1. Vi Phan Phillip Langenkamp Drew Hitchcock
Itsukushima Shrine
Image obtained from Wikipedia
Vi Phan
Phillip Langenkamp
Drew Hitchcock

2. Location Located at: City of Hatsukaichi in the Hiroshima Prefecture
Longitude: N34˚ 17’ 39.9”
Latitude: E132˚ 19’ 28.7”
City of Hatsukaichi in the Hiroshima Prefecture
Inland Sea of Japan
Image Source:
Image Source:

3. History
The first buildings were likely built in the 6th century under Empress Suiko
It is said that a shrine was first built on the island in 593.
The current shrine was constructed in 1168 with funds provided by Taira no Kiyomori
In 1555 the Battle of Miyajima took place, and it has been the only battle to be fought on the sacred island
No deaths or births have been permitted at the shrine to retain purity
Burials on the island are forbidden
Itsukushima Shrine Family Crest
Images obtained from Wikipedia

4. Cultural Significance
The Torii gate is famous for being one of the “Three Views of Japan”
The entire island of Miyajima is considered to be a Shinto Temple
Recognized to be a national treasure
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Images obtained from Wikipedia

5. Torii Gate at Miyajima
A Torii gate is used indicate the entrance to a sacred space
People had to come to the island by first passing underneath the Torii Gate
At high tide it appears to be floating, but at low tide people can walk underneath it
The current gate was constructed in to 1875, but a gate has existed there since 1168
The gate is built of camphor wood and stands 16 meters tall
Images obtained from Wikipedia

6. Travel Considerations
The shrine is a 5-10 minute walk from the Miyajima Ferry Pier
Nearby Hotels
Benten no Yado Itsukushima
Onsen Baths (hot springs)
Seafood
Torii Gate view in some rooms
Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto
17th century sukiya style hotel built in the Edo period
Private open air baths with views of the Shrine and the Torii Gate
Image Sources:

7. Works Cited http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/776