Summit views
The Seto Inland Sea islands.
dconvertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Sjaak Kempe from Groningen, The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · dconvertini — CC BY-SA 2.0 · kyokyo — CC BY-SA 3.0 · PekePON — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Maarten Heerlien from Voorschoten, The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Daderot — CC0
The sacred mountain of Itsukushima (Miyajima) and its highest peak at 535 metres, within the World Heritage area of Itsukushima Shrine. The whole island and the sea around it lie within Setonaikai National Park, and a protected primeval forest covers its northern slopes. The monk Kūkai is said to have visited the mountain in 806, and it has drawn pilgrims since ancient times, its trails lined with halls, small shrines, stone statues and huge boulders tied to legends known as the Seven Wonders of Misen. The summit and its observatory look out over the Seto Inland Sea and its many scattered islands, with Hiroshima on the horizon, at their finest on clear days and in autumn. Visitors take the ropeway (about 1,100 yen one way and 2,000 yen return, per visitor guides) and then walk about 30 minutes to the summit, or climb the whole way on one of three trails, each taking an hour and a half to two hours per visitor guides. Parts of the trails are steep, so comfortable shoes and water are essential; mind the last ropeway down.
The Seto Inland Sea islands.
Over the forest.
Misen's wonders.
Centre of Miyajima island
Take the ropeway and walk about 30 minutes to the summit, or hike one of three trails taking an hour and a half to two hours each. A return ropeway ticket is about 2,000 yen per visitor guides.
