While researching Miyajima one may assume that this tiny island with its Shinto shrines and scenic views of nature might lack an entry in any culinary journal. Those that make that assumption find how wrong they were the moment they walk around Miyajima’s main streets. Step into any restaurant and feast on seafood caught in the local waters. Get a jolt of caffeine while sipping espresso drinks or indulge in ice cream served on a sweet bun. Satisfy your food cravings by sampling any of the snacks offered by the local street food vendors.
Front entrance to Tori-I
Oysters at Tori-I
Udon at Tori-I
Grilled conger eel at Tori-I
Tori-I
With Miyajima’s proximity to water, seafood dishes take the top spot at many of the island’s restaurants. Miyajima’s most popular seafood dishes include conger eel and oysters caught in local waters. For a taste of both conger eel and oysters visit Tori-I. Those who wish to eat oysters may order inside the restaurant or from the takeout window to the right of the entrance. Order the oysters raw, grilled, or deep-fried. Those that order the grilled oysters will find them seasoned with a soy-sauce based sauce. Diners sitting inside the restaurant may choose from such dishes as udon with shrimp or grilled conger eel. The grilled conger eel sits on a bed of rice in a bento box.
Front entrance to Itsuki
Coffee at Itsuki
Miyajima Itsuki Coffee
For a classic cafe experience head to Itsuki Coffee. The menu at Itsuki Coffee has various espresso choices, served either iced or hot. Besides espresso the menu features pastries such as muffins, scones, and biscotti. This cafe is perfect for visitors needing a caffeine fix or somewhere to sit and unwind. Itsuki Coffee’s décor is modern but warm with wood accents. Seating is available inside, or outside with weather permitting.
Sweet bun with ice cream at Melon-Pan Ice
Sign at Melon-Pan Ice
Melon-Pan Ice
Regardless of the day’s temperature, few can resist the draw of warm baked dessert bread with ice cream. The chain Melon-Pan Ice opened a location in Miyajima, where tourists and locals both line-up for tasty treats. Melon-Pan is the name of a sweet bun popular in Japan. The bread bun is soft in the inside but the top has a thin layer of crispy dough that resembles that of a cut and diced melon. Melon-Pan Ice takes the fresh-baked warm bun, cuts it in half, and adds a scoop of ice cream. The resulting combination is so delicious that a nearby sign proclaiming it as “Japanese soul food” isn’t an exaggeration.
Mascot for a street food vendor in Miyajima
Fried star from a street food vendor in Miyajima
Steamed buns from a street food vendor in Miyajima
Fish cake from a street food vendor in Miyajima
Miyajima Street Food
For those in need of a quick bite, or if you don’t have time to sit at a restaurant, you’ll find many street side vendors selling various snacks. One dish in particular to try is a fried pastry made in the shape of a star. These fried stars come filled with your choice of cheese, custard cream, or red bean. Non-fried options include fresh-baked steamed buns filled with beef. Another popular street vendor sells rolled up fish cakes, grilled and served to customers right off the hot stove.
Miyajima Island has long been a draw for tourists and locals alike for its serenity, nature, and shrines. Visitors are consistent in voting Miyajima Island one of the top scenic spots in Japan. A quick look on a map and you’ll find that Miyajima’s actual name is Itsukushima. In Japanese Miyajima means Shrine Island, and the nickname has stuck. With easy access by boat, Miyajima Island makes for a perfect day trip when visiting nearby Hiroshima.
Sunset on Miyajima Island
Traveling to Miyajima Island
You’ll find Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Bay. Travelers visiting Hiroshima can add an extra day in the region to visit Miyajima Island. It is easy to reach Miyajima Island from Hiroshima. The trip is less than an hour and makes for a perfect day trip. Visitors will reach Miyajima Island from Hiroshima by train and boat.
To reach Miyajima Island most visitors in Hiroshima will board the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station. The JR Line is the fastest way to reach Miyajimaguchi Station. The popular Japan Rail Pass that many tourists use to travel around Japan covers the JR Sanyo Line. Those that did not buy a Japan Rail Pass have two options to reach Miyajimaguchi Station. The fastest route is to buy a round trip ticket for the aforementioned JR Sanyo Line. The cheaper, and slower, alternative is to take the Number 2 Tram Line from central Hiroshima bound for Miyajimaguchi.
Upon reaching Miyajimaguchi Station follow the signs to the Miyajimaguchi/Miyajima Ferry Port. This short walk leads you to the boats sailing to Miyajima Island. At the Port, Japan Rail Pass holders may use the entrance marked JR and board the next available boat bound for Miyajima Island. Those without a Japan Rail Pass will need to buy tickets at the nearby kiosk for the next available sailing.
Travelers without a Japan Rail Pass can reach Miyajima Island without boarding a train. Two other docks, at Hiroshima Peace Park and Hiroshima Port, offer direct boat rides between Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.
Street with shops on Miyajima Island
Deer outside a storefront on Miyajima Island
World’s largest wooden rice scooper
Arriving at Miyajima Island
Regardless of which boat you take to reach Miyajima Island you will disembark at Miyajima Pier. From the Pier turn right and walk along the path next to the waterfront. As you walk along the path, and throughout Miyajima Island, you may come upon deer roaming free. These deer appear tame and comfortable around humans, as long you do not bother them. Visitors enjoy taking photos with the deer, but be sure to treat the animals with care. Remember, the deer are wildlife. Approach the deer with caution, stay at a safe distance, and do not touch or feed the deer. The deer will eat paper tourists are holding in their hands. Be mindful if you are holding maps or brochures near the deer.
To the left of the waterfront pathway you will find local owned businesses on the streets of Omotesando and Machiya. Miyajima artisans are fond of using wood to create everything from trays to containers. You can even find pieces of woodwork with etchings of various Miyajima sights. Rice scoopers are one popular item the wood makers craft. As you walk among the stores keep an eye out for a display featuring the largest rice scooper in the world.
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
Five-Storied Pagoda
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
At the end of the streets with stores and restaurants you will come upon Itsukushima Shinto Shrine. The Shrine’s buildings, along with the nearby Five-Storied Pagoda and O-Torii, have the honorable designation of being a UNESCO World Cultural Site. Most visitors are familiar with Miyajima Island because of the O-Torii, or Grand Torii Gate. The O-Torii is first visible from the boat one takes to reach Miyajima Island.
O-Torii Gate during high tide
O-Torii Gate during low tide
Viewing the O-Torii is a different experience depending on whether you visit during low tide or during high tide. Upon disembarking from the boat that brought you to Miyajima Island visit the nearby Information Booth for a posted sign with times for low and high tide. Pre-planners can find tide times posted online if you need to know the times before your visit. High tide is the perfect time for photos as the O-Torii sits surrounded by water. Low tide offers visitors the chance to see the O-Torii up close as you may walk up to the Gate. The ground is wet, muddy, and slippery, so wear proper shoes for the walk to the O-Torii during low tide.
Ropeway up Mt. Misen
Mt. Misen temple
Religious statues found on Mt. Misen
Mt. Misen (the Sacred Mountain) and Observatory
Included in the World Heritage designation is Mt. Misen, known as the Sacred Mountain. The landscape of the Island has drawn many spiritual beings to Miyajima. As you hike Mt. Misen, you will find large rocks and trees amidst temples and religious statues. To hike any part of Mt. Misen requires being in good physical health. It is possible to hike from the base of Mt. Misen to the top. Most visitors will ride the Miyajima Ropeway, which will allow you to bypass a large part of Mt. Misen. From the waterfront follow the signs to the Momijidani Station and use the Ropeway to reach either Kayatani or Shishiiwa Station.
View from Mt. Misen Observatory
Mt. Misen Observatory
Rocks on Mt. Misen
Even taking the Ropeway to the furthest point, Shishiiwa, still leaves hikers with a strenuous trail to the top most observation deck. The reward in reaching the observation deck is stunning views of Seto Inland Sea and the surrounding Islands.
Daishoin Temple grounds
One of Daishoin Temple’s Halls
Daishoin Sutra
Religious statues on the grounds of Daishoin Temple
Daishoin Temple
With its deep connection between nature and spirituality, Miyajima is home to many temples. One in particular, Daishoin Temple, is one of the grandest on Miyajima Island. The grounds for Daishoin Temple makes it one of the larger temples to explore on Miyajima Island. The easiest way to locate Daishoin is if you position yourself with the Miyajima Ropeway behind you, and the O-Torii Gate in front of you. At that point turn left to reach Daishoin. Take your time walking and admiring the serene grounds, various halls, and thousands of religious statues.
