Miyajima Misen

Rising 535 meters from the sacred island of Miyajima (officially Itsukushima), Mt. Misen is the highest point of Hiroshima Prefecture's most hallowed ground. The mountain has been a site of Buddhist ascetic practice since the great monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) first meditated here in the 9th century, and the spiritual energy accumulated over more than a millennium can be felt throughout the ancient cedar forest that cloaks its slopes.

Highlights

The eternal flame at the Reikado (Hall of the Sacred Flame) at the summit has burned continuously for over 1,200 years since Kobo Daishi lit it — it is said to be the original flame from which the "Flame of Peace" in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was kindled. Three hiking trails lead to the summit through dense primeval forest, passing ancient stone-carved Buddhas, rushing mountain streams, and bizarre boulder formations. From the summit observation deck, the views encompass the Seto Inland Sea, its scattering of green islands, and on clear days even distant Mt. Fuji. Sacred white deer roam freely at the base of the mountain around Itsukushima Shrine.

Getting There & Tips

- Take the JR San'yo Line or Hiroshima Electric Railway to Miyajimaguchi, then a 10-minute ferry to Miyajima Island. - From the island ferry terminal, the ropeway to near the summit takes about 15 minutes; from there, 30 minutes on foot to the peak. - Alternatively, three hiking trails (Omoto Course, Momijidani Course, Daishoin Course) take 1.5–2 hours on foot. - Wear sturdy footwear; trails can be muddy after rain. - Free-roaming deer are friendly but should not be fed.

Best Time to Visit

Autumn (mid-October to mid-November) is peak season for red maple leaves throughout the mountain trails. Spring brings cherry blossoms near the lower trails. The mountain has a mystical quality on misty, rainy days when the forest is half-hidden in cloud. Summer mornings before 9 a.m. are cooler and less crowded.