Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, is a small island located less than an hour away from Hiroshima. Famous for its floating torii gate, which appears to hover serenely above the tides, Miyajima has long been revered as a site of spiritual significance and natural beauty.
The island’s history stretches back centuries, its identity intertwined with the Shinto religion. Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the heart of this sacred landscape. Built on stilts to appear as if it floats, the shrine is a masterpiece of harmony, blending seamlessly with the shifting tides and the lush mountains beyond. Its vermilion corridors, elegantly framed by the blue waters, feel like an invitation to step into another world, one where human craft is seamlessly integrated with nature.