Known as the main street of Miyajima, Omotesandō Street is a 350-meter long shopping strip is a main attraction to tourists.
From mouth-watering eats to must-buy trinkets, Miyajima Omotesandō has it all. With over 60 bustling stores, this popular shopping strip draws visitors and locals alike to its hub to satisfy their cravings. If it isn’t the mouth-watering smells pulling the crowds in, the quaint gift shops with homemade goods will surely have individuals coming through.
The street is rich in authenticity and history. Built on years and years of tradition, growing in its fame as the years progressed. Along the strip hang red paper lanterns known as chōchin, which are a hallmark of the traditional architecture found in Japanese culture and uphold the representation of the island’s Shinto and Buddhist heritages.
Strolling through this famously known shopping strip, visitors will notice that most places only take cash. Lots of restaurants and food stands have been there for quite some time and are very traditional with not only their recipes but their payment system as well. When visiting it’s best to have yen (Japanese currency), but some stores do accept credit cards.
Not all stores along this strip are age-old. Many of the stores have been freshly renovated to appear clean and sleek. The restaurants have also been remodeled to a more youthful look, attracting more tourists.
The prices are quite inexpensive so it’s not necessary to bring a ton of money. The food prices range from 400 to 550 yen, which is equivalent to about $2.50 to $3.43. Food options range from things such as sandwiches, fried foods, sushi and tons of other options. Souvenirs can be purchased for a wider range of prices since there are more options for quality and size of items.
The Miyajima Omotesandō strip has a lot of hidden gems when considering restaurants. Some restaurants are located behind a store that visitors have to go through to get into the restaurant. Because of the renovation and adding to the buildings of this strip, there are layers to this area that are unexpected.
Miyajima Island is famously known for its homemade momiji manju which consists of a sweet, warm bean paste pressed within a pancake-style breading in the shape of a Japanese maple leaf. This sweet treat is available at many stores of Miyajima Omotesandō shopping strip. Momiji manju is originally known for its traditional red bean paste flavor but has spread into many other varieties. Some of the other unique and delicious flavors are milk, orange, yogurt, chocolate and lemon. Visitors can enjoy watching their order of Momiji Manju being made in front of them at certain places.
Trinkets and souvenirs within these stores of this shopping strip contain mostly the same items. There is a similarity within all of the trinket stores and the items they sold mainly due to the fact that this strip attracts many tourists who aren’t looking for quality as much as a small item they can take from the island for memories.
A popular animal that is sold in many different souvenir styles features wild deer (sika in Japanese), which are plentiful on the island and often approach approach people to rustle through bags looking for food. Plushes, keychains, pictures, socks and many other trinkets featuring sika are sold.
Other popular items sold are magnets and small statues in the shape of the Itsukushima Shrine. This is the main attraction of this island and what brings people from around the world.
Miyajima Omotesandō shopping strip is an amazing representation of the culture of Miyajima Island and the comforts it has to offer. From warm momiji manju to quant shops, this strip is an incredible experience worth having.
About The Author
