The first shrine buildings here were probably erected in the 6th century. The sites reveal great artistic and technical skill and are unique among extant shrine buildings in Japan. The property is a Shinto shrine, a religion which centres on polytheistic nature worship, the origin of which goes back to primitive times. Criterion (i): The configuration of the shrine buildings of ltsukushima-jinja presents an excellent architectural scene on the lines of the aristocratic residential style of this period. Criterion (ii): The shrine buildings of Itsukushima-jinja are in the general tradition of Shinto shrine architecture in Japan and provide invaluable information for the understanding of the evolving spiritual culture of the Japanese people, namely the Japanese concept of scenic beauty.