Rain clouds hung low over Miyajima Island as SJMC Japan students arrived for a day of exploration near Hiroshima in a recent visit in June. While the weather may have discouraged some visitors, it only made me more excited to experience one of the island’s most famous natural landmarks—Mount Misen.
As an avid hiker and lover of the outdoors, I had been looking forward to seeing the mountain’s lush forests and incredible views. Even with rain in the forecast, I was determined to make the most of the adventure.
To reach the upper slopes of the mountain, some fellow classmates and I hiked 10-minutes up the baseline of the mountain and boarded the Miyajima Ropeway, a two-stage aerial tramway that carries visitors high above the island’s forests.
The ropeway stretches approximately 1.6 kilometers (about one mile) and takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach Shishiiwa Station, located 433 meters above sea level. From there, visitors can continue hiking toward the 535-meter (1,755 foot) summit of Mount Misen.
The enclosed gondola was one of my favorite parts of the experience. Despite the rainy weather, the cabin remained comfortable thanks to its ventilation system, allowing fresh mountain air to circulate while keeping us sheltered from the rain. As we floated above the treetops, the forest seemed endless like a sea of green disappearing into the mist!
Constructed in 1959, the Miyajima Ropeway was designed to provide visitors with access to Mount Misen while preserving the island’s natural beauty and sacred landscape. Engineers built a network of support towers along the steep mountainside and suspended steel cables between stations, allowing gondolas to travel high above the dense forest canopy.
By using an aerial transportation system rather than constructing a road through the mountain, developers were able to minimize environmental impact while still offering visitors breathtaking views of Miyajima’s lush scenery.
Today, the ropeway remains an impressive feat of engineering, carrying passengers through the mountains and serving as a gateway to one of the island’s most iconic destinations.
Although Mount Misen is famous for its panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea, nature had different plans for us that day. Thick fog blanketed the mountaintop, limiting visibility to only a few feet in some areas. The observation points that normally offer breathtaking vistas disappeared into a wall of white.
While I would have loved to see the surrounding islands from above, I couldn’t help but appreciate the atmosphere created by the weather. The fog transformed the mountain into something mysterious and peaceful, making it feel as though we had stepped into another world.
Even without the views, there was still plenty to enjoy.
One of the highlights of my visit was spotting local wildlife. Using my bird identification app, I was able to identify three major species as they moved through the forest canopy. I located the Blue Rock Thrush, a species that thrives in lush environments, a Japanese Bush Warbler, that only sings in the Japanese springtime, and lastly a Eurasian Siskin, that plays a vital role in seed dispersal. Hearing their calls echo through the misty woods made the mountain feel alive.
Mount Misen and the surrounding forests are home to hundreds of plant species and a diverse range of wildlife, including numerous birds, insects and small mammals. The mountain’s primeval forest is especially significant because it preserves vegetation that has remained relatively untouched for centuries.
Walking through these ancient woods, it was easy to understand why the area has been protected and celebrated for generations.
As I continued exploring, I found myself appreciating the smaller details that are often overlooked on clear days. Raindrops clung to leaves, moss covered rocks in brilliant shades of green and the forest seemed to glow beneath the overcast sky. The weather encouraged me to slow down and pay attention to the environment around me rather than focusing solely on reaching a viewpoint.
Sometimes travel experiences become memorable not because everything goes according to plan, but because they don’t.
Looking back, was it the ideal day to visit Mount Misen? Probably not if your goal is to enjoy the famous views from the summit.
Yet, I wouldn’t change the experience. The combination of misty forests, unique wildlife and the peaceful ride on the ropeway made the day unforgettable.
Miyajima showed me a different side of itself—one hidden beneath the clouds and rain. While I may return someday hoping for clear skies, this foggy adventure reminded me that some of the best travel memories come from embracing whatever nature decides to give you!
About The Author
