Art, nature and tradition in perfect balance in the Seto Inland Sea
- 9 years ago
Around 3,000 islands dot the Seto Inland Sea
, also dubbed the ‘Mediterranean of Japan’. It’s a region rich in art, natural beauty, tradition and religious heritage, all of which make it one the country’s most popular tourist attractions.
Since ancient times the island of Miyajima has been worshipped as a holy place of Shintoism. Even today it’s a source of spirituality, epitomized in the the stunning floating gate, the Torii, as Shinto priest Michinori Fukuda explained: “From this gate we enter a sacred place. As this sanctuary, Itsukushima, is located on the sea, in the past people would come through the gate, the Torii, by boat to get here.”
The present Shinto shrine dates back to the 12th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. For centuries ordinary people weren’t allowed to set foot on Miyajima.
“As the whole island was considered sacred, it was worshipped. Therefore it wasn’t possible to live on the island, nor to build houses,” said Michinori Fukuda.
Our journey thro
, also dubbed the ‘Mediterranean of Japan’. It’s a region rich in art, natural beauty, tradition and religious heritage, all of which make it one the country’s most popular tourist attractions.
Since ancient times the island of Miyajima has been worshipped as a holy place of Shintoism. Even today it’s a source of spirituality, epitomized in the the stunning floating gate, the Torii, as Shinto priest Michinori Fukuda explained: “From this gate we enter a sacred place. As this sanctuary, Itsukushima, is located on the sea, in the past people would come through the gate, the Torii, by boat to get here.”
The present Shinto shrine dates back to the 12th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. For centuries ordinary people weren’t allowed to set foot on Miyajima.
“As the whole island was considered sacred, it was worshipped. Therefore it wasn’t possible to live on the island, nor to build houses,” said Michinori Fukuda.
Our journey thro