Origin of Benten Island and Its Promenade In ancient times it was called Old Island (also known as Kyodai Island), a small islet once reached from the shore by a bridge; land reclamation at the river mouth in 1967 connected it to the mainland. At the summit reached by climbing the ninety-nine stone steps stands Itsukushima Shrine (a branch of Miyajima in Aki, Hiroshima Prefecture), enshrining the deity Ichikishimahime (Ichikishimahime no Mikoto). The deity has long been venerated as a Buddhist deity and identified as Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, so the islet has been affectionately known as Benten Island or Benten-san since ancient times. This Benten Island is home to a rare stand of ubamegashi (also called bame; family Fagaceae) in Japan, designated as a local cultural property. A roughly 200-meter promenade circles the islet, and visitors enjoy strolling while admiring the view of Suruga Bay.