One of Japan’s Top Scenic Spots! 9 Must-Visit Miyajima Attractions

If you’re visiting Miyajima, fall is especially recommended.
On Miyajima, where Approx. 14% of the island is registered as a World Heritage cultural area, there are many famous spots for fall foliage viewing.
The best time is from mid to late November, when you can enjoy scenery unique to the season.
Why not take a relaxed stroll around Miyajima in fall with a fried momiji manju in hand?

Here’s how to access Miyajima from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
Basically, you’ll go via Hiroshima Station to reach Miyajima, so we’ll break it down into:
, Access from major cities to Hiroshima Station
, Access from Hiroshima Station to Miyajima

Itsukushima Shrine was built on Itsukushima, known as the Island of the Gods.
It’s said to have been founded in the first year of Empress Suiko’s reign (593) by Saeki no Kuramoto.
Three goddesses are enshrined here: Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto, Tagorihime-no-Mikoto, and Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto.
Famous for bestowing many blessings, the three goddesses are worshiped as deities of the sea, transportation, wealth and good fortune, and the arts.

This is Miyajima’s most historic temple in Hiroshima Prefecture, founded in the first year of Daido (806).
It’s said that after Kobo Daishi returned from Tang China, he crossed to Miyajima, trained on Mt. Misen, and founded the temple.
Sacred Mt. Misen has many sites associated with Kobo Daishi, and Daishoin serves as the head temple overseeing them.

An aquarium on Miyajima, known as the island of the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine.
It’s located Approx. a 5-minute walk from the Itsukushima Shrine exit, making it easy to add to your sightseeing route. The Japanese-style building with a tiled roof is especially memorable, designed to blend in with Miyajima’s historic scenery.
Inside, you’ll find over 15,000 marine animals including 380 species of fish and mammals. Highlights include a tank for finless porpoises living in the Seto Inland Sea, plus zones recreating Miyajima’s tidal flats and Hiroshima’s satoyama landscapes, with plenty of local-themed exhibits.

One of Miyajima’s signature fall foliage spots.
Every year from mid to late November, the park’s Approx. 700 maple trees turn brilliantly vibrant.
By species, the most common is the Iroha maple, with Approx. 560 trees that turn a vivid red, followed by Approx. 100 large-leaf Japanese maples, and then Approx. 40 trees including Ulihada maples and Yamamomiji maples.

Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street is the island’s liveliest street, lined with shops selling local specialties.
Along this Approx. 350 m arcade leading toward the large torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, you’ll find souvenir shops, folk craft stores, and restaurants serving Miyajima cuisine.
Since so many Miyajima-style souvenirs and food spots are packed into one area, it’s recommended to start your visit with a walk down this shopping street.

An old Shingon Buddhist temple adjacent to Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima.
Its original founder is unknown, but it’s said to have been restored by the monk Ryokai during the Kennin era (1201-1204).
The principal object of worship is Itsukushima Benzaiten, counted as one of Japan’s Three Great Benzaiten.
It’s said to bring wide-ranging blessings, including good fortune in money and business, traffic safety, success in love, and improvement in the arts.

Mt. Misen, the island’s highest peak at 535 m, is a place that has long been revered as especially sacred on Miyajima, where the entire island has historically been an object of worship.
Using the Miyajima Ropeway, you can reach Shishiiwa Station at an elevation of 433 m in a total ride time of Approx. 15 minutes.
From Shishiiwa Station to the summit, the trail is full of highlights, including an observation deck with panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea, old temples, and unusual rock formations.

Mt. Misen is located near the center of Miyajima, a remote island in Hiroshima Prefecture that has long been deeply revered as the “Island of the Gods.”
Since Kobo Daishi opened it in 806, it has been worshiped as a sacred peak of mountain religion, and the untouched Mt. Misen Primeval Forest remains registered as a World Heritage site together with Itsukushima Shrine.

A hands-on tourist facility where you can experience Miyajima’s traditions and history.
Traditional Miyajima crafts are displayed and sold here, including rice paddles (shamoji), lathe-turned woodwork, Miyajima-carved trays, and Miyajima clay bells, making it easy to stop by casually.

Kakiya is an oyster-specialty restaurant in the heart of Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street, which leads to Itsukushima Shrine.
They use “Jigozen oysters,” known as some of Hiroshima’s highest-quality oysters.
Confident in the flavor of their oysters, they serve them with simple seasonings.

Anagomeshi Ueno in Miyajimaguchi is a long-established restaurant founded in 1901.
It’s a popular spot known for “anagomeshi” (conger eel rice), created by the founder, Tanukichi Ueno, and originally sold as an ekiben (train station bento).
Their anagomeshi, made with thick conger eel carefully grilled and finished with a secret sauce continuously added to since the founding, is outstanding.

The only specialty coffee shop on Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture.
They source only high-quality, rare specialty coffee and roast it in-house for serving.
They’re especially particular about bean freshness, which greatly affects flavor, and the owner roasts fresh beans in-house every morning.

Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street is along the route from the Miyajima ferry terminal to Itsukushima Shrine.
Located midway down the street, Yakigaki no Hayashi is said to be the original restaurant for grilled oysters, with a history of over 75 years since it opened.

A long-established Japanese sweets shop on Omotesando Shopping Street, which connects Miyajima Pier—the island’s gateway—to the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine.
For over 100 years since its founding in 1912, it has been a renowned shop selling specialties representing both Miyajima and Hiroshima, including momiji manju.

A Japanese-modern hotel opened in 2017 in a prime location just a 1-minute walk from Miyajima Pier.
Produced by Nishikikan, a ryokan with over 120 years of history on the island, the concept is “your Miyajima home for adults,” where you can relax as if it were your own vacation house.
With room types like ocean views, loft rooms, and view bath rooms, each stay can feel fresh no matter how many times you visit.

A long-established ryokan founded in 1902, in a prime location Approx. a 3-minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine.
A rare natural hot spring for Miyajima bubbles up on the property.
While valuing Miyajima’s traditions and history, it continues to evolve—adding, in February 2023, a half open-air hot spring guest room limited to one room per day, as well as Miyajima’s only rooftop lounge.

A 5-minute walk from Miyajima Pier, Itsukushima Iroha sits right in front of Omotesando Shopping Street and offers a new kind of stay that overturns the usual image of ryokan and hotels.
With natural materials like wood, stone, and washi paper, plus a lineup of distinctive designer chairs, the interior is a refined, high-quality space.
Highlights include two suites with different atmospheres, newly added during the 2022 renovation.