Itsukushima is a breathtaking and culturally significant island off the coast of Hiroshima, known for its temples, shrines and shops. Given the nickname Miyajima meaning “shrine island,” the land itself is seen as the body of god in Shintoism, Japan’s native religion.
But towering in the background over the whole island is Mount Misen, the highest point of the island standing at 1,755 feet tall. While traveling up the mountain, visitors will have several stops. This is the journey of making it to the top.
The first step to the top of Mount Misen starts by taking the Miyajima Matsudia Kisen Ferry to the island. Ferry riders on the right side of the boat can get a good look at O-Torii gate, seemingly floating in the water. The gate’s vibrant red color stands out beautifully against the island’s greenery.
After getting off the ferry, you will find a mix of tourists, shrine visitors and one of about 500 deer, which are considered sacred animals. You’ll follow the beach to Itsukushima Shrine, a large Shinto shrine that leads out to the base of the mountain. From here you can walk up the mountain and pass by more temples and shrines making your way to the ropeway cable car. Depending on the whether, you may be fortunate to see the mountain mist wafting out from the waterways.
When you make your way up to the cable cars, you can buy a one-way ticket for 1,100 yen (about USD $7.50) or a round-trip ticket for 2,000 yen (about USD $13.80).
There are two sets of cable cars. The first set gets you half way up the mountain, while the second set gets within a hike of the summit.
The first cable car will hold between four to eight people depending on size. From the cable car, you get a beautiful view of the forest that engulfs mountain side. If mist is covering the mountain, it’s almost otherworldly since you can’t see the ground.
At the midpoint, you get on another cable car that holds 15 to 30 people. The cable car will drop you off at the start of the climb to the top.The view is already amazing despite being a kilometer from the peak, seeing seemingly endless forest sprawl down the mountain. If you don’t have water with you, you can consider using a vending machine that offers your last chances to get a drink.
Now the real challenge begins as the next check point – Reikado Hall, home to the eternal flame – is 0.7 kilometers up the mountain. Called the “unquenchable flame,” the fire has been kept burning by Buddhist monks for 1,200 years and served as the source for the Flame of Peace at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The flame heats large iron pot with water that’s said to have healing properties. Visitors are encouraged to take a sip of the healing water to help make it to the top of the island. Right across from Reikado Hall is Misen Hondo Main Hall, a beautiful Buddhist temple with ornate artifacts on display. At this point, you are over halfway to the peak of Mount Misen with 0.3 kilometers left to go.
What follows is the most challenging part of the hike with the trail growing steeper the closer you get to the peak. When you finally arrive, the top of the mountain is flat with a view of pure serene nature as far as you can see. Signs warn visitors to avoid the edge. You may also hear birds in the distance. Aside from other visitors and tourists, it is truly an experience of being one with nature.
When you are done taking in the view and setting from the top of Mount Misen, you can begin your descent back to the base of the island.
If you are ever in the Hiroshima area, Miyajima is a must visit, and climbing to top of Mount Misen is something visitors will remember for the rest of their lives.
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