Mount Misen
ExploreJapanDaily Editorial Team · Last updated: October 4, 2026 · Facts verified: October 3, 2026
Mount Misen is the 535-meter peak behind Itsukushima Shrine, and the planning question is how much of your Miyajima day to give it. The Miyajima Ropeway does not reach the summit: it stops at Shishiiwa Station, and the top is a walk of about 30 minutes each way on stone steps. With the ropeway, Misen adds roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to a day on the island; hiking up from the town takes 1.5 to 2 hours before you reach the top.
- Area
- Miyajima, Hatsukaichi
- Best For
- Hiking, Views, Nature
Visiting Mount Misen
Mount Misen (弥山) is the highest peak on Miyajima, at 535 meters, rising behind Itsukushima Shrine in Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima Prefecture, in the Chugoku region of western Japan. Its upper slopes are covered by a primeval forest that is part of the Itsukushima Shrine World Heritage Site, and the summit area is scattered with granite boulders and temple halls linked to the monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai), who is said to have trained here.
There are two ways up. Three hiking trails climb from the town, each taking about 1.5 to 2 hours. The Miyajima Ropeway rises from Momijidani Park in two stages, a small-gondola line and then a larger cabin line, to Shishiiwa Station at about 430 meters. From there the summit is a further walk of about 30 minutes each way over steps and slopes.
This page covers the mountain, its trails and the ropeway. For the shrine at its foot, see Itsukushima Shrine; for the ferry, the town and how long to spend on the island, see the Miyajima Island guide.
Should you add Mount Misen to a Miyajima day?
Short answer
Add it if you have most of a day on Miyajima, the weather is clear, and you can reach the ropeway well before its 4:00 PM last ride up, or are happy to hike. Skip it on a half-day visit, when wind has stopped the ropeway and you do not want to hike both ways, or if you need step-free access.
Worth adding if
- You have a full day on the island, or are staying overnight.
- The day is clear enough for the view across the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
- You can reach Momijidani Station with time to spare before 4:00 PM, or you plan to hike.
- You can manage stone steps: even with the ropeway, the summit is about 30 minutes' walk each way.
Skip it if
- You have only a few hours and still want Itsukushima Shrine and the town.
- Strong wind or thunder has stopped the ropeway and you do not want to hike up and down.
- You need step-free access beyond the ropeway's base station.
- You would be starting a hike late in the afternoon; the operator asks hikers to plan around sunset.
Ropeway, hiking or both
Short answer
Most visitors ride the ropeway up and walk the last stretch to the summit. Hiking both ways is the cheapest and longest plan. Hiking up and riding down works only if you reach Shishiiwa Station before the 4:30 PM last ride down.
- Ropeway up and down, plus the summit walk
- Time to add: About 2.5 to 3 hours from the town
- Effort: About 30 minutes of steps and slopes each way between Shishiiwa Station and the summit
- Watch for: Last ride up 4:00 PM; wind and maintenance closures; reservation days
- Ropeway to Shishiiwa Observatory only
- Time to add: About 1.5 to 2 hours from the town
- Effort: A short walk from the station to the observatory
- Watch for: You get the sea view but not the summit or the temple halls
- Hike up, ropeway down
- Time to add: About 3 to 3.5 hours
- Effort: 1.5 to 2 hours of steady climbing on stone steps
- Watch for: Reach Shishiiwa Station by 4:30 PM; it takes cash only for one-way tickets
- Hike up and down
- Time to add: About 3.5 to 4 hours
- Effort: The full climb, plus about 1 to 1.5 hours down
- Watch for: Start early, especially in summer heat and on short winter days
- Skip Misen
- Time to add: None
- Effort: None
- Watch for: Spend the time at the shrine, on Omotesando and along the waterfront
| Plan | Time to add | Effort | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ropeway up and down, plus the summit walk | About 2.5 to 3 hours from the town | About 30 minutes of steps and slopes each way between Shishiiwa Station and the summit | Last ride up 4:00 PM; wind and maintenance closures; reservation days |
| Ropeway to Shishiiwa Observatory only | About 1.5 to 2 hours from the town | A short walk from the station to the observatory | You get the sea view but not the summit or the temple halls |
| Hike up, ropeway down | About 3 to 3.5 hours | 1.5 to 2 hours of steady climbing on stone steps | Reach Shishiiwa Station by 4:30 PM; it takes cash only for one-way tickets |
| Hike up and down | About 3.5 to 4 hours | The full climb, plus about 1 to 1.5 hours down | Start early, especially in summer heat and on short winter days |
| Skip Misen | None | None | Spend the time at the shrine, on Omotesando and along the waterfront |
From the ropeway to the summit
Short answer
The ropeway ends at Shishiiwa Station, at about 430 meters. The summit is at 535 meters, and the path between them takes about 30 minutes each way over steps and slopes, past the temple halls of Misen Hondo and Reikado. The ropeway operator puts the full round walk at about an hour.
Start
Momijidani Station
The base station, in Momijidani Park. The Momijidani Line's eight-seat gondolas leave about every minute for a ride of about 10 minutes to Kayatani Station, where you change lines.
About 1 hour round trip from Momijidani Station
Shishiiwa Station and Shishiiwa Observatory
The Shishiiwa Line's large cabins make a run of about 4 minutes to Shishiiwa Station. The observatory beside it, at 433 meters, looks out over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
Turn back here if you are short on time or want to avoid stairs. You have seen the main sea view.
About 20 minutes on from Shishiiwa Station
Misen Hondo and Reikado
Misen Hondo stands where Kobo Daishi is said to have trained. Reikado keeps a fire said to have burned for more than 1,200 years; it was used to light the Peace Flame in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park. The halls are open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
About 2 hours round trip from Momijidani Station
Summit and Mount Misen Observatory
About 10 minutes more, up past giant granite boulders, to the 535-meter summit and its observatory (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM), with an unobstructed view in every direction.
The three hiking trails
Short answer
Three trails climb from the town: the Momijidani and Daisho-in courses, each about 1.5 hours up, and the Omoto course, about 2 hours, according to the Miyajima Tourist Association and Hatsukaichi city map. All three are steep and largely stone steps. You can climb one and descend another, or hike one way and ride the ropeway the other.
- Momijidani Course
- About 1.5 hours up from Momijidani Park, where the ropeway's base station also stands. The park is about 20 minutes on foot from the ferry terminal.
- Daisho-in Course
- About 1.5 hours up from Daisho-in temple, about 20 minutes on foot from the ferry terminal. The ropeway's summit map puts the descent back to Daisho-in at about 60 minutes.
- Omoto Course
- About 2 hours up from Omoto Park, about 25 minutes on foot from the ferry terminal; the longest approach. The descent to Omoto Park is about 90 minutes.
Wear sneakers or hiking shoes and dress in layers: the ropeway operator warns that the weather on the mountain changes quickly, that paths are slippery in the rain, and that poisonous snakes and bees live on the mountain. Carry water, and take your litter back down with you.
Before you ride the Miyajima Ropeway
Short answer
Check the ropeway's website on the day you go. It shows whether the ropeway is running normally and whether that date is one of the peak days when riders must reserve online in advance.
Turning up on a reservation day without booking
Instead: On designated specific days, mostly in peak seasons, the ropeway requires an online reservation in advance. It lists those dates for the next three months on its operation page.
Assuming the ropeway reaches the summit
Instead: It stops at Shishiiwa Station. Allow about an hour for the round walk to the summit and back.
Missing the last ride
Instead: The last ride up is at 4:00 PM and the last ride down at 4:30 PM. If you hike up planning to ride down, reach Shishiiwa Station by 4:30 PM.
Waiting for the shuttle at lunchtime
Instead: The free shuttle bus from the Momijidani Park entrance, behind Itsukushima Shrine, runs about every 20 minutes from 9:50 AM but does not run from 12:10 to 1:10 PM. The walk from the park entrance takes about 10 minutes.
Expecting to pay by card at the top
Instead: Card, IC card and PayPay work at Momijidani Station only. Carry cash if you hike up and buy a one-way ticket down at Shishiiwa Station.
Planning a February or July visit without checking
Instead: The ropeway closes for maintenance twice a year, around February and July. Check the dates, or plan to hike.
What to do on Mount Misen
How to Get to Mount Misen
Mount Misen rises behind Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima. The trails start in the town, and the Miyajima Ropeway's base, Momijidani Station, is in Momijidani Park above the shrine.
- •Momijidani Station is about 25 minutes on foot from the Miyajima ferry terminal.
- •The free shuttle from the Momijidani Park entrance does not run from 12:10 to 1:10 PM.
- •The Miyajima Ropeway Information Center, in front of Miyajima Pier, sells tickets and has English-speaking staff.
For IC cards, tickets, and full transit basics for Hiroshima, see the complete transportation guide.
Getting Around Hiroshima →Map
Best Time to Visit Mount Misen
Best time to visit Mount Misen: A clear morning; reach the ropeway well before the 4:00 PM last ride up. Weekday mornings are generally quieter than weekends and public holidays.
- •Go on a clear day; the summit's appeal is the view, and the ropeway stops in strong wind and thunder.
- •Start early: the last ride up is at 4:00 PM, and hikers should plan around sunset.
- •Autumn weekends and holiday periods have been designated ropeway reservation days; check the ropeway's list before you go.
The ropeway starts in Momijidani Park, known for its maples. Several November weekends are among the ropeway's reservation days, so check its site before you go.
The trails are steep stone steps through forest. Start early and carry water. The ropeway's summer maintenance closure falls around July.
The ropeway closes for its other maintenance period around February. Check the dates before planning a winter visit, or plan to hike.
Entry Fee & Hours
| Category | Price (JPY) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, round trip | ¥2,000 | ~$13 |
| Adult, one way | ¥1,100 | ~$7.3 |
| Child, round trip | ¥1,000 | ~$6.7 |
| Child, one way | ¥550 | ~$3.7 |
| Senior 65+, round trip | ¥1,800 | ~$12 |
| Senior 65+, one way | ¥1,000 | ~$6.7 |
Adult fares apply from age 12 (junior high school). Children are 6 to 12. The senior rate is for those 65 and over, with proof of age. Hiking the trails is free.
- •The ropeway has no elevators, and wheelchairs and strollers cannot board the Momijidani Line gondolas; they can be left at the Momijidani Station office. The summit area has steep slopes and stone steps.
- •Card, transit IC card and PayPay payment are accepted at Momijidani Station only. Shishiiwa Station, at the top, takes cash only.
- •One preschool child rides free with each paying adult; the child fare applies from the second child. The senior rate (65 and over) needs proof of age.
- •Pets are not allowed on the ropeway, except service dogs.
- •The official map marks toilets at Shishiiwa Station and near the summit.
Nearby Attractions
Combine with Mount Misen on the same day
Itsukushima Shrine
Miyajima Island
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- •Itsukushima Shrine (At the foot of the mountain, near the Momijidani Park entrance): The World Heritage shrine on Miyajima, built over a tidal bay with the Great Torii standing offshore. Entry is 300 yen, hours change by season, and the tide decides whether the torii stands in water or can be reached on foot.
- •Miyajima Island (Trails and ropeway start in the town): The island of Itsukushima Shrine, in Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima Prefecture, about an hour from central Hiroshima by train and ferry. Half a day for the shrine and town; a full day with Mount Misen.
- •Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Central Hiroshima, about 45 minutes by direct boat): The free, always-open memorial park in central Hiroshima, with the Cenotaph, the Peace Flame, the Children's Peace Monument and the National Peace Memorial Hall. The Atomic Bomb Dome stands across the river and the ticketed museum at its southern end.
Two ways to fit Mount Misen into a Miyajima day
Both assume an early ferry. The first rides the ropeway; the second hikes up and rides down.
Shrine, then the ropeway
The usual plan, with the summit walk as the only climbing.
Morning
Itsukushima Shrine and the Great Torii, timed to the tide you want.
Late morning
Walk or take the free shuttle to Momijidani Station and ride the ropeway up.
Midday
Walk from Shishiiwa Station to the summit and back, about an hour, past Reikado.
Afternoon
Ride down and spend the rest of the day in the town on Miyajima.
Hike up, ride down
More effort, and the mountain before the shrine.
Early morning
Climb the Daisho-in or Momijidani trail, about 1.5 hours.
Late morning
The summit, Reikado and Misen Hondo, then walk down to Shishiiwa Station.
Midday
Ropeway down, with a one-way ticket bought in cash at Shishiiwa Station.
Afternoon
Itsukushima Shrine and the town.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
View references
Miyajima Ropeway
Miyajima Tourist Association
Miyajima Tourist Association and Hatsukaichi City
Planning Your Hiroshima Trip?
See the full Hiroshima destination guide or browse Japan itineraries that include this city.
See all Nature & Scenic Spots across Japan →Explore all attractions in Hiroshima or browse nearby destinations.
Back to Hiroshima Guide →