For Japanese, the floating Torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyashima Island is one of the great three sights in Japan. The shrine is becoming the symbol of Japan for many foreign tourists apart from Kinkakuji in Kyoto. Itsukushima Shrine is not the most important Shinto shrine, but it is maybe one of the most beautiful. The complex is built on the mud shore which looks horrible when the tide is low, but when the tide is high the magic happens as the shrine has appeared to float above the sea. The famous Torii gate is just amazing as it is in the middle of the sea making a perfect entrance to the whole island.

The history of the shrine is also interesting; the shrine was built in 6th century for the goddess of the sea who Japanese believe to be a daughter of the sun goddess who created Japan. The shrine became a favorite shrine of Taira clan, one of the most powerful families in ancient Japan. This clan declared Miyashima as a holy island and not allowed people to birth or die on the island in order to keep the purity of the holy land. The shrine was rebuilt many times but always in the old design.

Miyashima is very near to Hiroshima. From Hiroshima you can use train or tram to the small town called Miyashimaguchi and then catch one of many ferries cross the small channel to the island. From ferry terminal, turn right to the shrine or just follow the crowd. My Trip to Itsukushima can be called gourmet tour more than cultural tour! When my Japanese friends and I had arrived Miyashimaguchi, we directly went to one restaurant in front of the train station to eat famous local grilled fish (after a really long queue), after we saw the shrine, it was a time to sample famous local delicacy “Momiji-manju” some kind of assorted cake in the shape of maple leaf. As we did not know what shop is the best, so we just bought from every shop we saw and sampled them!! After we returned to Hiroshima it’s time for Yakisoba or Japanese fried noodle, other specialties in this region. A trip to Itsukushima really made me full.