Miyajimaguchi- all the things you must do at Itksukushima

Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588, Japan

I bought the round trip ticket (JPY2,100) at Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Ferry Terminal which includes the cable car ride and off we go to Itksukushima. 

This is the most memorable of the entire trip and you can really spend an entire day here. We arrive at 9 am and end up leaving at 5.30 pm. It was a mad rush back to our next destination at Beppu but i feel the time we spend here is well worth it. 

Must do things here: 

1) Have the fried maple leaf snack (momiji manju) from Momijido Nibanya. It comes in different flavours and i had most of them. All are tasty!

2) Enjoy a oyster meal at Yakigaki No Hayashi. We reached when they are almost closing so we are ushered in real fast and food is served fast also. 

We had the itsukushima meal set, included in the set are raw oysters, fried oysters and rice with oysters. 

The oyster are local and are huge. While plump, fresh, briny and clean. Not as sweet as i preferred but still decent. 

We also ordered chicken karaage meal set and well as ala carte vegetable tempura. 

3) Chase after the deers on the island but avoid them when you are eating. They will snatch your food. I didn't expect so many deers and at such close proximity. Really cute and chill until you eat in front of them.

4) Visit itksukushima Jinga (temple) and take a picture of the iconic Torii Gate.

First built in latter half of the sizth century, itsukushima shrine was remodeled in 1168. About 200 meter in front of the main shrineis the vermilion )-Torii (Grand Gate) which is the most striking symbol of Miyajima. 

5) Revisit and touch the Torrii Gate at low tide

6) Take the cable car ride up to Shishiiwa observatory. The 2nd part of the ride is breath taking. The views are great on a sunny day. 

Miyajimaguchi: Anagomeshi Ueno - the conger eel that you supposed to try

Anagomeshi Ueno

1 Chome-5-11 Miyajimaguchi, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0411, Japan

This is our first time having conger eel. Hubs is super eager as he loves unagi very much. We were kind of worried as its quite late and this place is known to be very popular. We were one of the last customers and it was a decent meal.

The eel comes with a green condiment which i originally thought was dried wasabi but it wasn't. It was a green pepper powder.  Do give it a taste as its quite interesting and numbing. 

I ordered the small size while hubs ordered the large size anago - meshi (glaze grilled conger eel). The eel has a very charred smoky taste like it has been smoked for a while and drier than the regular eel we are used to. 

I thought the taste quite unique while hubs wasn't too impressed with the taste. He state that he would have preferred the sweeter and fatter eel that we eat. Overall, its a should try for conger eel. If there is better alternatives, you have something else. 

A day in Hiroshima - Atomic bomb dome

1-10 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0051, Japan

We will only be at Hiroshima for short time and with our luggage in tow, thinking we can leave our luggage at the train station luggage storage. But alas, its full. Fortunately, there is another location in short walking distance we can keep luggage for the day. 

The atomic bomb dome is the only place we visited. The place is a very tranquil and is next to a river and forms part of the Hiroshima Peach Memorial park. This place was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996. This dome was previously the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall.

Its a easy trip from the main Hiroshima train station. There a few buses/tram that heads to the atomic bomb dome. We stayed for a short while before returning to the train station to head to our hotel for the day. 

Miyajimaguchi: Miyajima Coral Hotel

Japan, 〒739-0411 Hiroshima, Hatsukaichi, Miyajimaguchi, 1 Chome−9−8 １階

Our first hotel on arrival to Fukuoka. Its a 2.5 hrs away from Fukuoka but since i set my heart to visiting  itksukushima. This is the best choice as within walking distance to train station and also ferry terminal to itksukushima. 

The view of the bay from the room is great. 

Amentities like pillows/chargers and games are available to choose at the reception. We selected memory foam pillow and got it delivered to our room. 😍 To me the memory foam pillow is a life saver. 

The room is good size for 3 pax and well furnished. 

The breakfast is superb. They recommended their ochazuke and handmade tofu for their breakfast. There is a good mixture of japanese and western breakfast. Its free seating but unfortunately the seats near the window facing the bay is all taken.