The (not so) floating Torii

This floating Torii is one of the most photographed icons here in Japan. It is in the Hiroshima Prefecture.

When we first arrived, it was low tide and we could walk all the way up to the shrine. I was disappointed because all of the pictures I have ever seen of the famous "Floating Torii" showed the torii.... floating. The water level was rising in the hour we were there, but I grew too impatient to wait for the really pretty photo.

The women in the photo above are throwing rocks onto the shrine for good luck.

Said rocks.
You have your choice of ferries to take you from the mainland to Itsukushima. The ride is only about ten minutes and they run frequently.
Fare prices.

This beach makes it look like a serene environment in which to meditate. What you can't see in these photos are the gazillions of tourists enjoying the serenity and beauty.