Itsukushima Pilgrimage and Ceremony ｜ With panoramic views of the Itsukushima World Heritage Site

Pilgrimage to Itsukushima (“oshima kaishiki” or “oshima meguri” in Japanese)

A traditional Shinto ritual in which participants circle Itsukushima by boat to express gratitude and reverence to the deities

The ritual begins in the early morning with a boat carrying Shinto priests leading a boat of participants to Itsukushima. Sailing along the coast, homage is paid to deities enshrined at the auxiliary shrines of Itsukushima Shrine.
At one of them named Yabusaki Shrine, a rite known as “otogui” ceremony is performed.

Shrines visited on the pilgrimage

In the pilgrimage, participants pay homage to Itsukushima Shrine as well as to its auxiliary and subsidiary shrines located along the island’s circumference.

Suginoura Shrine
Tsutsumigaura Shrine
Takanosuura Shrine
Koshibosoura Shrine
Aonoriura Shrine
Yabusaki Shrine
Yamashirohama Shrine
Suyanoura Shrine
Mitoko Shrine
Omoto Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine

Map of Itsukushima (Miyajima) and the shrines

History and background

The pilgrimage traces back to a Shinto myth about the deities of Itsukushima Shrine who journeyed around the island and settled at their present site.
In emulation of this legend, people have sailed around the island, seeking to strengthen their bond with the deities.

Kamakura period (12th to 14th centuries): It is believed that the pilgrimage rite flourished during the Kamakura period when Itsukushima Shrine grew more prominent.

Sengoku period (15th to 16th centuries): A leading daimyo, Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582), is said to have visited Itsukushima Shrine and took part in the pilgrimage amid his efforts to unify the nation.

Edo period (17th to 19th centuries): During the Edo period, specialists of the shrine known as “oshi” began guiding pilgrims around the island.

The crest of Itsukushima Shrine features three hexagons with a turtle shell, flower, and sword design. It is said to have drawn inspiration from the rock fissure patterns at Mitoko Shrine.

The crest of Itsukushima Shrine

Mitoko Shrine

Otogui Ceremony

A traditional Shinto ritual in which participants circle Itsukushima by boat to express gratitude and reverence to the deities

A particularly important rite performed during the pilgrimage in the sea off Yabusaki Shrine
Off the coast of Yabusaki Shrine, offerings are placed upon a raft floating on the sea. During the ritual, lucky observers will see messengers of the deities—a pair of male and female divine crows—fly to the raft, take the offerings in their beaks, and carry them into the grove of Yabusaki Shrine.

Illustration of the Itsukushima Island with an older japanese style boat

Nanaura Pilgrimage

The Nanaura shrines (seven Ebisu)along the seven small inlets of Itsukushima

Some of the shrines visited on the pilgrimage are situated along seven small inlets. These shrines are collectively known as the “Nanaura shrines,” meaning “seven inlet shrines.” They have also been known as the “seven Ebisu of the seven inlets” since around the 16th century, when the worship of Ebisu, the deity of good fortune, prosperity, and the protection of fishermen, became widespread throughout Japan.
Over time, this pilgrimage was referenced in folk songs and came to be known also as “Nanaura meguri,” or the “pilgrimage of the seven inlets.”

Suginoura Shrine : Nanaura shrine No. 1
Tsutsumigaura Shrine
Takanosuura Shrine : Nanaura shrine No. 2
Koshibosoura Shrine : Nanaura shrine No. 3
Aonoriura Shrine : Nanaura shrine No. 4
Yabusaki Shrine : Otogui ceremony location
Yamashirohama Shrine : Nanaura shrine No. 5
Suyanoura Shrine : Nanaura shrine No. 6
Mitoko Shrine : Nanaura shrine No. 7

Aonoriura Shrine

Yamashirohama Shrine

Suyanoura Shrine

Miyajima Tour Cruise

On our Miyajima Tour Cruise, participants will visit each shrine by circling Itsukushima (Miyajima) clockwise, following the same route as the pilgrimage.
They will disembark at Aonoriura Shrine where participants will give their prayers. A Japanese-speaking guide on board will provide explanations of the Shinto ritual and of each shrine.
We invite you to take this special opportunity to encounter the beauty of Japan’s landscape and the legacy of prayer that has been passed down through generations.

Miyajima Tour Cruise