach by boat from the opposite shore.  

The best time to visit Miyajima is in mid-morning because you can see the shrine both at high and low tide. At high tide, you can enjoy the literally "floating" torii. At low tide, you can walk to the bottom of the torii.

Itsukushima Shrine is accessible less than 1 hour by train and ferry from Hiroshima city, which is famous for Atomic Bomb Dome. You can also reach Itsukushima Shrine from Iwakuni, well known for Kintai-kyō (錦帯橋), grateful five-arched wooden bridge.