Mount Misen (Miyajima)

UNESCO World Heritage

弥山（宮島）

Mount Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima, standing 535 meters above sea level. The whole island is considered sacred, and worship on the mountain is said to have been started by Kobo Daishi in 806. From the observation rest area near the top, rebuilt in 2013, you can sit and look out over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. The Misen Primeval Forest is part of the Itsukushima Shrine World Heritage area. You can hike up or use the ropeway for part of the way.

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Visitor information

Opening hours

Miyajima Ropeway: listed hours 9:00–16:00, with the last return at 16:30.

Closed

The ropeway stops in bad weather (strong winds, thunderstorms, etc.) and for maintenance twice a year (around February and July).

Admission

Ropeway, ordinary fare: adults (12 and over) 2,000 yen round trip / 1,100 yen one way; children (6–12) 1,000 / 550 yen.

Getting there

About 25 minutes on foot from Miyajima Pier to Momijidani Ropeway Station; a free shuttle bus also runs from the entrance of Momijidani Park.

From Shishiiwa Station (top of the ropeway), walk about 30 minutes to the summit.

Time needed

Round trip from Momijidani Station to the top of Mt. Misen takes about one hour or more.

Hiking from Miyajima Pier to the summit takes about 2 hours.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Wear hiking boots or other comfortable footwear.

Tips for Muslim visitors

Walking from the ropeway's Shishiiwa Station to the summit of Mt. Misen takes about 30 minutes, so plan your prayer times around it.
On Miyajima, the TOTO Miyajima Omotenashi Restroom (about 6 minutes on foot from Miyajima Port) has a multi-purpose room on the 2nd floor that can be used for prayer; tell the staff if you want to use it.
Halal-certified sweets are sold on Miyajima: Yamadaya sells packs of 10 halal-certified momiji-manju, and its shakushi-senbei are halal-certified.
Natural sites may have few facilities. Bring water, a travel prayer mat and a qibla app, and check the weather; mountains and lakes can be much colder than the city.
Restrooms for wudu can be far apart on trails. Many Muslim travellers carry a small water bottle for wudu.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Hiroshima and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.