Mount Misen - Hiroshima, Japan

AsiaTrails

Feb 2

Written By Anne

Mount Misen rises above the popular island of Miyajima, offering a scenic and slightly more adventurous side to a visit that’s often centred around the iconic Itsukushima Shrine. I arrived on the island around 2 pm and spent some time wandering through the main areas before deciding to head up the mountain.

There are three main hiking routes to the summit: the Momijidani Course, Daisho-in Course, and Omoto Course. Each varies slightly in difficulty and scenery—Daisho-in is known for its views and more gradual incline, Momijidani is the shortest but steepest, and Omoto sits somewhere in between. No matter which route you take, it typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the top.

By the time I made the decision to go up, it was already late afternoon. I didn’t think I’d have enough time to hike up and back down before sunset, so I opted for the Miyajima Ropeway, which takes you partway up the mountain to around 400 metres. From there, I continued on foot.

The hike from the ropeway station was manageable, with a mix of stone steps and uneven terrain with large boulders. Along the way, I came across several temple structures connected to Daisho-in Temple, located at the base of the mountain. One of the most notable stops was the Reikado Hall, also known as the Hall of the Spiritual Flame. It’s believed that Kobo Daishi once performed a fire ritual here, creating a sacred flame that has been kept burning ever since. That same flame was later used to light the Flame of Peace in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, which adds a deeper layer of meaning to the site.

After taking some time to explore the temple area, I continued up toward the summit observatory. The structure itself is modern and well designed, with two levels that offer unobstructed panoramic views. From the top, you can see across Miyajima, out to the Seto Inland Sea, and even parts of Hiroshima in the distance. The surrounding rock formations add another interesting element to the landscape. I made a full loop around both levels, taking in each direction before heading up to the top floor to do it all again. The views were absolutely worth the effort.

After a short break and once I was satisfied with the photos, I began making my way back down toward the ropeway station. About halfway through, I started hearing announcements reminding visitors of the final ropeway departure time—otherwise, you’d have to hike all the way down. Luckily, I was already well on my way back, so there was no rush.

When I reached the station, I still had some time before the next car down, so I checked out the small observatory area nearby while I waited. It was a nice way to wind down after the hike.

I would have loved to hike from the base all the way up if I had more time. Next time, I’d plan to arrive earlier in the day to fully experience one of the main trails. Even with the limited time, though, the ropeway made it possible to see everything I wanted while still getting a bit of a hike in.

History & Background

Mount Misen (弥山) is the highest peak on Miyajima Island, standing at 535 metres, and has long been considered a sacred mountain in Japanese Buddhism. The mountain is closely associated with Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism, who is said to have established religious practices on the mountain over 1,200 years ago.

Many of the temple structures found along the trails are connected to Daisho-in Temple, one of the most important Buddhist temples in the region. The Reikado Hall’s eternal flame is particularly significant, symbolizing spiritual continuity and peace, especially through its connection to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park.

Today, Mount Misen remains both a spiritual site and a popular hiking destination, offering a combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and panoramic views.

Getting There

Mount Misen is located on Miyajima Island, which is accessible from Hiroshima. From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (approximately 25 minutes). From there, transfer to a ferry—either the JR West Miyajima Ferry or a private ferry service—to reach Miyajima Island in about 10 minutes.

Once on the island, visitors can either hike one of the three main trails to the summit or take the Miyajima Ropeway. The ropeway itself involves a short walk between two stations and brings visitors partway up the mountain, after which a 30–40 minute hike is required to reach the summit. Planning around the ropeway operating hours is important, especially for late afternoon visits.