Torii Gate of Miyajima, Japan

 

There are many attractions in Miyajima Island waiting for us to explore, but Torii Gate will always sit in the first place. Even though it is a small attraction, once you visit you’ll slowly realise its cultural and historical significance is really big. Yes, today we're gonna help you to understand more about this Japanese rich cultural site, attracting thousands to millions of visitors coming to enjoy its epic views.

Often called “floating torii”, Miyajima Torii Gate is located on the island of Miyajima in Hiroshima Bay. The gate was built on water to emphasise the unity of nature- both water and land. Even today this Shinto symbol reflects Japanese rich heritage along with highlighting great spots to enjoy evening sunset from Itsukushima Shrine.

 

This Torii Gate stands on stilts, where we can see torii floating during high tide and stable during low tide. Its construction is typically a curious one, made by the cypress wood that helps to be resistant during harsh weather, water and salt. Its red colour symbolizes warding off evil spirits. Since it exists in the middle of the water, creating a more stunning visual effect makes it a more popular subject for photographs especially during sunset. 

 

Despite that, its red color is an intrinsic feature captivating the minds of visitors and we can watch from the shrine itself. This red color or China red is gathered from mineral pigment called cinnabar (one kind of copper sulphides). Every year on November 20, torii gate celebrates a lighting ceremony where visitors can enjoy a picturesque spectacle over the water. 

 

History of Torii Gate 

 

The History of Floating Torii Gate goes back to ancient time, approximately during the year of 1875. During this time its current structure was built in XNUMX with an impressive traditional Japanese architecture and design from unpainted cypress wood. Even during ancient times, entry to the sacred island of Miyajima represents spiritual activity and indicates part of your cultural heritage of Japan. 

Great spots for Shinto worship and Buddhism have intertwined in each part to the shrine and torii gate. Every 25 years once this torii gate underwent renovation and major changes, reason for these renovations is just to preserve landmarks to upcoming generations. Today it stands 16.6 meters tall, making it one of the largest torii gates in Japan.

 

The gate today became a part of the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, when tides are low visitors can take a walk from the island out to the gate. However, the site is also part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto”. 

 

When to Visit Torii Gate?

 

Torii Gate creates the most magical atmosphere but it is possible only during sunrise and sunset. So planning your trip during sunrise or sunset creates an extra aura of mysticism and its lights reflecting off the water that creates a more picturesque view over the torii gate. 

 

How to Reach the Floating Torii Gate?

 

To reach Torii Gate of Miyajima Island by taking ferry services available from Hiroshima Porto to Miyajimaguchi Station. Once you reach the island you can take a stroll to Itsukushima Shrine and from there either you can enjoy the view of the gate from the shrine itself or visit close to the gate. 

Related Search: Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan. 

                          Fushimi Inari Taisha, Japan.