The Top 10 Things to Do in Miyajima

Itsukushima Shrine: The Heart of Miyajima Island

The main torii gate (鳥居) to Itsukushima Shrine is also the iconic symbol of Miyajima. It is a huge, vermilion, Shinto-style gate, standing impressively in the waters off the coast in front of the Shrine. When the tide is high, the torii appears to be floating on the water. This is why it is often called a “floating gate.” When the tide is low, you can walk right up to it.

Itsukushima Shrine itself has only one entrance and one exit for visitors. It is ￥300 to enter, and the shrine closes at sunset except for special events. The whole shrine is one long, covered boardwalk, with the tide rising and falling under your feet throughout the day. It is a great place for photos and there is a shop that sells omamori (御守 – good luck charms), omikuji (御神籤 – paper fortunes), and goshuincho (御朱印帳 official Itsukushima Shrine stamps). 

It is suspected that a version of Itsukushima Shrine was built as early as the 6th century A.D. However, the version that is familiar to us today was built by the military leader Taira no Kiyomori during the Heian Period in the 12th century. In 1996 it was internationally recognized for its religious, cultural and historical significance and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine. Shintoism is Japan’s traditional religion. It has evolved through the centuries as Japanese society developed. A core concept of Shinto is “kami.” Though, the word is often translated as “gods,” it doesn’t necessarily describe discrete divine entities. Its core reference is to numinous encounters with spiritual powers typically manifested in nature. However, it also refers to canonical mythological deities, local folk spirits, prominent clan ancestors, deified Japanese emperors and, after centuries of syncretism, even Buddhas.

Shinto shrines are places to encounter the kami enshrined there and make petitions. So, when locals visit a shrine, they pay respects to the kami in the hope it may look after them. Itsukushima Shrine is considered the home of three sister gods from Shinto mythology: Ichikishimahime no Mikoto, Tagorihime no Mikoto, and Tagisuhime no Mikoto. They are gods of the sea and storms. 

Daisho-in: The Enchanting Shingon Temple

Daisho-in (大聖院) is a cluster of structures, statues and buildings that is layered up along the side of Mt. Misen, Miyajima’s highest mountain. The countless statues and images throughout the complex are mesmerizing and packed with Buddhist symbolism, but you don’t have to be Buddhist to appreciate the space. 

Here are a couple of the most notable things within Daisho-in for me.

Climbing the mani-guruma stairs. The stairs that lead up to the top of the complex are lined with metal, spinning wheels, called mani-guruma. They are inscribed with Buddhist scriptures. It is said that turning the prayer wheels, has the same merit as reading. One bronze set starting at the bottom of the complex is inscribed with 600 volumes of the Great Hannya-kyo Sutra. Another staircase leading up to Maniden Hall, has large, dark-green prayer wheels inscribed with the Heart Sutra, a popular scripture in all sects of Mahayana Buddhism. It famously states, “Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form.” 

Henjokutsu Cave is another highlight. It is a hidden nook where 88 icons are set with lanterns, representing all of the sacred stops along the Shikoku Pilgrimage route. The hundreds of Jizo-san (地蔵さん), little guardian statues, come in all shapes and sizes, and they are all adorned with little hats which are, according to what someone told me, made by one woman who lives on the island. 

Daisho-in is the oldest temple on the island. It was founded by the monk Kobo Daishi in the 9th century A.D. Kobo Daishi was also the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, which is very common throughout Japan today. Daisho-in is known to have had a few famous people stay within its walls over the years, such as Emperor Meiji in the 19th century and the 14th Dalai Lama in 2006.

The Okeiko Experience: Wear Kimono and Participate in Traditional Japanese Activities

Okeiko is a group that operates in a beautiful Zen temple called Tokujuji (徳寿寺 ). They offer several different experiences to choose from. Among the choices are: wearing a kimono (for both men and women), participating in a tea ceremony, making onigiri (rice balls), doing calligraphy, and making omamori (good luck charms).

You have to make an appointment either by phone or on the website beforehand. They have an á la carte approach to what they offer, so you can choose up to three activities and you can choose whether or not to do them in a kimono. Of course, the price varies depending on what you choose. Prices range from ￥2,000 for a very simple version of an activity to ￥20,000 for three involved activities while wearing a kimono.

Hike Up Mount Misen: Miyajima’s Highest Peak

There are two ways to get to the top of Mount Misen, by riding the Ropeway or by hiking. There are a few trails to choose from, but I am most familiar with the Mount Misen Momiji Valley Climbing Course (弥山登山道紅葉谷コース). 

I would rank it a semi-difficult hike, mainly because it is mostly composed of uneven stairs that wind straight up for over 2.5 km. It takes me about an hour to reach the top and about 45 minutes to get back down, provided I don’t stop too much. It’s definitely a workout and it will take a chunk of your day, but if you like hiking and pretty views I highly recommend it. Definitely wear comfortable shoes, keep in mind that the ropeway closes at 17:00, and don’t get stuck up there after the sun goes down because it gets very dark! 

Most of the trail is along a beautiful river and under a thick canopy of trees, so you don’t see much of a view until you get to the very top. Near the top, you’ll suddenly find yourself on a concrete road, and you can go either left or right. Going left leads you to the top of the ropeway and a look out point. Here, you can buy a one-way ticket down the Ropeway if you don’t want to hike back down. Going right leads you to the former location of Reikado Hall (霊火堂), a buddhist temple that tragically burned to the ground in May 2026. The hall was famed for its “eternal flame” that had been kept burning for 1,200 years. The ancient flame was saved and plans are currently underway to rebuild the hall. However, until that happens, the area is currently off limits to visitors. A little further up the road from Reikado Hall is another lookout point.

The Miyajima Public Aquarium: Great For the Whole Family

The Miyajima Public Aquarium, is great for families and for people who have an interest in local marine life. It’s about ￥1,500 per adult to enter.

The aquarium has a variety of sea life common in aquariums everywhere, like sealions, starfish, and stingrays, but Miyajima’s aquarium also focuses on local marine life here in the Seto Inland Sea. For example, oysters are very common locally and they are a very popular dish here during the winter season. The aquarium shows how the oysters are farmed and what they look like under the water. 

Stop for a Bite! Okonomiyaki at Sakuramaru

If you’re hungry, there are all sorts of options in Miyajima from sit-in restaurants and snack stands to bars and cafes. For a sit-in option, I recommend a restaurant called Okonomiyaki Sakuramaru (お好み焼き桜まる). It is right on the main shopping strip leading to Itsukushima Shrine, a really convenient spot to escape the fray and sit down for a bit.

Okonomiyaki Sakuramaru is a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki restaurant, so this is mainly what they serve along with smaller teppanyaki (hot plate) foods. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is a heavy, layered food, traditionally prepared with cabbage, pork, egg, and soba noodles. This restaurant has a few special okonomiyaki, for example, a beef and konnyaku (蒟蒻 plant-based jelly-like noodle) version and a pescetarian-friendly version. The pescetarian friendly version is only made with fish, vegetable, and egg products and prepared in a special spot on the hot plate away from the meat. If you want the pescetarian option, ask for an okonomiyaki without meat; just say, “niku nashi kudasai (肉なし下さい – “no meat please”),” and they should know what you mean. If you happen to be here in the winter, I recommend the oyster okonomiyaki!

A Quiet Escape with Japanese Sweets: Yukari Chaya

Miyajima can be a little overwhelming and exhausting at times, especially if you come during the busy season. There is a little café that is away from the hustle and bustle, a great place to relax. It’s called Yukari Chaya (遊鹿里茶屋) and it is an old, grand estate, converted into a café. 

There is a western-style dining room next to the kitchen where you can watch them brew coffee and tea. There is also a tatami mat room with large windows overlooking a beautiful back garden, and there are tables out in the garden if you want to sit outside.

The menu is very simple and aside from coffee, very traditional. They serve matcha (抹茶 – green tea), and a small handful of options for sweets. The type of sweets depends on the season and they are small and delicate, and usually sweet because of red bean paste, not sugar. 

Momiji Manju: A Deliciously Popular Treat

Momiji manju (もみじ饅頭) are palm-sized, maple leaf-shaped cakes, traditionally filled with sweet bean paste and they are unique to Miyajima. Nowadays, you can find fillings of all kinds, from custard to chocolate to cheese.

There are a lot of momiji manju shops on the island but Yamadaya is probably the most famous. It was established in 1932 and it has been going strong ever since. On the first floor of the shop, you can buy individually packaged momiji manju or you can buy a nicely wrapped assortment of them. 

I like Yamadaya because it offers a chance to make your own momiji manju. You have to make an appointment and there is a fee, but unless it’s an insanely busy day, it is usually possible to make an appointment no more than an hour or two in advance and it only costs ￥550 per adult. It’s a fun experience; it’s only a half an hour and you get to eat what you make!

A Personalized Shamoji: It Makes For a Fun Memory

Among the countless shops in Miyajima, 宮島手づくり工房 Miyajima Tezukuri Koubou (宮島手づくり工房), Miyajima Homemade Goods, sticks out to me the most. I think it is because they whittle all of the wooden goods they sell by hand and they can print pictures from almost any device onto a shamoji (杓文字), or rice scoop, within 10 minutes for only ￥600. For example, it’s possible to take a picture of the Itsukushima torii on your phone, go to the shop, and have them take the photo from your phone and put it on a shamoji almost immediately. I always thought this was a good idea for a fun and thoughtful souvenir that doesn’t cost much. 

In the Mood For a Craft Beer?

The Miyajima Brewery is a great place if you like beer. The brewery itself is on the main shopping strip in Miyajima but there are lots of places that sell the beer both on the island and across Hiroshima Prefecture. 

Miyajima Brewery has a variety of flavors from light and smooth to heavy and bitter. I recommend making the brewery your last stop of the day. The main seating area has huge windows overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, and watching the sunset with a cold beer after a long day of walking around is a treat.