180330 Miyajima Island

Itsukushima, also known as Miyajima, is a small island in Hiroshima Bay, western Japan. It is known for its forests and ancient temples. Mt Misen 535 meters above sea level, is another must visit place when we visit Miyajima Island. Just offshore, the giant, orange Great Torii Gate is partially submerged at high tide. It marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which was first built in the 12th century.
I must say, the highlight of this trip is not the Tori Gate. The trip to Mt Misen is a trip that we will never forget.

When we visited the Island, it was about 10 plus in the morning. Clear water surrounds the shrine. The Tori gate was submerged in the water

The Town just a few step from the ferry station is already crowded with tourist. However, you will be surprised that most of the restaurant were not open. You can only find a couple of snacks shops. 

The most common snack shop or bakery you can find is the miyajima cake. You find quite a number of bakery displaying their automatic cake making process via the glass windows to attract customers.

Tourist, tour groups were rushing and queuing to enter buy ticket to enter the shrine. We did not join the crowd and decided to explore the island.

Honestly it is nice looking at shrines and enjoying sakura during spring.

Be prepared to climb and steep walking when you visit Miyajima. We would want to visit Mt Misen. Tio get to Mt Misen, we also need to walk steep slopes to get to the ropeway station.

The kind of queue that we need to wait. 30mins

From my last few journeys in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi, the most important thing when we travel to anywhere, remember to check the last bus, last train, for this case the last ferry.

Bear in mind, the ropeway only leads you to the station. We need to hike down and up to the peak of Mt Misen

We took this cable cars to travel up the mountain

Then we need to change to the ropeway to reach the rope way station on the mountain top

The view on top of the mountain - not the peak of Mt Misen yet. Just next to the ropeway station. It is already so awesome.

Then we need to hike down steep slope and up the trail

This sign is encouraging. Do you know 0.7km is like climbing 10 km?

After some steep climbs, we reach this temple. There is a water dispenser where a note said "There is no water uphill". So if we need water, better buy here....

Everyone continue to climb uphill

We need to reach this place, walk under the stone and finally, we reach the peak. 535 meter above sea level. Mt Misen.

The view is unbeatable

Now it is time to hide down the mountaina. We realised it is more difficult to descent than to ascend

Honestly, if we take the ropeway down, we will not be able to enjoy these natural scenery.

Water fall. Real tall

Natural spring river, clear water. You can see deers wondering around too

nearer to the mountain food, we were also greeted with these streams. So beautiful

By then, The Tori Gate at 4.30pm. At low tide, everyone can walk around it.

The ferry that ferry us to the Island. It can take in drive in cars too.

We were lucky that it did not rain that day. However, it was very dusty due to its dry weather with plenty of tourist. Walking makes it more dusty too.

Restaurants do not operate at 10 plus in the morning. Also, at 4pm plus, you see them already close. It is the same when we reach the mainland. Practically all restaurants were closed. 

How to get there

Take Tram number 2 from Hiroshima Station. The tram operate like a local JR train. Alight at the last station. Which is just outside the Ferry Station.

Take a Ferry to Miyajima Island.

Just follow the signage and you will never get lost.

The tram and ferry cost are covered under the Hiroshima Tourist Pass.

This tourist pass allow us to have unlimited travel within Hiroshima city including Miyajima Island excluding ropeway cost.