Miyajima Island

Miyajima (宮島), formally Itsukushima Island, is a sacred island in Hiroshima Bay revered since ancient times as a dwelling place of gods, where the entire island was considered so holy that commoners were forbidden to give birth, die, or cut trees on its soil. Today, the island remains largely forested and undeveloped, with Itsukushima Shrine's floating torii gate and vermillion shrine buildings as its most famous landmarks, but Miyajima's appeal extends beyond the shrine — wild sika deer roam freely (considered sacred messengers of the gods), maple-filled valleys blaze red in autumn, and Mt. Misen's summit offers spiritual and natural rewards.

The island's compact town area (Miyajima-cho) clusters around the ferry terminal and shrine approach, lined with traditional shops selling momiji manju (maple leaf-shaped cakes filled with red bean paste or custard), grilled oysters (kaki, Hiroshima's famous delicacy), and local crafts like wooden shamoji rice paddles (Miyajima is Japan's largest producer). Wandering the back streets reveals temples, pagodas, and centuries-old merchant houses, while forest trails lead to Daishoin Temple (大聖院), Shingon Buddhism's historic training ground with thousands of Buddhist statues and lanterns. The island's natural beauty, spiritual atmosphere, friendly deer, and culinary treats create a multifaceted experience blending pilgrimage, nature, culture, and gastronomy — making Miyajima one of Japan's 'Three Most Scenic Views' alongside Matsushima and Amanohashidate.

The island changes character noticeably depending on when you arrive. By mid-morning, ferries disgorge steady streams of day-trippers onto Omotesando street, and the approach to the shrine can feel genuinely crowded during peak seasons; but visitors who stay overnight discover a different Miyajima once the last boat departs — shops shutter, the crowds vanish, and the shrine's torii gate is illuminated against the dark water, with only a handful of ryokan guests and the resident deer wandering the quiet lanes. Ryokan and small inns on the island lean into this contrast, often serving kaiseki dinners built around Setouchi seafood and the prefecture's famous oysters, and many overlook the bay toward the mainland mountains. Even a short stroll away from the main shrine approach reveals a quieter island: narrow backstreets with century-old wooden facades, small shrines tucked into hillsides, and glimpses of the working fishing harbor that predates the tourist economy by centuries, all of it still within easy walking distance of the ferry terminal.