I meant to write about my trip to Miyajima Island a very long time ago. Like…12 years ago. Over the years, I just never found the confidence, and I’ve regretted it for a long time. So here it finally is – at least, with a focus on the natural side of things. I didn’t want this to get too long, so I’m going to write a few short posts under different themes.
I’ve consulted some newer blogs to see if the things I experienced are still around, but all of these pictures in this post are taken by me from 12 years ago.
Why is Miyajima Island Famous?
The Floating Torii
There’s a few reasons that this island is famous! Number one is the floating Torii. According to this blog, it’s the only one of its kind in the world. And from my experience, it was definitely worth visiting in person.
And while this is technically a built structure, it felt more like I was interacting with something natural.
Being able to get up close when the tide is out, but then having to view from afar when its in, is almost like experiencing the seasons. Just like there are certain things you don’t do in winter (wear a t-shirt outside), you can’t walk up to it when the tide is in. The water gets too deep. So the Torii almost has a cycle of it’s own, every day. The environment around it is always changing.
The reason it’s called the floating torii is because when the tide is in, it makes it look like it’s floating on the water. It’s especially enchanting at night.
But when the tide is out, you can walk right up to it. There are steps that lead down from the shoreline. It’s deceptively small from a distance. As I got walked closer and closer, it got so big that it felt surreal to stand next to it (see the people in the photo below). Also: wear good shoes. It’s still pretty muddy even though the tide is far out!
Floating Torii Superstition
Another cool thing – at least back in 2012 – was the superstitious belief that if you can throw a rock up onto the first horizontal support, then something special will happen. I think…a wish would be granted? But I can’t find anyone else writing about it now, and I forget where I read it back then. There must be a sign near the Torii.
Many people were trying it when I was there, although I’m unsure if it’s still allowed since they’ve done (and completed) restorations as of 2022.
Fresh Seafood from Low Tide
Another cool thing about the tides going out is that many people from the local restaurants go out and collect ingredients for their offerings later that night. Fresh ingredients. I don’t know if they still do it, but this is what I saw and was told back when I was there. I took a walk out around them because I wanted to see what the seafloor was like, and sure enough there was a lot of different sea-life left behind. This is how I saw my first starfish in person (remember: DO NOT TOUCH STARFISH)!
Daishoin Temple
Another reason Miyajima island is famous is because of the Daishoin Temple. Supposedly, there’s a flame that was lit by the famous pilgrim monk Kukai that has been burning continuously ever since.
Plus, if you’re hoping to do the Shikoku Pilgrimage one day, too, then this temple is considered an unofficial 89th temple stop because of the association with Kukai (and Koyasan is considered an unofficial 90th stop). So while it’s not on the island of Shikoku, the connection is still there and some pilgrims come here because of it.
Plus…the nature surrounding it is GORGEOUS. Before reaching the base of the mountain, you walk past a bunch of rocks and tiny waterfalls, all surrounded by trees and little statues.
Natural Things to do in Miyajima
Miyajima Public Aquarium
This is something I thought about visiting when I was there, but my other plans took too much time. It sounds like it has a lot of different sea life for people to visit and learn about (some even local!), with many events going on at different times. Plus, it’s a long walk from the ferry dock, so you’ll get to see a lot on the way over to it!
Check out their flyer (from their website) here.
Hike Mount Misen
As one can probably guess, I took the Daishoin path up the mountain. Quite honestly, I hadn’t really researched much about it. I just knew I wanted to climb the mountain while I was there (it was the reason I chose the island), and that it was possible. So while my Ryokan held onto my bags, I went walking through town towards the base of the mountain. Eventually I saw signs, and stumbled across Daishoin temple, and the Daishoin path.
I really liked this path, and was shocked that they had built steps up most of the way. There were one or two spots where it was just a dirt path.
I didn’t get pictures of those spots as I ended up feeling pretty winded by the time I came across them. My weight back then was about 220lbs and I was not in shape AT ALL. This was my first time doing something like this, and I probably only made it because I was determined and felt like my soul needed it. Someone even fat-shamed me halfway up – the only other hiker I saw. But I didn’t realise it at the time and kept going. Passive aggressive comments suck.
Main takeaway: Please prepare well ahead of time! Take water with you, take a small snack with you, go to the bathroom ahead of time, dress for the weather, and practice on stair machines at the gym. There is a section of this path that has a sheer drop, and it does not have guard rails. So you need to make sure you’re in good condition! It only takes about two hours, but that’s still a lot of work that your body is doing.
Because I was there in April, I think this trail was a lot nicer to me than it could have been. During the rainy season, it might be a little more difficult to do. There is one section that looked like there could be a lot of water flowing through it if it were to rain, but it was dry when I was there.
View Cherry Blossoms
My official reason for going to Japan was to see the cherry blossoms. And I got really lucky with my timing – I saw them in almost every place I visited while I was there in early April. It was a gamble that paid off, because cherry blossom season is different every year AND only lasts about a week. So if you only have limited time, you pretty much have to guess and hope to get lucky.
On Miyajima Island there aren’t as many cherry blossoms as in other places, but there were enough that my heart felt happy. So if you’re also going to Japan for cherry blossom season but worried about missing them in other places by making a trip here: don’t worry. There’s plenty on the island, and they’re beautiful!
The Local Deer
They’re everywhere on Miyajima Island, and they wander around as if they don’t care about built structures! You never know when you might run into one, or see one. They’re also super friendly and cute. One walked right up to me and stuck her nose out towards me (probably searching for loose food).
But as I was told by a local, PLEASE DO NOT FEED THEM. Some blogs like this one theorize that because they don’t get fed, they don’t get aggressive. So it would be nice to keep that vibe on the island. I know I appreciated the encounter. I had never seen a deer so close before. So it would be nice if future visitors got to experience the same thing!
Is Miyajima Worth It?
In my opinion? Yes. I wish I would have spent more time here, and I’ve wanted to go back ever since I left. Island life is always different from mainland life, but Miyajima Island had an extra special vibe to it. Despite the built areas, it felt like I was only steps away from something natural. Either water, trees, the deer, sea life, or the mountain itself – nature was always easy to find, and always gorgeous.