Torii

A "torii" gate is an entrance to a Shinto shrine. The red Itsukushima Otorii gate, 16m high and 60 tons heavy, stands in front of the Itsukushima shrine pavilions in the sea because people used to access the shrine from the sea. Its two big pillars were made using natural camphor trees between 500 and 600 years old. The gate has existed since 1168, although the current structure dates back to 1875. At low tide visitors walk around the great columns of the gate. At high tide the vermillion gate seems to float in the sea. This photo gallery contains several photos of the gate taken at different angles and lighting conditions.