Low tide for the Floating Tori Gate on Miyajima Island.

Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社 嚴島神社), Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures. It is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions and is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view.

The torii seen in the photograph above is a replica of the one at the Itsukushima Shrine and is located at the Japan Pavilion within the World Showcase at Disney's EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow). Looking through the gate, you can see Spaceship Earth in the background along with large lagoon in the middle of the showcase.

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

The Floating Torii Gate at the World Heritage site at the Itsukishima Shrine on Miyajima Island.

Leaving Itsukushima island on the ferry, catching a last glimpse of the giant floating Otorii gate, with the towering silhouette of Mt. Misen in the background.

For the Textures for Layers challenge #89 Floating Gate

Thanks to:

textures rubyblossom JoesSistah irisb477 cleanzor

Gate Paul Mannix

Lady HiddenYume-stock at deviantart

Hair brush Nosferabat at deviantart

Heron _Dori_

Butterflies JoesSistah

I got really strange color tones when I scanned this. Not sure it it had to do with my exposure time, or just some quirk with the scanner (it happens sometimes). I had to do a lot of color correction after the fact, which I don't normally have to do.

Itsukushima (Miyajima), Hiroshima, Japan. I've been to Japan twice, and my favorite place is Hiroshima. There is a lot of history there due to WWII, and the famously photographed Isukushima Gate is nearby.

Itsukushima Shrine @Miyajima Island

Well, here we are on Miyajima, watching the sun set across the gap between the island and Hiroshima.

Itsukushima (Miyajima), Hiroshima, Japan. I've been to Japan twice, and my favorite place is Hiroshima. There is a lot of history there due to WWII, and the famously photographed Isukushima Gate is nearby.

The "floating" gate in Miyajima (Itsukushima island), at low tide.

Japan, September 2009.

HDR of Miyajima Island, Hiroshima

Was really missing Japan the other day...so I decided to go through some of my old pictures to see what treasures I could find from back in my point and shoot days.

We happened to walk by while this couple was taking their wedding pictures.

Well, maybe not floating, but not very heavy either...

SONY DSC