ITSUKUSHIMA

MIYAJIMA HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Miyajima Island (official known as Itsukushima Island) floats like a diamond in the Inland Sea of Japan. From the misty beginnings of Japanese history Miyajima has been classified as one of the most scenic islands of Japan.
Out of respect for the Miyajima Gods no one dared to live there. For more than a thousand years, visitors who were mainly fishermen, left the Island at the end of each day.

The first shrine was founded in 593 AD. The land was regarded as so sacred that the famous Itsukushima Shrine was built over the water to avoid offending the Gods. When people eventually inhabited the island they were forbidden to till the ground, give birth, die or be buried on the sacred ground. . Even today there are no hospitals or cemeteries on Miyajima Island.

Suggested Miyajima Walk

This Miyajima map sets out several suggest walks to the main attractions on Miyajima. You can also see Miyajima's attractions in our Hiroshima map.

MIYAJIMA SHRINES AND TEMPLES

Itsukushima Shrine

The Itsukushima Shrine extends out over the water so that at high tide it seems to be floating on the sea. It consists of the Main Shrine and many subsidiary shrines and buildings all connected by wide corridors and galleries. Itsukushima Shrine been designated as a National Treasure.

 

Otorii - Grand Gate

In the water near the Itsukushima Shrine stands the world renowned Torii, Otorii, one of the largest in Japan. The view through the Torii framing Mount Misen in the background is one of the most photographed scenes in Japan


 

Senjokaku Shrine - The Hall of a Thousand Tatami Mats

In 1587AD Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the warlord who unified Japan during this era, ordered the establishment of Senjokaku Shrine as a place where sutra-chanting would be held in honor of war casualties. While it is the biggest building in Miyajima, it has never been finished with its construction halting on Hideyoshi Toyotomi's death. Senjokaku is derived from its planned floor space, which is equal to the area of 857 tatami mats.

Gojunto

Gojunto is a vermilion red Five-Storied Pagoda built in 1407AD shows a splendid structural beauty which skilfully combines the beauty of Japanese and Chinese architectural styles. Gojunto is 27.6 metres high. Gojunto is located next to Senjokaku Shrine.

Diaganji Temple

Located next to Itsukushima Shrine, Daiganji Temple is an ancient Shingon Buddhist temple with strong ties to Shinto shrines. It used to be in full charge of the repair and construction of temples and shrines including Itsukushima Shrine. Daiganji Temple is dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of eloquence, music, and wealth, and enshrines one of the three most famous Benzaiten statues in Japan in addition to many other valuable Buddhist statues.

Daishoin Temple

Daishoin Temple is an ancient Shingon Buddhist temple built at the foot of the sacred Mt. Misen. During the time of fusion period of Shintoism and Buddhism, this distinguished temple governed all priests in Miyajima and was in charge of religious ceremonies of Itsukushima Shrine. Its green, plant-filled precincts command a fine view and are very photogenic with its many decorated Buddhist statues.

Tahoto Pagoda

Built by the priest Shukan in 1523, Tahoto is a pagoda with a height of 15.6 meters. Although constructed mainly in Japanese style, parts of the structure have Indian and Chinese architectural features. It presents the unique combination of a square shape on the lower level and a round shape on the upper level.

Miyajima Island - Hiroshima Transport

Miyajima is an island, so you'll have to take a ferry to get there. The main ferry terminal on the mainland is Miyajimaguchi (宮島口), which you can reach from JR Hiroshima station either by JR train (¥400, 25 minutes, or ¥570 for a combination ticket with the ferry) or by tram line #2 (¥270, 70 minutes from Hiroshima JR Station). The tram line also passes by the Hiroshima Peace Park and may thus be more convenient for visitors also touring Hiroshima.

From Miyajimaguchi, JR and Matsudai ferries to Miyajima run up to 10 times an hour. The trip takes 10 minutes and costs ¥170 each way; Japan Rail Pass holders can use the JR ferry for free. Ferries return to the mainland until midnight, so it is possible stay until after most of the tour groups leave in the evening before returning on a later ferry.

There are also direct ferry connections from Hiroshima Peace Park to Miyajima, running once an hour or so from near the A-Bomb Dome and taking only 23 minutes, but these charge ¥1640 for the privilege.

Next Page Miyajima Festivals and Natural Features

Hiroshima Accommodation

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Photos provided by Hiroshima Prefecture.