Our Japanese Adventures continue on Itsukushima – a small island in Hiroshima Bay, often called Miyajima, or the “Shrine Island”.
Denis Loctier, Euronews: “It’s rather unusual to discover a famous landmark on a kayak, except if you’re visiting the Itsukushima Shrine, best known for its ‘floating’ Torii gate.”
At high tide, the Seto Inland Sea partially submerges the 16-metre high Great Torii Gate that appears to be floating in front of the sacred Shinto shrine.
Kouichi Haruna, Kayaking guide: “The most beautiful sight of Miyajima is this ensemble of the great Gate, the shrine and the mountains. You can only truly see this from the water — that’s why many visitors like to get in a kayak!”
In the past, the Torii gate was used by pilgrims’ visiting the Itsukushima Shrine. Today, the whole complex is a World heritage site; its design dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of the most remarkable ensembles of Shinto architecture.
