Itsukushima Shrine

I love the feeling of cool water all around my feet. I am painted a bright, happy red, and when the ocean comes to visit, it looks like I am floating on the sea. My big, beautiful gate stands right in the water, like it is saying a big, happy hello to the waves. People say I look like a beautiful boat that decided to stay in one place forever. Do you want to know who I am? I am the Itsukushima Shrine, and I live on a special island in a country called Japan. I am so happy you are here to listen to my story.

I have been here for a very, very long time. My story began a long, long time ago, in the year 593. That is older than your grandparents, and even their grandparents. Back then, I was a small and quiet place for people to come and feel peaceful. Then, many years later, a very important leader named Taira no Kiyomori decided to make me bigger and even more beautiful. In the year 1168, he built my long, red hallways and my famous floating gate. He thought the island was so special that he wanted to keep the land pure, so he built me right over the water. I felt so proud to stand tall over the gentle waves.

Today, I have many friends who visit me. Some of my friends are gentle deer who wander around the island and might even come to say hello to you. They are very sweet. When the water goes out to play somewhere else, the sand appears, and you can walk right up to my big gate. People from all around the world come to see me. I love sharing my peaceful, floating home with everyone. I help people feel connected to the beautiful sea and the big blue sky.