Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社)

One of the most beautiful historic sites in Japan, although overcrowded by tourists during the day, the long bright red corridors had a very charming yet mysterious feel. Magical may seem like an exaggeration but it still felt holy and peaceful. For adults it’s 300 Yen to enter, cheaper for students and kids, I think its 200 or 100 Yen… There were some scaffolding on site, but luckily it wasn’t covering a lot of the shrine.

There was a Noh performance, which is held here every year from the 16th to 18th of April. A lot of the audience members were elderly, they were all so fixated on the stage and so was I. I wasn’t familiar with the play at all but it was quite intense with what seemed to be some sort of battle between a man and a masked figure going back and forth.

In the distance you will be able to see the great Torii, and it’s indeed a spectacular view, like a dreamland, plus you can see the tall pagoda too. I’d love to go during the high-tide, I’ve read that it will look like the shrine is floating on the waters, I’m sure it would look even more mysterious and beautiful. I went during the low-tide so I didn’t get a chance to witness this.

I shall return one day…

—Tofu