Mysteries of the Tokaido Shinkansen: A Place Like Itsukushima Shrine, a Mysterious Torii Gate Floating on Lake Hamanako

While riding the Tokaido Shinkansen, there's a bridge that crosses a lake between Toyohashi and Hamamatsu stations. Looking towards the sea from the train, a magnificent torii gate stands on the water, much like at Itsukushima Shrine. Recently, I visited the place where this torii gate stands to investigate what kind of place it is. The red torii gate floating on Lake Hamanako in Hamamatsu City is officially called the Bentenjima Tourist Symbol Tower. I asked Google for more detailed information. - Basic Information • Height: 18 meters • Location: Chuo Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture • Access: Approximately a 3-minute walk from Bentenjima Station on the JR Tokaido Line • Origin: It's not a shrine torii, but a monument built as a tourist symbol. It's colored red after the deity enshrined at the nearby 'Benten Shrine'. Main Attractions • Winter Solstice Sunset: From late November to late January, you can witness a magical view of the sunset sinking right through the center of the red torii gate. • Low Tide: During low tide, the surrounding water recedes, allowing you to walk right up to the base of the torii gate. • Sightseeing Boat: You can also get a closer look at the torii gate from the water by taking a ferry from the Lake Hamanako Bentenjima Ferry Association. From the windows of the Tokaido Shinkansen, you can see various unusual structures and scenery besides Mt. Fuji.