There are so many places where you can enjoy autumn leaves in Japan, so you may have trouble deciding where to go. Although not included in The Golden Route, Hiroshima is another recommended place to visit, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Osaka. Hiroshima has a lot of famous sightseeing spots, including Atomic Bomb Dome (a World Heritage site), Peace Memorial Park, and Itsukushima Island. Another popular sight, Onomichi City, is a gateway to Setouchi Shimanami Kaido (a highway bridge that connects Hiroshima to Ehime prefecture), and is dotted with a number of picturesque sights.

There are so many places where you can enjoy autumn leaves in Japan, so you may have trouble deciding where to go. Although not included in The Golden Route, Hiroshima is another recommended place to visit, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Osaka. Hiroshima has a lot of famous sightseeing spots, including Atomic Bomb Dome (a World Heritage site), Peace Memorial Park, and Itsukushima Island. Another popular sight, Onomichi City, is a gateway to Setouchi Shimanami Kaido (a highway bridge that connects Hiroshima to Ehime prefecture), and is dotted with a number of picturesque sights.

Miyajima in Aki: One of the Three Great Views of Japan, with the leaves in autumn being particularly beautiful

Itsukushima is an island belonging to Hiroshima, located in the Seto Inland Sea. It is referred to as “Miyajima in Aki”, or Shrine Island in Aki Province. “Aki” is an old name for Hiroshima, and it is a homonym with “autumn”. Accordingly, Itsukushima Island attracts Japanese tourists as a place with magnificent autumn views. You may see a picture of the red Torii shrine gate standing on the seashore. The Torii gate is the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which is designated as a World Heritage site. The main shrine building is vermilion-lacquered and thatched with layers of cypress bark. The beautiful building is blending so well with the red autumn leaves, creating a stunning view.

Momijidani Park, where there are about 700 maple trees, in autumn gilded crimson red, as if the mountain is ablaze. At the end of autumn, the ground is covered with red fallen leaves, creating a calm and elegant atmosphere. You will surely enjoy this scenery.

Itsukushima Shrine
Address: 1-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima
Access: Ferry from JR Miyajimaguchi Station: approx. 10 min ― Miyajima Port

Let’s learn the Japanese Spirit by experiencing the Japanese Culture

In Miyajima, you can experience Japanese culture at “the Okeiko Japan Miyajima”, a Japanese cultural facility which is located at a Zen temple with a history of over 300 years.

Here, you can try on a kimono, and enjoy traditional Japanese culture such as the tea ceremony and calligraphy, with an English guide. The facility offers an easy and enjoyable plans for those are first timer experiencing these activities. In addition, you can go out while wearing your kimono, not just trying it on. Taking a walk while dressed in traditional costume, you will have the feeling of being immersed in the beautiful Japanese scenery.

okeiko Japan
Address: 741-1, Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima
Access: Ferry from JR Miyajimaguchi Station: approx. 10 min ― Miyajima Port ― 5-min walk

Tourist facilities are ready to welcome Muslim tourists

Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Arcade is on the approach to Itsukushima Shrine, and is a spot where you can enjoy the local specialty foods such as oyster dishes and buy folkcraft goods such as Miyajima Shakushi (rice scoop).
You can enjoy Muslim-friendly local cakes such as Momiji-manju and Shakushi-senbei (rice crackers) at “Yamada-ya”, one of the shops along the arcade.

Momiji-manju is a maple-leaf-shaped castella sponge cake, is baked with smooth texture and fluffy, and filled with moist bean-paste. With it’s soft and pleasant texture on your tongue, you will surely enjoy this local specialty food.

Shakushi-senbei is a shakushi-shaped rice cracker. Shakushi is a tool to scoop rice into a bowl. The Japanese phrase meaning “scooping rice” is a homonym with “beating the enemy”. According to this, the shakushi is consider a lucky charm, and Miyajima is known for being the main location where it is produced. Shakushi-senbei is made of vegetable-based ingredients, so you can eat it without any worries. It is also recommended as a souvenir for your family and friends.

It is fun to go from one restaurant to another, and you can enjoy to taste some various local dishes including grilled oysters and deep fried Momiji-manju. The arcade is ready to welcome and entertain Muslim people without worries.

In addition, there is a building named “TOTO Miyajima Omotenashi Toilet”. On the first floor of the building there is a tourist information center. There are also restrooms equipped with a toilet with bidets and warm water. There is a rest area on the second floor which also provided a prayer room. You can certainly have a restful and relaxing time during your trip at this facility.

Yamadaya
Address: 835-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima
Access: Ferry from JR Miyajimaguchi Station: approx. 10 min ― Miyajima Port ― 6-min walk

TOTO Miyajima Omotenashi Toilet
Address: 536-1, Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima
Access: Ferry from JR Miyajimaguchi Station: approx. 10 min ― Miyajima Port ― 6-min walk

Delicious Hiroshima Gourmet and Muslim-friendly

If you wish to taste the authentic Hiroshima cuisine, you should go to Yamaichi-Bekkan, a restaurant/hotel located near to the ferry terminal. All meals are prepared with Muslim-friendly ingredients. In addition, they also provided the kitchenware and tableware are separated from items that used for non-Muslim customers. The restaurant offers a wide range of menu, from seafood to meat dishes, including Hiroshima’s local specialties seafood meals such as “anago don” (bowl of rice topped with conger eel) and oyster dishes.

The restaurant/hotel has a prayer space, and the prayer mat is available to be rent.

If you wish to eat Okonomiyaki, another local specialty of Hiroshima, you should return to the city of Hiroshima, and visit OKOSTA. OKOSTA is a unique facility where you can experience making Okonomiyaki by yourself, using Muslim-friendly ingredients. The main ingredients you will use are squid and shrimp, although the typical meat ingredient for Okonomiyaki is pork. The sauce topping on the Okonomiyaki is also organically made without containing pork or alcohol. An Okonomiyaki chef will assist you while cooking and give you useful tips to make delicious Okonomiyaki, so you can surely enjoy the experience you are the first timer. OKOSTA offers you a precious opportunity to make and eat Okonomiyaki by yourself. It is highly recommended that you visit and take on the challenge of making your own special Okonomiyaki.

Yamaichi-Bekkan
Yamaichi-Bekkan
Address: 1162-4 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima
Access: Ferry from JR Miyajimaguchi Station: approx. 10 min ― Miyajima Port ― 1-min walk

OKOSTA 　
OKOSTA
Address: inside of ekie, 1-2, Matsubaracho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima
Access: 2-min walk from the North Exit of JR Hiroshima Station

Itsukushima Island offers more to make you enjoy your trip

Other than the activities introduced above, Itsukushima Island offers more things to do during your visit. You can ride on the ropeway and look down on the autumn leaves from up on the mountain, or take a rickshaw ride and tour around the island. You can also see wild deer. There are various ways to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Itsukushima Island is the perfect place to visit in autumn. It is highly recommended to include a visit to the island in your Japan trip.