Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic torii gate are designed to appear to be floating in the sea as the gateway to the sacred island. Although a torii is known to have been here since 1168, the current gate dates to 1875. Made of long-lasting camphor wood, its extra leg supports reflect a Shingon Buddhist influence. The shrine is associated with Taira no Kiyomori, governor of the surrounding province in 1168.  

The shrine comprises a main hall, a long main oratory, and an equally long offertory hall. The main hall has walls of white plaster between vermillion woodwork and a roof of cypress bark. Attached to the shrine is a Noh stage dating from 1590, where key events in Shintō myth have been acted.