Mount Misen

弥山

Miyajima's highest peak. A cable car and hike take you to the summit, with views over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. The mountain also houses the Kiezu no Hi, a flame said to have burned for 1,200 years.

Mount Misen is the main peak of Miyajima, rising to 535 m. It has long been regarded as a sacred mountain. In 806, Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) founded a sacred training site here. Near the summit, the Reikado hall houses the "Undying Flame" (Kiezu no Hi), said never to have gone out since that time. The flame for Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima was taken from here.

Getting up: From the exit of Itsukushima Shrine, walk through Momijidani Park (about 200 maple trees, famous for autumn foliage in mid to late November, and the most tranquil corner of Miyajima) to Momijidani Station of the Miyajima Ropeway. Take two cable car sections: a circulating small-cabin system followed by a reciprocating large-cabin system. The ride takes about 15 minutes. One-way is ¥1,100, and round-trip is ¥2,000. You will arrive at Shishiiwa Station, where the Shishiiwa Observatory nearby offers views over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. From Shishiiwa to the summit is another 30-minute walk on mountain paths with steps and undulations. The route passes Reikado, the Misen Hondo, and the Kuguri-iwa (Tunnel Rock), a formation of boulders you crawl through. The summit observation deck, a wooden platform built in 2013, offers a 360-degree panorama over Miyajima, Hiroshima city, Nōmi Island and even toward Shikoku. It is one of the best viewpoints on the Seto Inland Sea.

For fit visitors, descending on foot is an option: the Daisho-in route (about 1.5 hours, passing Daisho-in temple) or the Momijidani route (about 1.5 hours). Both are well-maintained stone-step trails.

Time needed: Round-trip by cable car plus summit visit takes about 2.5–3 hours. A full hike takes about 4 hours.

Notes: The path from Shishiiwa Station to the summit is fairly strenuous for older people and young children, so wear sneakers and bring water. The last cable car runs between 4:30 and 5:30 pm depending on season. Allow at least one hour to return from the summit, or you will have to walk down if you miss the last car. Cable cars stop in strong winds and thunderstorms. During autumn foliage season, cable car queues often exceed one hour, so buy tickets in advance at Miyajimaguchi near the pier or go up early in the morning. Most shops on the island close early in the evening. If you want to see the great torii at night, check the last ferry time (about 10 pm).

Mount Misen

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Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby