Let's get to know Miyajima more deeply

Miyajima Advanced

After clearing the beginner level, challenge to the advanced level! Miyajima is an island that has been worshipped since ancient times as a sacred island. Not only Itsukushima Shrine, but power spots are everywhere. Furthermore, there are unknown backsides of Miyajima and anecdotes... Let us introduce the wonders of Miyajima

Why is Miyajima the island where gods dwell

The whole island is a power spot!

Miyajima, which has Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site, is also called the island where the sacred dwells. There is a secret in “Itsukushima,” which is the name of the island. Itsukushima has the meaning of an island that purifies the mind and body and serves the gods. In the past, the entire island was thought to be a goshintai, a place where gods dwell.

[Featured column] Two names “Miyajima” and “Itsukushima”

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Actually, it is said that the name “Miyajima” came from the past when it was called “the island (jima) where the Shrine (miya) is located,”, moreover at this time, the name of the island written on maps was “Itsukushima”.

Currently, “Miyajima” is widely used, but there is no definition of proper use, and those two place names still coexist.

Actually, Miyajima used to be a place like this! Miyajima, past and present

Omotesando is crowded with many people on holidays and large consecutive holidays

The soft light of warm colors reminds me of what it used to be

The main street of Miyajima was Machiya Street!

Omotesando is the main street where tourists pass when heading from Miyajima Pier to Itsukushima Shrine. The street is lined with restaurants and souvenir shops, and it is bustling every day. However, in fact, this street began to flourish during the period of rapid growth in Japan. Until then, Machiya-dori Street on the Ipponyamate side was the main street. Around the middle of the Edo period, there were many red-light districts lined up, and there were also movie theaters in the Showa period... Today's Machiya-dori Street is a living road for people living in Miyajima.

The back side of Miyajima... do you know?

Remains of war on the island where the gods live

Go right with Miyajima pier in the direction of Itsukushima Shrine. After walking for about 40 minutes to the left, there is the Tsutsumigaura Beach, which is crowded with many people in the summer. However, I think there are not many people who know what can be find further away. The remains of the Takanosu battery, which are the scars of the war, are quietly asleep there. It was built during the Russo-Japanese War and is said to have been one of the Hiroshima Bay Fortresses. By the way, there is also the Murohama battery site on the west side of Miyajima, exactly opposite to the Takanosu battery site.

Mysterious spots in Miyajima

Daisho-in, an ancient temple in Miyajima

An indelible fire that hasn't been extinguished for over 1200 years

Guide you to a mysterious world

There are many mysterious spots in Miyajima. Here are two of them. First of all, Daisho-in is the head temple of the Shingon sect Omuro school, which has a history of 1200 years and has the deepest history among the temples in Miyajima. Under the Daishido in the precincts, “Hensho Cave” is a sand stepping dojo where the principal images of 88 places in Shikoku are enshrined. It is said that if you go around the front of the principal image, you can get the same benefits as visiting 88 places in Shikoku. Next, the Reikado of Mt. Misen continues from Daisho-in Temple. There is an “indelible fire” that has been burning for over 1200 years. It is also the source of the “Peace Light” of the Peace Memorial Park.

How do I go to Miyajima from Yamaguchi prefecture?

Actually, it's more convenient from Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport!

If you are going to Miyajima by plane from outside the prefecture, did you know that Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport is actually closer than Hiroshima Airport? From Hiroshima Airport, take the Limousine Bus, transfer to JR at Hiroshima Station, get off at JR Miyajimaguchi, and take a ferry to Miyajima Port in about 90 minutes. From Kataya Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, take the Iwakuni Bus, transfer to JR at Iwakuni Station, get off at JR Miyajimaguchi, and take a ferry to Miyajima Port in about 45 minutes. It takes about half the time to arrive at Miyajima.