Mt. Misen

In short

Mt. Misen is the highest mountain on Miyajima, with an elevation of approximately 535 meters. It is said that in 806, Kobo Daishi Kukai performed a 100-day Gumonji ascetic training on this mountain, and it has since gathered devotion as a sacred site. The Misen Primeval Forest covering the mountain is a national natural monument and is also included in the World Cultural Heritage area.

• ​The "Eternal Flame" of Reikado Hall​​: It is said that the fire lit by Kobo Daishi during his ascetic training has continued to burn for more than 1,200 years, and it also served as one of the source flames for the "Flame of Peace" in the Peace Memorial Park. Reikado Hall, which had guarded the flame, burned down in a fire in May 2026, but the flame itself survived
• ​Giant Rocks and the Seven Wonders​​: There are many giant rocks, such as "Kuguri-iwa," where large boulders overlap like an arch, and "Kanman-iwa," where the water in a hole is said to rise and fall with the ebb and flow of the tide, is counted among the "Seven Wonders of Mt. Misen"
• ​View from the Summit​​: From the observation deck at the summit, you can overlook the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and on clear days, you can even see the mountains of Shikoku

History and Highlights

​Mt. Misen​ is the highest mountain on Miyajima, with an elevation of approximately 535 meters. It is said that in the first year of the Daido era (806), Kobo Daishi Kukai performed a 100-day Gumonji ascetic training on this mountain, and it has since gathered devotion as a sacred site. At the top of the mountain stand halls such as ​Misen Hondo Hall​​, which enshrines the principal image Kokuzo Bosatsu. ​Reikado Hall​​, which had preserved the flame lit by Kobo Daishi during his training, burned down in a fire on May 20, 2026, but the flame itself was saved. Daisho-in Temple plans to rebuild the hall, aiming for completion in November 2027.

The ​Misen Primeval Forest​ covering the mountain was designated as a national natural monument in 1929. Along with the shrine pavilions of Itsukushima Shrine and the sea before them, it is also included in the World Cultural Heritage area.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​The "Eternal Flame" of Reikado Hall​​: It is said that the fire lit by Kobo Daishi during his ascetic training has continued to burn for more than 1,200 years. This fire also served as one of the source flames for the "Flame of Peace" that burns in Hiroshima City's Peace Memorial Park. The hall burned down in a fire in May 2026, but the flame survived.
• ​Giant Rocks and the Seven Wonders​​: Near the summit, many giant rocks can be seen, including "Kuguri-iwa," where large boulders overlap like an arch. "Kanman-iwa," located at an elevation of approximately 500 meters, is said to have water in a small hole on its side that rises and falls with the ebb and flow of the tide, and it is counted among the "Seven Wonders of Mt. Misen."
• ​View from the Summit​​: From the observation deck at the summit, you can overlook the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and on clear days, you can even see the mountains of Shikoku. It is said that Ito Hirobumi, Japan's first Prime Minister, praised this view, remarking that "the true worth of Miyajima, one of the Three Views of Japan, lies in the view from its summit."

Walking Tips

To reach the summit, take the ​Miyajima Ropeway​ up to Shishiiwa Station, and from there it is approximately a 30-minute walk passing by Misen Hondo Hall and the site of Reikado Hall. The path has many stone steps and steep slopes and becomes slippery on rainy days, so please wear comfortable walking shoes. On the way back, please give yourself plenty of time to catch the final ropeway descent to Momijidani Station. Without using the ropeway, you can also hike up and down via the Daisho-in Course, Momijidani Course, or Omoto Course hiking trails. Detailed information on ​Daisho-in Temple​​, ​Momijidani Park​​, and the ropeway at the foot of the mountain is introduced in their respective spot guides.