With fast and regular train services like the Shinkasen, both Miyajima and Hiroshima could be visited as a day trip from Osaka, Kyoto or even Tokyo if one started the day really early and end the day really late. I prefer my holidays to be slow and relaxing. Hence I planned my itinerary to include a stay in Miyajima. Staying overnight in Miyajima was an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.
Why should you stay overnight in Miyajima?
A day trip would only allow a typical visitor to spend a few hours on the island, having travel long distances to get here. Within the few hours, they would snap some photos of the iconic floating torii gate, interact with the deers and maybe do a bit of walking and sample some local cuisine along the Omotesando shopping street. While that in itself is enjoyable, what they would be missing is the magical, peaceful, quiet part of the Miyajima in the late evening and early morning or taking a hike along one of the hiking trails up to Mount Misen.
Another reason why you should stay in Miyajima is to experience a ryokan stay and enjoy one of the best kaiseki dinner served up at the Mizuha-so ryokan.
Mizuha-so is not very big, with a total of 5 rooms located on the second and third floors. We stayed on the 2nd Floor, in a Japanese style room with size of 10 tatami mats, air conditioning, TV with satellite program, Japanese night clothes, toiletries and bath items. Our room has attached toilets but no shower or bath. We had to shower and bath in a shared bath located on the second floor. A little basket was thoughtfully provided to allow us to carry our belongings, bath items and change of clothes to the shared bathroom on the second floor.
There are 2 baths at Mizuha-so that each group can use privately. Since there were not many guests, the bathrooms were available when needed.
Like a typical Japanese bathroom, it came with a shower area with all the bath items and a big tub. Unfortunately, the plug at the bottom of the huge round metal tub was missing and we could only take a shower and not a soak in the bath tub.
After a refreshing hot shower, dinner was served in the dining room on the ground floor. Besides our group of 2 couples, there was only one other couple.
The dinner is Japanese-style multi course meal with Setouchi fish. The menu included: Hors d'oeuvre, Sashimi (sliced raw fish), Boiled fish and vegetable, Baked dish, Steak, Tempura, Sushi, Soup, Rice, Dessert etc. The actual dishes served depended on the seasons. I lost track of what I was eating after a few courses but every dish served up was awesome.
The Hors d'oeuvre included prawn with mashed sweet potato, smoked duck with tiny bits of mustard and a small cup of rice wine.
The sashimi was so well presented and included a fish known as the half-beak, tuna, squid. Full marks for presentation and full marks for the freshness and taste of the seafood.
The chef took pride in his creations and we could see him peeping at us from the kitchen. We gave him the thumbs up and he was happy that we were enjoying every dish that was served up.
Everyone in my group enjoyed the dinner very much. We were then served a hot drink of choice after the exquisite and filling multi-course meal.
The proprietress at the Mizuha-so urged us to do a night time stroll around the waterfront of Miyajima after dinner. That was in our plan anyway and it was magical.
Lanterns lit the path near the seaside and we could see the brightly lit “Floating” Torii Gate and its reflection shimmering in the water.
There was a boat bringing visitors for a night cruise around the Torii Gate and it was disturbing the calm water, creating ripples and waves. The boat finally left and I could take better pictures of the Torii Gate with its reflection on the water.
The Itsukushima Shrine and the Five Story Pagoda were also beautifully lit at night.
We walked around the shrine to get to the other side of the inlet and see the Floating Torii Gate from a different angle. None of the residents deer were seen. Only a few visitors were walking around like us, enjoying the night stroll in the calm and windless night. If only it was a starry starry night. Everything would had been perfect.
Tip: it is advisable to book a ryokan or hotel with full board meal plan when staying in Miyajima as food options were limited at night. Mizuha-so ryokan serves excellent meals and offers visitors a ryokan experience.
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