Want to go to an area in Japan with vibrant mountains, sacred spaces, waterfalls and nature? Miyajima Island may be the place you’re looking for.
Near Hiroshima, there is an island with everything including breathtaking views and the hikes that come with it! The island also hosts shops like a Studio Ghibli store, Starbucks, seafood restaurants and many other stops along the way. Miyajima is a living embodiment of worlds colliding along the coast. Despite all the shopping, it is sacred place.
Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, is home to Itsukushima Shrine built around 530 A.D. In 806 A.D., Kobo Daishi, a Buddhist priest, returned from China during the T’ang Dynasty and visited Miyajima. After being on the island for a while, he felt the island’s holy spirits. Kobo created a temple on Mount Misen.
In the 16th century, Shōgun Toyotomi Hideyoshi commissioned for the building of Senjokaku, situated on a hill above the main temple. Over time, the island became more of a ground to worship nature. Now the island is open to the world for everyone to worship, tour and learn its deep history.
The island is popular for its mountains and scenery. The best way to enjoy the trip up the mountain is by taking a ropeway (cable car). The ropeway makes it easier for people to traverse up the mountain. The ropeway provides stunning views of the trees, mountains and the view of Hiroshima Bay. This photogenic ride not only takes your breath away, but it also saves you from a difficult hike up the mountain. The ride up for adults costs 2,000 yen (about USD $13) for a round trip. You don’t want to hike up the mountain during Japan’s rainy season in June, as the pathways get dangerously slippery.
Not only do you get to witness its beauty going up, there is one final path you get to take up to Mount Misen. As the path gets more narrow and steep, you approach the highest point at approximately 1,755 feet. About 10 minutes before the summit, you will get to see the eternal flame, built by Kobo Daishi. The flame itself has been burning for 1,200 years and was used to start the Flame of Peace at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. A heated cauldron offers visitors warm sacred water believed to cure all diseases in the world.
Once you get back down from the mountain, the main area is just one big treat.
Near the coast of Miyajima, visitors can find restaurants, shops and vending machines. Most of the restaurants that you walk past sell oysters. Why is that? Well, Hiroshima is the second largest oyster producer in the world. They produce 60% of Japan’s oysters every year. The majority of these restaurants in the restaurant are seafood based. You may also find wandering deer or a deer walking right next to you. These deer on the island do not feel threatened near humans, in fact they typically approached visitors, nibbling on clothing, backpacks and any food on hand.
As you walk past the shops, you will see the main shrine. The best time to go on the ground is during low tide, which allows visitors to walk right up to the O-Torii Gate. But seeing the gate at high tide gives the appearance that the gate is floating on water. Be careful around the sting rays and other sea creatures roaming around the shrine around high tide hours.
This is a must-go place in Japan, if you have plans to go to Hiroshima, Miyajima offers wildlife, scenery and shops. Do whatever you must to add this on your list for a visit to Japan.
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