Miyajima Island, Japan

Saras serves exquisite Japanese cuisine with a focus on Hiroshima-style oysters, which arrive plump, fresh, and perfectly grilled with a fragrant soy and butter glaze. The dining room overlooks a tranquil garden, creating an atmosphere that feels both celebratory and serene. Every dish is thoughtfully composed and presented with the kind of artistry that makes a meal feel like a memorable occasion.

Kakiya is one of the most celebrated spots on the island for Hiroshima oysters, which are among the finest and most famous shellfish in all of Japan. The menu is refreshingly focused, allowing each preparation to shine whether steamed, grilled, fried, or served raw on the half shell. Sitting near the waterfront here with a plate of oysters and a cold local beer is one of Miyajima's true simple pleasures.

This beloved shop is the place to try momiji manju, the iconic maple leaf-shaped cakes filled with sweet red bean paste that are synonymous with Miyajima. They are best eaten warm, straight from the bakery, as you stroll along the main shopping street toward the shrine. The shop also offers creative modern fillings like matcha, custard, and chocolate for those who enjoy a playful twist on tradition.

Fujitaya is a warm and welcoming family restaurant that has been serving hearty anago donburi, a local specialty of conger eel over rice, for generations. The eel is slow-roasted until tender and lacquered with a rich savory-sweet sauce that has been perfected over decades of practice. It is a soul-satisfying meal that connects you to the culinary traditions of this remarkable island.

Iwaso is Miyajima's oldest and most beloved ryokan, nestled among maple trees along a quiet stream. Guests sleep on traditional futons in elegant tatami rooms and wake to the sound of birdsong and flowing water. The inn's kaiseki dinners showcase the finest local seafood and seasonal mountain vegetables in a deeply nourishing way.

This gracious waterfront hotel offers stunning views of the Itsukushima Shrine and the famous floating torii gate from many of its well-appointed rooms. Traditional Japanese hospitality is woven into every detail, from the welcome tea ceremony to the elaborate morning breakfast spread. It is a wonderful choice for travelers who want comfort and culture in equal measure.

Kikugawa is a charming and intimate guesthouse tucked into the quieter backstreets of Miyajima, offering a peaceful retreat after a day of exploring. The owners are warm and attentive, always ready with local tips and a friendly smile over morning tea. Rooms are simple yet beautifully kept, blending traditional wooden furnishings with a cozy homey atmosphere.

This budget-friendly inn is a fantastic option for travelers who want to experience the island's magic without overspending on accommodation. Clean, comfortable rooms with traditional touches make it feel far more special than its modest price suggests. Staying overnight here means you get to enjoy the island after the day-trip crowds have left, which is truly a rare gift.

Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with its brilliant vermilion corridors seeming to float above the sea at high tide. Wandering its elevated wooden walkways with the gentle sound of waves below and mountains behind is a deeply moving and almost otherworldly experience. Visiting both at high tide and low tide reveals two entirely different and equally breathtaking faces of this sacred place.

A hike or ropeway ride to the summit of Mount Misen rewards visitors with panoramic views across the Seto Inland Sea that stretch all the way to Hiroshima on clear days. Ancient cedar forests line the trails and several small shrines and sacred rocks dot the path, giving the mountain a deeply spiritual atmosphere. At the summit, a sacred flame said to have burned continuously for over 1,200 years still flickers inside a stone lantern house.

Daisho-in is a magnificent Buddhist temple complex at the foot of Mount Misen, filled with an extraordinary collection of statues, prayer wheels, stone lanterns, and sacred relics from across the Buddhist world. The approach up the stone staircase is lined with hundreds of small stone Jizo figures wearing hand-knitted hats, each one placed there as an offering of devotion and prayer. It is quieter and less visited than the famous shrine, making it a genuine hidden treasure of the island.

The great orange torii gate standing in the shallow waters just offshore from Itsukushima Shrine is arguably the most photographed sight in all of Japan and it earns every bit of that attention. At high tide it appears to float serenely on the surface of the sea, reflecting brilliantly in the calm water below, while at low tide visitors can walk right up to its enormous ancient pillars. Watching the sun set behind the gate while the sky turns shades of pink and gold is a moment that stays with you long after you leave the island.