Itsukushima Shrine
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The torii of Itsukushima Shrine, the site's most recognizable landmark, appears to float in the water. | |||||
| Location | Itsukushima, Japan | ||||
| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, iv, vi | ||||
| Reference | 776 | ||||
| Inscription | 1996 (20th Session) | ||||
| Area | 431.2 ha | ||||
| Buffer zone | 2,634.3 ha | ||||
| Website | www | ||||
| Coordinates | 34°17′45″N 132°19′11″E / 34.29583°N 132.31972°E | ||||
| Japanese name | |||||
| Hiragana | いつくしまじんじゃ | ||||
| Kyūjitai | 嚴島神社 | ||||
| Shinjitai | 厳島神社 | ||||
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Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.
The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view. The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.