Hiroshima, Japan
22 June 2014

A popular destination for locals and foreign tourists, the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima outshines many other shrines in the country with its vast history, dating more than 1,400 years since its construction.

The vermillion colored-tower shrine with its exquisite architecture design nestles perfectly in contrast with the green forest of Itsukushima and the Prussian blue sea. It captures the elegance of the Heian era under the leadership of Taira no Kiyomori in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has listed it as a protected site in Japan because it illustrates the Japanese concept of a scenic beauty, which combines nature and human creativity.

The Itsukushima Shrine is best known for the Otorii (large shrine gate), rising 16.6 meters and weighs about 60 tons. With its structure built in the sea, the vermillion color lacquer does not only ward off evil spirits but also protects it from corrosion.

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