Start
Start at the ferry pier
Turn right and walk along the seafront until you come to a gate and stone lantern, then turn left and into the shopping arcade
5 minutes
Omotesando Arcade
The busiest part of the island, here you will find shops selling souvenir crafts as well as local delicacies including grilled oysters and maple cakes.
Continue along the seafront to Itsukushima Shrine, passing the floating torii on your right
5 minutes
Itsukushima Shrine
Appearing to float over an inlet at the base of the sacred Mount Misen, Itsukushima Shrine is one of the most visually striking and culturally important shrines in the country
From the shrine's exit, cross the road and go up a flight of stone steps to the right of the treasure house. Walk around the Tahoto Pagoda, then continue along a wooded path to Daishoin Temple
10 minutes
Daisho-in Temple
Founded by Kobo Daishi, Daishoin Temple is one of the most important temples of Shingon Buddhism and features a number of buildings, statues and religious objects. Look out for a row of spinning metal cyclinders as you make your way up the temple steps - inscribed with Buddhist sutras, just turning them is said to provide the same benefit as reading them.
Double back to the river, cross over and follow the stone steps uphill to the summit of Mount Misen
90-120 minutes
Mount Misen
At 500 meters above sea level, Mount Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima. On clear days, it affords spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea and as far as Hiroshima City. There are also a number of Buddhist structures near the peak.
Make your way from the peak down to the ropeway station
20 minutes
Take the ropeway back down to the foot of the mountain
20 minutes
Momijidani Park
Largely untouched since the Edo Period, Momijidani Park boasts around 700 maple trees and is particularly beautiful in the autumn when their foliage erupts into reds, oranges and yellows, typically around mid November.
Walk back to Itsukushima Shrine and up the hill to the 5-storiedpagoda next to the shrine
5 minutes
Senjokaku Pavilion
Commissioned by the great warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and left unfinished after his death, the Senjokaku Pavilion ("thousand mat hall") was intended as a place for monks to copy sutras while surrounded by nature. Despite its simple exterior, the hall is famous for its views, the many paintings lining its roof beams and its iconic five storied pagoda.
Take the path to the left of the five story pagoda, turn left then immediately uphill to your right. Follow the path around, make your way through the town to the seafront, and keep going until you reach the ferry terminal.
15 minutes
Finish
