⛩️ Day 7: Arrival at the Sacred Island of Miyajima
After completing our One Piece quest in Kumamoto, we headed north to experience one of Japan’s most iconic views.
📦 Logistics Perfection
We arrived at our base, the Miyajima Coral Hotel, before 5:00 PM.
The Ta-Q-Bin Joy: It was such a relief to find our suitcases waiting for us at the reception! Thanks to the forwarding service from Kyoto two days prior, we were able to enjoy Kumamoto with just our backpacks.
Location Hack: The hotel is perfectly located right next to the ferry pier, making the 10-minute crossing to the island incredibly easy.
⛴️ Crossing to the Island (Late Afternoon)
We jumped on the ferry immediately to catch the golden hour. As soon as you step off the boat, you’ll meet the Sika Deer. They are wild but very calm.
Warning: They are professional scavengers! Keep a tight grip on your maps, snacks, or paper bags, as they will try to eat them.
Then we grabbed a coffee at the Miyajima Starbucks and watched the sunset. Seeing the sky turn fire-orange behind the Great Torii gate with a warm coffee in hand is a core memory.
🌙 Evening Exploration
We explored the island's stone lantern-lit streets until dark. The atmosphere becomes incredibly peaceful once the day-trippers leave.
Watch the Clock: If you are staying on the mainland like we did, keep an eye on the last ferry time so you don't get stranded!
Dinner: We headed back for a relaxed dinner at the hotel restaurant—a perfect end to a long travel day.
🏮 Day 8: The Two Faces of Miyajima
We returned to the island the next morning to discover a completely different landscape.
🌊 The Tide Contrast (Fun Fact)
Miyajima is famous for its dramatic tides, and seeing both is essential:
The Evening Before: At high tide, the Great Torii appears to float majestically on the sea.
The Next Morning: At low tide, the water recedes completely. We were able to walk out onto the sand and stand directly beneath the massive Torii gate. You only realize how giant it truly is when you are standing right under it!
Pro-Tip: Check the "Miyajima Tide Table" online before you go to plan your photos.
✨ Daisho-in Temple: Our Hidden Gem
While most people stick to the famous Itsukushima Shrine on the water, the Daisho-in Temple was an amazing discovery. It is a 15-minute walk uphill and feels like a secret world.
The path is lined with hundreds of small stone statues, each wearing a unique hand-knitted colorful hat and having a different facial expression.
The Prayer Wheels: As you climb the stairs, you can spin the metal cylinders engraved with sutras. It is said that spinning them grants the same spiritual merit as reading the texts.
⛰️ Mount Misen & Nature
For those with extra energy, you can hike to the summit of the island (about 1.5 to 2 hours) or take the ropeway. We chose to focus our time on the spiritual atmosphere of Daisho-in instead, but the hike is a great option for nature lovers!
💡 The "Gem" Treat of Miyajima:
Do not leave without trying Momiji Manju! These are maple-leaf-shaped cakes unique to the island. They are filled with red bean, custard, or chocolate. Getting them fresh and warm from a street vendor is a must-do experience.
