What is the best food to eat in Miyajima Island when visiting Itsukushima shrine, Hiroshima? Here is a food guide for famous street food, local specialties, restaurants with long history, good cafes, etc.
Best Food in Miyajima Island and Miyajimaguchi
What’s Famous Food in Miyajima?
These two are born (invented) in Miyajimaguchi, and famous as Miyajima food.
- Momiji Manju
- Anago Meshi (Conger Eel on rice)
What’s Specialty in Hiroshima?
If you want to try Hiroshima’s specialty, you might want to try
- Okonomiyaki
- Oyster
- Lemon – Setouchi grown Lemon
Momiji Manju – Street Food Born in Miyajima
This is the famous sweet called “Momiji Manju” in Miyajima. Momiji means maple (or maple leaf) in Japanese.
It’s shaped like a maple leaf = Momiji in Japanese. The outside is like a pancake dough, and anko (sweet red bean paste) inside, originally. There are various kinds of fillings today, like chocolate cream, custard cream, etc.
There are many shops selling Momiji Manju there. You can try it from multiple places and compare, that’s what I did.
Takatsudo – The Origin of Momiji Manju
Tsunesuke Takatsu had invented and started selling Momiji Manju in 1906. This originated shop, named Takatsudo is actually NOT located on Miyajima Island. It’s an 8 minute walk from Miyajimaguchi (the ferry terminal to Miyajima).
The dough of the Momiji Manju from Takatsudo is Mochi-Mochi ( = similar to chewy.. difficult to describe in English). And the filling, red bean paste, is not too sweet, but flavorful from the red beans.
I LOVE their Momiji Manju the BEST! You can buy it at the souvenir shop in front of JR Hiroshima Station, that’s where I bought some boxes and bags of Momiji Manju from Takatsudo as souvenirs for my family and friends.
Takatsudo – Miyajimaguchi
Momiji-do : Deep fried Momiji Manju
Momijido started their business in 1912. In 2001, Momijido has started selling “Age momiji” which is a deep fried Momiji Manju. Today, it’s one of famous snacks in Miyajima Island.
We bought a ticket using a vending machine, gave it to the staff, and was told to wait for a couple of minutes until my number was called. They started deep frying, and served us a fresh one which was very hot! Be careful not to burn your mouth and tongue.
For me, Age Momiji = deep fried Momiji Manju tastes sweeter, and the texture of crispiness is enjoyable.
Momijido – Omotesando Shopping Street
Yamada ya
As soon as you get to the Omotesando shopping street, you can find Yamadaya. They started making Momiji Manju in 1932.
We bought a ticket for Momiji Manju using the vending machine, and waited for 10-15 minutes because they start making Momiji Manju after you order. Their dough (outside of Momiji Manju) is thicker than other ones and fluffy, in my opinion.
Yamadaya – Omotesando Shopping Street
Oyster – Hiroshima’s Speciality
Oyster ( Kaki in Japanese ) is one of Hiroshima’s specialties! Hiroshima has 60% of the oyster production across Japan.
There is a specific season that you can eat raw oysters, but you can eat cooked ones anytime!
Kakiya – Oyster Restaurant
Kakiya is located on the Omotesando Shopping Street. It serves oysters only from Hiroshima.
I got myself a grilled oyster, however, you will find raw oysters (during the season), deep fried oysters, Kaki meshi (oysters on rice), etc.
They started grilling an oyster for me after ordering, it took only 2-3mins. The oyster itself was pretty big and beautifully round shaped. Usually, you put some soy sauce, lemon juice, etc. on oysters, but they served the oyster without any sauce. As soon as I bit, I knew that it’s so good! Very creamy, flavorful, and plump!
Kakiya – Omotesando Shopping Street
Anago Meshi = Conger Eel on Rice
Anago means conger eel in Japanese. Anago is one of the specialties in Hiroshima, and Anago Meshi (conger eel + rice) had started in Miyajimaguchi.
Uenoya – Restaurant in Miyajimaguchi
In 1901, Tanikichi Ueno started selling Anagomeshi bento box which is conger eels on top of seasoned rice at Miyajimaguchi station. Uenoya has over 120 years of history!
It’s located in Miyajimaguchi ( NOT on the Miyajima island)
Uenoya – Miyajimaguchi
Fujitaya – Michelin 1 Star Restaurant
Fujitaya was founded in 1902, which means they have been running their business for over 120 years. They use only natural conger eels that weigh 100-120g each. They grill the anago first, then put their sauce on and grill it again after they get an order. It takes time to cook, and also you might wait for a while in the line to get seated. However, it’s a good experience to try conger eel at Fujitaya which got a Michelin 1 star!
https://www.fujitaya-miyajima.com/
Anagomeshi Fujitaya – Miyajima island
Other Foods in Miyajima Island
For a little break, you might want to sit down and have some food.
Bakery Katsutani-pan
Katsutani Bakery sells a variety of coppepan sandwiches. Coppepan sandwiches are similar to American style hotdog buns, although the bread is much softer and sweeter, and contain anything from fried foods to yakisoba noodles. The coppepan sandwich that I bought contained smooth red bean paste. The bread was soft, sweet, and delicious, but the bean paste flavor was a bit weak. There are many different options to choose from, and I recommend picking one up for a taste of Showa era Japanese food!
Miyajima Itsuki Coffee
Miyajima Itsuki Coffee was born in Miyajima island. They use “specialty coffee” which is only 5% of whole coffee beans. The owner roasts the beans every single morning by himself.
I enjoyed their café latte and specialty coffee soft serve!
Miyajima Itsuki Coffee – Miyajima Island
You can enjoy famous street food called Momiji Manju from various places, eat Anagomeshi at a restaraunt with a long history, try oysters which are Hiroshima’s speciality, and much more on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima!
