Miyama Shrine (Inner Shrine of Itsukushima)
The inner shrine of Itsukushima, resting near the summit of Mount Misen.
History and Divine Virtue
Near the summit of Mount Misen, the sacred peak of Miyajima, stands the okumiya — inner shrine — of Itsukushima Shrine, enshrining the same three Munakata goddesses as the main shrine. Each goddess is housed in her own small sanctuary, and the three buildings standing in a row are plain and quiet in contrast to the splendor of the shrine on the shore; yet this spot is regarded as the very heart of the Itsukushima faith, which holds the whole island to be the body of the deity. Mount Misen is also a place of mountain asceticism said to have been opened by the monk Kukai, and the Reikado hall of Daisho-in and clusters of giant boulders lie scattered around the summit. Worshipping at the main shrine on the water, then climbing to the inner shrine, allows one to meet the deity of Miyajima from both sea and mountain. Below spread the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and on calm days the mountains of Shikoku are visible.
Visiting Notes
- The three goddesses each occupy a separate sanctuary; this row of three buildings is a sight found only at the inner shrine.
- The shrine lies a short way down a side path from the trail between the Shishiiwa ropeway station and the summit.
- The summit area is rich in sights — the Reikado hall, Kuguri-iwa, giant boulders — so allow about two hours for the round trip.
- There is no shrine office; goshuin seals are handled at the main shrine. Bring water and sturdy shoes.
Visiting the main shrine on the sea and the inner shrine on the mountain as a pair is a way of receiving the energies of water and mountain in one journey. Musuhi Techo recommends combining it with Itsukushima Shrine in a single day.
Deities and Location
- Enshrined Deities
- Ichikishimahime no Mikoto, Tagorihime no Mikoto, Tagitsuhime no Mikoto
- Location
- 広島県廿日市市宮島町（弥山） (undefined)
- Access
- About 40 minutes on foot from Shishiiwa Station on the Miyajima Ropeway.
Visiting hours, goshuin (shrine stamps), and festival dates change; please confirm the latest information through each shrine's official announcements. If you find an error in this entry, we would be grateful if you let us know.
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