Where to stay in Hatsukaichi: the best neighbourhoods (2026)
On Miyajima, in the bay of Hiroshima, there is not a single cemetery. The entire island is considered a deity, and for centuries no one was allowed to be born or to die there. The large vermillion torii still stands in the water, and deer roam freely through the narrow streets.
You will book under a different name, however, as the island falls under the administration of Hatsukaichi, whose downtown sits on the mainland. Two main areas divide the island: the shrine town and the valley of Momijidani. Expect $210 to $410* a night for a double room in a ryokan including dinner, and from $105* without meals.
I highly recommend setting aside a day for this excursion (or staying overnight to extend the experience).
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At a glance: our picks by traveller type
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The neighbourhood map in Hatsukaichi
Get your bearings on the neighbourhoods and must-see sights before choosing where to drop your bags. Click a name to jump to its description.
The shrine town Omotesandō, right at the foot of the torii
for a first-time visit, directly next to the shrine
This is the classic view everyone photographs: the Itsukushima Shrine built over the water, the five-story pagoda on its hill, and the Omotesandō shopping street smelling of grilled momiji manju. Step right out of your ryokan and you are there, with no hills to climb, no buses to catch, and deer as your only traffic. FloraC points out in her review that "You can walk out to the large torii gate early in the day, then the water rises with the tides." Staying here means you can choose your timing. The downside is that every day-tripper passes through, and rooms facing the torii come at a premium.
What to see & do in the area
Where to stay in this area
Miyajima Kinsuikan Luxury
A long-standing hot spring ryokan right on the waterfront since 1912, just steps from the ferry pier. Features open-air baths facing the open sea, rooms oriented toward the torii, and a seafood dinner sourced straight from the Inland Sea. You fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
Hotel Kikunoya Mid-range
A renovated house five minutes from the shrine, with most rooms facing the grand torii, a top-floor public bath, and coastal cuisine. It hits the right balance between hotel comfort and ryokan dining.
Sakuraya Budget
A small family-run ryokan three minutes from the ferry pier, offering tatami mats, futons, and a few rooms overlooking the water. It is simple, well-kept, and one of the most affordable options on the island, with dinner available as an add-on.
Pros
- Torii, shrine, and pagoda right outside
- Completely flat, near the ferry pier
Cons
- The busiest spot during the day
- Torii-view rooms cost extra
Momijidani and Mount Misen The maple valley at the base of the peak
for the peace, the maples, and the climb up Misen
Past the shrine, the path heads upward. Momijidani Park lines up its maples and red bridges along the stream, the ropeway climbs toward Mount Misen, and Daishō-in temple unfurls its hundreds of small Buddhas wearing woolen caps along the mountain slope. In a review, julies_journeys describes a Daishō-in that visitors often miss, "I highly recommend this free spot that is still not very touristy.". The oldest ryokans on the island hide right here in the greenery. The drawback: everything involves walking uphill, and at night your only option is the inn's dining room.
If you are not used to mountain hiking, be careful because this climb is pretty grueling, with a lot of high stone "steps." But you can opt to take the ropeway up and walk down if your knees can handle it.
What to see & do in the area
Where to stay in this area
Iwaso Luxury
The island's oldest ryokan, established in 1854 as a teahouse for pilgrims and tucked into Momijidani Park alongside the stream, featuring old timber pavilions, baths, kaiseki dining, and a maple garden as your sole neighbor. Natsume Sōseki and Itō Hirobumi both slept here.
Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto Mid-range
A comfortable onsen three minutes from the entrance to Momijidani and just as close to the shrine, offering a shuttle from the ferry pier, large baths, and dinner served in your room, making it the spot to experience a ryokan without the climb, situated between the town and the valley.
Pros
- Maples, Daishō-in, and the start of the Misen trail right at the base
- Quiet and removed from the crowds
Cons
- Everything is uphill
- Nothing happening at night outside the ryokan
Our tips for booking the right place
- Check the tide schedule before booking dinner: At high tide, the massive torii gate sits in the water and makes for a classic shot from the seawall. At low tide, you can walk right up to its pillars. The schedule shifts daily and shows up on any local tide chart. That is the real perk of staying overnight on the island, as you get to experience both extremes with one at dawn and the other at dusk.
- Take the ropeway up and hike the trail down.: This is the route recommended by a member who reviewed Mount Misen: take the ropeway up and hike down. The descent goes past the Daishō-in temple and its hundreds of statues while saving your knees. Bring water and sturdy shoes, and note that mamushi vipers can occasionally be spotted along the trail.
- On the island or the mainland: A ten-minute ferry ride separates Miyajima from Miyajimaguchi on the mainland, where hotels often cost half as much. The catch is not the distance but the time of the last boat. As a member warns, you need "If you are not staying on Miyajima, be sure to check the times for the last ferries so you do not find yourself pressed for time." Staying overnight on the island removes that constraint and gives you the sunset and early morning after the day-trippers leave.
- Booking a room without a view at the back of town just to save money means paying Miyajima prices without getting what makes it special. A simpler place facing the water is a better bet.
- Counting on nightlife: once the day visitors leave, the Omotesandō shopping arcade closes up and restaurants pull down their shutters early. Evenings are spent soaking in the bath and dining at your ryokan on a half-board plan. Anyone looking for bars open late should sleep in Hiroshima and visit for the day.
- Arriving with heavy rolling suitcases: the alleys slope upward, the ryokans around Momijidani lack elevators, and the final stretch requires walking from the pier. Leave large luggage in a locker in Hiroshima or Miyajimaguchi.
FAQ: where to stay in Hatsukaichi
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