Majestic Island of Miyajima

Posted on June 29, 2007 by Maria Cohrs Jonckheere

During a recent trip to Hiroshima, I had the opportunity to visit the intriguing island of Miyajima (means “Shrine Island”) located just a short distance by ferry between Iwakuni and Hiroshima in western Honshu. Home to the well known floating Torii gate and the Itsukushima-jinja shrine, this island is considered one of the most captivating places in the country as well as officially one of the most beautiful. So much so that Confucian scholar named Shunsai Hayashi made it official in 1643. Any day or a few days spent on this historical 12 square mile island will be well worth your time.

A simple train ride from Iwakuni brought me to the small town of Miyashimaguchi where I was able to catch the ferry to the island in about ten minutes. While only a quick jaunt to reach the island, the ferry ride also provided scenic views of both mainland and the island. The Torii gate can be seen as you approach Miyajima and marks the entrance to this sacred island. One of the many interesting aspects of the island is that it is home to wild deer which walk around or can even be seen wandering into shops on some attempts, also allowing visitors to pet them.

An island of shines and temples, Miyajima is home to Itsukushima, which is considered the island's most important ShintoThe traditional animistic belief system of Japan. It was the official state religion of Japan until the postwar period. shrine and in 1996, was inscribed on the World Heritage List. The shrine was originally built in the 6th century by Saeki Kuramoto though rebuilt many times over since then. It was regarded as a favorite by the Taira clan, a well known family in Japan who also declared Miyajima a holy island.

Also located on Miyajima is Misen San (Mt. Misen) which reaches 530 meters (1739 feet) and provides splendid views of islands in the vicinity. At Misen San’s summit, you find a few small temples and a restaurant. For those of you enthusiasts, there are paths to follow through the forest though a cable car also provides efficient transport to the top.

This captivating island is definitely a must-see not only for its history, culture and architecture but also for its peaceful serenity. The physical beauty alone allures many visitors to Miyajima and once there, the island provides a plethora of sites which should not be missed.