We absolutely loved our experience. We happened to get there right before sunset and got stunning photos! I recommend an hour before sunset if you get a chance, so that you have gone for the ferry and walking to the gate. Lots of food stalls too! Famous Hiroshima oysters available but we were too late. Seems like shops close up after sunset, so get there earlier if you want food. We were surprised to see friendly deer that come up to people as well. Our souls really felt refreshed after this glorious experience.

As you approach the island, everyone moves to the edge of the ferry to get a first glimpse of the ottore gate, which is a spectacular sight, especially for us approaching during a high tide. The main shrine is beautiful. There was a long queue to obtain a shrine stamp for my book, but nobody was queuing at the smaller shrine near the exit so I went there instead. The area is very busy, but some of the side shrines are less busy. There are many shops and restaurants near the shrine too.

The Itsukushima Shrine Torii is one of the most photographed features in all of Japan. But the structure itself is quite amazing. The current gate (the ninth) was built over 150 years ago, in 1875, and includes massive camphor logs more than 9 meters in circumference. The entire gate is estimated to weigh some 60 tons. There are many vantage points from which to get great photos, including before the entry to the shrine.

Declared as World Heritage Site in 1996, this shrine is one of the most revered in Japan. Rebuilt in 1168 in the current style by Taira no Muri. The shrine is known for its floating gate ' Floating Torii', a vermillion coloured gate typical to all Shinto shrines. We visited this during our recent Miyajima island visit. We walked from the ferry to the shrine. Nice walk along the bay of about 20 minutes. The Red wooden long interlinking structure on the backdrop of the 1755ft green Mount Mise, is a place worth it's visit. Serene environment of the building most part of which is on the sea bed and during high tide looks like floating on the sea. Unfortunately during our visit it was low tide. Great place.

We visited Miyajima Island during the later afternoon. Arrived by fast ferry offered by the Hiiroshima World Heritage Sea Route. Where we departed from the bridge, near the Atomic Dome site, directly to Miyajima port in 40-45 minutes. After a short waterfront walk, we arrived at the Iconic Itsukushima Shrine Torii Gate. Unfortunately it was low tide and the gate was not floating in the Seto Island Sea. So we walked around the Shrine and crossed the sand for some stunning pics. If you haven't already surmised, it is HUGE! The colour intense. An ICONIC structure! As we didn't arrive by JR Ferry, we did not capture the images from the Sea with the Shrine behind it. Unfortunately we were time pressed Would we return...yes definitely! Miyajima Island was a highlight of our cross county Japan trip.

Loved it, I highly recommend going. It's a great activity to do with the family - my, at the time, 13-month-old, had a blast. During low tide, you can walk out to the Torii gate, during high tide, the shrine gives the feeling almost as if it were floating on the water.