About Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street is a 350-meter-long approach leading from Miyajima Pier to the World Heritage site, Itsukushima Shrine. While retaining the atmosphere of a temple town dating back to the Edo period, it boasts approximately 70 souvenir shops and restaurants, attracting over 4 million visitors annually.
The cobblestone path is lined with traditional townhouses, making it an attractive spot where you can enjoy Miyajima’s famous street food and crafts while enhancing your pilgrimage to Itsukushima Shrine.
Highlights of the Shopping Street
Street Food and Local Specialties
Grilled Oysters
A representative Miyajima delicacy. Several grilled oyster stalls line the shopping street, serving large oysters from Hiroshima Bay, grilled over charcoal for a fragrant aroma. They cost around 250-400 yen each, and you can enjoy them freshly grilled on the spot.
Deep-fried Momiji Manju
A new specialty: traditional momiji manju deep-fried in a tempura style. Its crispy exterior and moist interior are popular, and it comes in various flavors such as red bean paste, cream, and cheese.
Anago Meshi
Many long-established restaurants serve Miyajima’s famous anago meshi. This exquisite dish features plump grilled conger eel finished with a sweet and savory sauce.
Traditional Crafts and Souvenirs
- Miyajima Carving: A traditional craft with a history of approximately 200 years. Delicate carvings are applied to items such as rice paddles and trays.
- Momiji Manju: A Miyajima specialty confection that has been around since the Meiji era. Approximately 20 shops compete with their unique flavors.
- Miyajima Hariko: Local toys featuring motifs of deer and the Great Torii gate.
- Shamoji (Rice Paddle): A lucky charm said to have originated in Miyajima. Popular as a good luck charm for victory in competitions, as it is believed to “capture enemies.”
Points to Note When Visiting
Estimated Time Required for a Stroll
- If you just pass through: Approximately 10 minutes
- If you enjoy eating and walking around: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- If you include thorough shopping: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
We recommend planning with ample time, taking into account the time required to visit Itsukushima Shrine.
Recommended Way to Walk
- Early Morning: It is relatively uncrowded before 9 AM, allowing for a leisurely stroll.
- Weekday Visit: Weekends and holidays are extremely crowded, so weekdays are recommended if possible.
- Enjoy a Round Trip: It is efficient to walk towards Itsukushima Shrine on the way there and enjoy shopping and dining on the way back.
- Interacting with Deer: Many wild deer inhabit the area around the shopping street. Feeding the deer is prohibited, but photography is permitted.
Precautions
- Please dispose of your trash in the designated areas.
- Be careful not to show food to the deer, as they may snatch it.
- One-way traffic restrictions may be in place during crowded times.
Lucky Charm Spot
Business Prosperity & Increased Wealth
Omotesando Shopping Street has a history of flourishing as a temple town for Itsukushima Shrine. It is believed that visiting the shrine by walking through the shopping street brings blessings of business prosperity and increased wealth. The shamoji (rice paddle), originating from Miyajima, is particularly popular as a lucky charm symbolizing “scooping up good fortune.”
Luck in Competition & Prayer for Victory
The shamoji became a symbol of luck in competition after soldiers carried it as a charm during the First Sino-Japanese War, due to a pun on “capturing the enemy.” Many people visit before exams, job interviews, or sports matches.
Matchmaking and Fulfillment of Love
Walking the path leading to Itsukushima Shrine symbolizes preparing to forge a connection with the gods. Visiting as a couple and enjoying street food together may bring blessings for matchmaking and successful love.
Access Information
How to Get to Miyajima
Using the Ferry
- 5-minute walk from JR Miyajimaguchi Station or Hiroden Miyajimaguchi Station to Miyajimaguchi Pier
- Take the JR West Miyajima Ferry or Miyajima Matsudai Kisen (approx. 10 minutes)
- Fare: 180 yen one way, 360 yen round trip
- Operating frequency: Every 15-30 minutes (varies depending on the season)
Directions to the Shopping Street
After arriving at Miyajima Pier, walk approximately 3 minutes towards the main torii gate to reach the entrance of Omotesando Shopping Street. It’s approximately a 10-15 minute walk from the pier to Itsukushima Shrine through the shopping street.
Opening Hours
- Individual Shops: Generally 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Varies by shop)
- Closed Days: Varies by shop (Many shops have irregular closing days)
- Evenings: Most shops close around 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, so early visits are recommended for day trips.
Nearby Facilities
- Itsukushima Shrine: 10-minute walk
- Daishoin Temple: 15-minute walk
- Miyajima Aquarium (Miyajima Marine): 20-minute walk
- Misen Ropeway Station: 25-minute walk
Summary
Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street is not just a passageway, but a spot that encapsulates the essence of Miyajima sightseeing. Enjoying local specialties such as grilled oysters and fried momiji manju, and browsing traditional crafts, while building anticipation for Itsukushima Shrine, is an important part of visiting Miyajima. Enjoy a leisurely stroll while hoping to receive blessings such as business prosperity and good fortune in competitions.
