Ideas for a Trip to Mount Misen

Aug 30, 2023

Ideas for a Trip to Mount Misen

Although Miyajima is most famous for its floating torii gate, there’s enough to do to spend several days on the island. One top place to visit is the sacred Mount Misen, which is the highest mountain on the island and is located within the Itsukushima Shrine World Heritage area. You can reach the top of the mountain by taking the ropeway or hiking along one of the trails.

Hiking Trails

If you want to hike Mount Misen, you have three options. These vary in length, but they’re all medium difficulty. They converge at the main path and end at Misen Park, where there is an observatory.

Daisho-in

The shortest hike is the Daisho-in course. It’s 2.3 kilometers and takes around an hour and a half. It’s a popular choice because it begins at Daisho-in Temple, meaning you can start your journey with a visit to the temple buildings. This includes Daisha Hall, which has an artificial cave beneath it housing 88 statues. From the temple grounds, the trail passes along the Shiraito River and through the Misen Virgin Forest.

Momijidani

Named for Momijidani Park where the trail begins, the Momijidani course is an ideal option in the fall when the leaves of the maple trees have turned red. It takes around 80 minutes to walk the 2.5 kilometers to the top.

Omoto

At 2.9 kilometers, the Omoto course is the longest trail. It takes around two hours to complete. To access the trail, go to the entrance to Omoto Park. You’ll pass through the park with its omotogankai — or sea of boulders. You’ll also encounter Fujiwa Rock, Iwayataishiryuketsu Cave, and Komagabayashi Forest along the trail.

The Seven Wonders of Misen

Mount Misen is best known for its Seven Wonders, which date back to ancient times. You can still experience several of them today.

1. Kiezu-no-hi

Meaning eternal flame, Kiezu-no-hi is a holy fire that was lit by Kobo Daishi — the monk who founded the Daishon Temple in the 9th century. It is the source of the Flame of Peace in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and is used to boil water for treating diseases.

2. Shakujo-no-ume

In English, Shakujo-no-ume means plum tree of tin stick. The legend goes that a crosier belonging to Kobo Daishi turned into a plum tree when he was leaning on it.

3. Mandara-iwa

Located behind Misenhondo Hall, Mandara-iwa is a bedrock face featuring engravings of text and images.

4. Kanman-iwa

The name Kanman-iwa translates to ebb-and-flow rock. It comes from the fact that water from the tide ebbs and flows within the hollow of the rock.

5. Hyoshigi-no oto

Hyoshigi-no oto means sound of wooden clappers. It refers to the mysterious noise that occurs sometimes at night, which is said to be a creature called a tengu that lives in the mountain.

6. Shigure-zakura

Meaning showered cherry blossom, Shigure-zakura was a cherry tree that was always covered in dew. Unfortunately, it has now been cut down.

7. Ryuoto No Sugi

Yet another tree is Ryuoto No Sugi, or sea-fire Japan cedar. It supposedly used to appear as lights that could be seen from the coast. The tree still stands but has died.

If you enjoy hiking and the great outdoors, Mount Misen is definitely a place to visit while you’re in Hiroshima.

dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons