Food is a universal language.
While there may always be language barriers between people when it comes to visiting new countries, food is always something that’ll be understood regardless of what language you speak. On Miyajima Island, tourists are able to enjoy all kinds of local street food.
Setouchi lemons are named after the Setouchi region where they originate. They are large, extremely juicy lemons that are featured in many of the drinks on the island. The Hiroshima prefecture produces more than half of Japan’s lemons.
Ranging from lemon inspired cocktails to lemon soda, there’s a little bit of lemon everywhere for anyone. Lemons are carefully woven into the Miyajima culture, found in almost all products produced. They have more than just food and drinks but also skincare and perfumes inspired by lemon notes. It is more than simply just a fruit; it’s become a cultural staple to the island and throughout Hiroshima prefecture.
Refreshing and sweet, the honey lemonade is a must try for anyone traveling to Miyajima Island. It’s not too tart but not too sweet, meeting right in the middle for a refreshing drink. It’s perfect for tourists who are wandering around the island taking in the views and needing a quick breather in the form of a delicious beverage.
Thanks to the coastal environment, with their calm nutrient rich waters, Miyajima Island is home to some of the most sought-out plump oysters. Hiroshima oysters gained nationwide popularity during the Edo Period (1603-1868), opening a booming trade with other cities such as Osaka.
Oysters are farmed on wooden rafts where fishermen use the suspended rope method to catch them. Fishermen developed kaki-buns (oyster boats) which are floating restaurants and market stalls where the fishermen would sell and serve oysters directly from the boats.
Miyajima values their oysters so much that they annually host an oyster festival every February. As the name suggests, the local importance of the oyster is celebrated in this festival at Miyajima where cuisine such as oyster okonomiyaki, fried oyster and other cultural oyster dishes are served.
Becoming a local tourist commodity, many of the street vendors have oysters or modern oyster-inspired dishes, including fried oysters and dishes that incorporate oysters like sushi.
Okonomiyaki is a type of savory pancake native to Japan. Made in various styles and ingredients, the Hiroshima style okonomiyaki is amongst the best in Japan with its unique layered style consisting of noodles, cabbage, pork and a thin layer of batter.
The popularity of okonomiyaki rose after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Due to the immense destruction caused, food was scarce and often survivors had to make do with whatever could be found. People found flour and mixed a variety of different ingredients scavenged and cooked them on makeshift hot plates. These hot plates had been made from the iron plates they had recovered from the blast.
Survivors used anything they could get their hands on to add into the flour found in order to make a substantial dish. As time progressed and reconstruction ensued for Hiroshima, this mixed approach eventually became known as okonomiyaki, a now modernly loved dish throughout the prefecture including Miyajima Island.
Another popular snack on Miyajima Island is the momiji manju, maple shaped sponge cakes containing assorted fillings such as red bean, custard and chocolate.
Momiji manju was invented in 1906 on Miyajima Island. The confectioner, Takakatsu Tsunesuke, crafted the maple leaf-shaped cakes after a ryokan (a traditional-style Japanese inn), requested a unique sweet to celebrate the island’s famous fall festival called Momijidani. This festival is a viewing event for the beautiful Japanese maple leaf trees in the fall.
They wanted to curate a special and distinct treat that would be given to tourists as Miyajima was progressively transforming into a travel destination. It is often now used as souvenirs for visitors to take and used to show Hiroshima’s hospitality. It can also be prepared as a deep fried delicacy, which is popular for tourists who are passing by on the shopping streets.
On Miyajima Island, there are many new things to try when it comes to their street food. From okonomiyaki to honey lemonade, there’s something for everyone. By using this universal language called food, people are able to appreciate and understand the culture of Miyajima Island in an deliciously digestible way.
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