Where to Go Miyajima


2020.10.28

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

Where to Go Miyajima

Miyajima Island has many places worth exploring, making this island a great day trip destination from Hiroshima filled with plenty of wonders. Also home to thousands of deers, this island is where one of the greatest Japanese shrines called “Itsukushima Shrine” and its magnificent floating red torii gate are located. Here are a few places that you shouldn’t miss while you are on this beautiful island.

  • 01

    Itsukushima Shrine

    Itsukushima Shrine is the most prominent sightseeing spot on Miyajima. It’s widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Japan, and when you see the reflection of the majestic torii gate reflected in the water at high tide, it’s not difficult to understand why. The first shrine buildings are believed to have been built here back in the 6th century, although the current shrine dates from the 16th century. It consists of several buildings, including the iconic torii gate, the shrine building itself, as well as a Noh stage built in 1605. The entire shrine complex is a UNESCO World heritage site, as well as a Japanese National Treasure.

    Kyaku Jinja
    place
    Hiroshima Hatsukaichi-shi Miyajimacho 1-1
    phone
    0829442020
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  • 02

    Senjokaku

    An impressive hall that was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi back in the end of the 16th century. The name Senjokaku is colloquial and literally means “pavilion of 1000 mats”, and refers to the huge size of the building. Its official name is Toyokuni Shrine. The interior is open and there’s not much blocking the air from flowing through it, making it an excellent place to cool down during hot summer days. Another standout feature is that that most of the structure is unpainted, making it extra valuable for researchers studying the effects of wear and tear from nature during the years since it was built. A 100 yen admission fee is charged to enter the structure.

    Toyokuni Jinja (Sen Tatami Kaku)
    rating

    4.0

    487 Reviews
    place
    Hiroshima Hatsukaichi-shi Miyajimacho 1-1
    phone
    0829442020
    opening-hour
    8:30-16:30
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  • 03

    Momijidani Park

    Behind the shrine you’ll find a beautiful Momijidani park. The name means “Maple Valley”, and once you reach it you’ll immediately understand why. Countless maple trees are located here, as well as a few smaller shrines and a cozy little café with a large outdoor garden. This part of the island is far less crowded than the temple and shopping street near the ferry port, so it provides a good place to head to if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. Especially during the autumn foliage, as its name implies, the maple leaves will turn into colorful red, oranges and yellows.

    Momijidani Park
    rating

    3.5

    36 Reviews
    place
    Hiroshima Pref. Hatsukaichishi Miyajimachou
    phone
    0829442011
    opening-hour
    Admission freedom
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  • 04

    Hiking trails up Mt Misen

    If you are fit and don’t mind spending more than just a few hours on the island, the walking trails which can be found from here that start at Momijidani Park and lead all the way up to the summit of Mt. Misen are worth a shot. There are a few different trails, taking slightly different routes, but they will all take you up to the top. Expect the hike to take around two hours.

    View from the top of Mt. Misen

    View from the top of Mt. Misen

    Mount Misen
    place
    Hiroshima Pref. Hatsukaichishi Miyajimachou
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  • 05

    Omotesando Shopping Street

    Since Miyajima is one of the major tourist destinations in Japan, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are countless shops selling souvenirs, some of which are more interesting than others. Most of these are located at Omotesando Shopping Street that leads from the ferry port to the big torii gate. Besides souvenir shops, this area also has plenty of restaurants and several street food vendors, as well as some cozy cafés.

    What is believed to be the largest wooden rice scoop known as O-Shakushi is on display in the middle of the Omotesando Shopping Street. It is 7.7 meters long, 2.7 meters thick and 2.5 tonnes and said to be made from a 270 year old Zelkova tree.
    Currently, the display has been removed and is expected to be open to the public from April 2021 but will be relocated to other places on the island. Although the island is famous for its rice scoops, many are made from foreign timber due to deforestation and lack of native woods on the islands. Not for daily use but as a spiritual and good luck items, many visitors like to buy these on the island as its getting harder to find a higher grade “shamoji” (rice scoops) made purely from wood rather than plastic or cheap plywood more commonly sold now.

    Omotesando Shopping Street
    place
    Hiroshima Pref. Hatsukaichishi Miyajimachou
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  • 06

    Access

    Take the ferry from Miyajimaguchi Port on the mainland. The ferry takes about 10 minutes, but depending on the season, it may vary. The port itself is a short walk from Miyajimaguchi Station. From Yokogawa Station in Hiroshima City, it will take about 20minutes to reach Miyajimaguchi Station on the Sanyo Line.

    Miyajimaguchi(Sea Line)
    place
    Hiroshima Pref
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    Miyajima Coral Hotel

    1-9-8 Miyajimaguchi, Hatsukaichi Hiroshima

    Agoda
    • Miyajima Coral Hotel
    • Miyajima Coral Hotel
    • Miyajima Coral Hotel
    • Miyajima Coral Hotel
    • Miyajima Coral Hotel

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