Bucket List: Visiting the Itsukushima Shrine and the Floating Torii Gate

Japan, Hiroshima Prefecture, Hatsukaichi, Itsukushima - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Considered one of the 3 best views of Japan, the Floating Torii Gate is part of the Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Itsukushima. The island is also popularly known as Miyajima.

As shown in the photograph below, the so-called Floating Torii Gate don't actually float. It is just that when the tide comes in, the partially submerged structure appears to float on the sea because its base is no longer visible to the eye.

The Floating Torii Gate at low tide, Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

Itsukushima Shrine, Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

The Torii Gate as seen from the Itsukushima Shrine, Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

Besides the world famous and tourist-favourite Itsukushima Shrine and its Torii Gate, the island has lots of other renown attractions including magical Mount Misen, many temples and shrines as well as an extensive network of forest which is perfect for hiking.

The Pagoda of the Komyoin Temple, Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

Jizo statues, Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

But the main purpose of my trip to the island was to visit the giant Floating Torii Gate. I stayed for two nights on the island so that I can enjoy Itsukushima at my own leisure, appreciate its attractions and more importantly, its ambience when all the day trippers had left with the last ferry.

For two days, I wandered around the island, soaking in its natural allures, dined at the local eateries,  visited almost all the temples and shrines and hiked part of a trail to the summit of Mount Misen. However, I gave up on reaching the summit after an hour of climbing in the intense heat and humidity of summer, promising I will return in another year and a different season to complete the climb.

View of the Floating Torii Gate on the trail to the summit of Mount Misen, Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

Of course, I also got to enjoy the views of the great Floating Torii Gate both in the day and at night and also during both high and low tides.

The Floating Torii Gate in the day at low tide, Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

The Floating Torii Gate at dusk during high tide, Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

The Floating Torii Gate at night during high tide (the Torii Gate is lighted up in the night making flash photography unnecessary), Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)

On the third day, as I boarded the ferry for the short hop back to the mainland and the city of Hatsukaichi, I had ticked off a major item off my personal travel bucket list. This was my first trip to Itsukushima, it won't be the last. I will be back. The summit of Mount Misen awaits.

View of the city of Hatsukaichi on the mainland from Itsukushima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2019)