The legend says that this shinto shrine was built on stilts in order for visitors not to step on the sacred island. The shrine was originally built in the 6th century, and reconstructed in the 12th century.
Itsukushima Shrine is one of the few shrines in Japan that charges an entrance fee. The best time to visit the place is during high tide, when the shrine and its Torii gate "float" on the ocean. Both were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.