Itsukushima Shrine

An island floating in the Seto Inland Sea off Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. Revered since ancient times as a pilgrimage site for Itsukushima Shrine, the entire island is considered sacred. Known for views from Miyosen's observation deck, momiji manju (maple leaf cakes), and okonomiyaki, it attracts about 3 million tourists annually. It is the center of Seto Inland Sea tourism.

Japan's indigenous religious tradition founded on nature and ancestor veneration. With approximately 80,000 shrines nationwide, Shinto is deeply woven into daily life through worship and prayer. It marks life's significant moments: New Year visits, rites of passage (Shichigosan), and weddings. As the most foundational element of Japanese culture, Shinto maintains supreme importance in tourism and cultural preservation.

A memorial to war and peace in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Concentrates the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park, and Peace Memorial Museum. A crucial center for post-war peace education, registered as UNESCO World Heritage. Local cuisine like okonomiyaki adds appeal. Attracting over 12 million visitors annually, it stands as a symbol of peace recognized internationally.

A shrine built over the sea on Miyajima island in the Seto Inland Sea, iconic for its great torii gate standing in the water at high tide. Registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1996, it has been celebrated since ancient times as one of Japan's Three Most Scenic Views.

A World Heritage shrine on Miyajima Island in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. The floating torii gate and shrine buildings comprise one of Japan's three most scenic views. The vermillion buildings change appearance with the tides, having been developed into their current form by Taira no Kiyomori. The great torii gate's major renovation was completed in 2022.

A shrine located on Miyajima Island in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. Its defining feature is a marine sanctuary structure assuming its current form in the 12th century. The iconic torii gate stands 16 meters high—at high tide pilgrims walk around its base, while at low tide they approach on foot. Famous as one of Japan's Three Great Views, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The autumn Kengengaku festival features musicians on boats circumnavigating the shrine. With over three million annual pilgrims, it ranks among Japan's most internationally recognized maritime structures.

The head shrine of Inari worship located in Fushimi, Kyoto. Distinctive for its thousands of vermillion torii gates covering the mountainside, creating a tunnel-like path. Revered as the deity of commerce and prosperity, it attracts approximately 2.7 million visitors annually. Serves as the chief shrine for about 30,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan.

World-famous for its 'Senbon Torii' — roughly 10,000 vermillion torii gates forming a tunnel up the mountain. As the head shrine of Inari worship with over 1,300 years of history, it is one of Japan's most popular destinations for international visitors.

A shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, enveloped by approximately 700,000 square meters of evergreen forest in the heart of Tokyo. It draws more New Year's worshippers than any other shrine in Japan, with over three million annual visitors. The tranquil oasis amid the urban bustle is highly popular with international tourists.