Fukuoka ~ Aomori Japan West Coast Round-Trip 18-Night / 19-Day Rental Car Road Trip [Day 2]

 

Fukuoka ~ Aomori Japan West Coast Round-Trip 18-Night / 19-Day Rental Car Road Trip [Day 2]: 

Departing Ube City and Exploring the World Heritage Island of Fujiyama, Hiroshima

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Continuing our 18-night, 19-day rental car epic journey heading north along the west coast of Japan! Following our overnight stay in Ube City on Day 1, our Day 2 destination was Miyajima (Itsukushima)—a UNESCO World Heritage site known as one of Japan's top three scenic spots, enveloped in a sacred atmosphere.

Below is the detailed driving timeline from our early morning departure in Ube City to our arrival on Miyajima Island, along with a comprehensive guide covering Miyajima's history, culture, attractions, and local cuisine.

 

Day 2 Actual Travel Route & Rental Car Driving Record (Timeline)

Day 2 was a scenic road trip covering roughly 200 km of national highways and regional roads from Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to the Miyajima Ferry Pier in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture.

[07:38] Departed Hotel New Gaea Ube (Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture)
  ↓ (1st driving leg: approx. 14 miles via national roads, approx. 3 hours 34 mins)
[11:12 ~ 11:32] Rest and stop at 7-Eleven (Shunan Shinzutsumi Branch)
  ↓ (2nd driving leg: approx. 41 miles, approx. 1 hour 58 mins)
[11:32 ~ 13:30] Lunch at a local Japanese ramen specialty restaurant along the way
  ↓ (3rd driving leg & heading toward Miyajimaguchi)
[16:03 ~ 16:35] Arrived at Miyajima Ferry Pier (宮島棧橋) and boarded the ferry to the island
  ↓ (4.5 miles drive / approx. 31 mins)
[17:06] Arrived at Day 2 accommodation, 'Miyajima Nouen (宮島農園)'

• Total Driving & Travel Time: Approximately 6 hours and 8 minutes (including rest stops, lunch, and ferry boarding time)
  
  
• Total Distance Covered: Approx. 60 miles (including cumulative travel between major checkpoints and driving on the island)
  
  
• Driving Reflections: Japanese roads feature narrow lane widths and frequent traffic lights on national routes, keeping the average speed relatively low. However, the scenery unfolding along the Seto Inland Sea coastline past Shunan City and a warm bowl of local ramen at a roadside restaurant easily melted away the fatigue of the drive.
  
  

 [Special Feature] UNESCO World Heritage Site: Miyajima (宮島), The Island Where Gods Dwell

▲ Source: Wikimedia Commons (Miyajima's iconic large O-torii gate standing gracefully in the sea)

1. Overview and World Heritage Significance of Miyajima

Located in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Miyajima is officially named Itsukushima. Since ancient times, the entire island has been revered as a sacred ground where deities reside ("Island of the Gods"). In 1996, the shrine architecture and the primeval forest of Mount Misen behind it were recognized for their outstanding universal value and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Along with Amanohashidate in Kyoto and Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, Miyajima is celebrated as one of Japan's Three Most Scenic Views (Nihon Sankei). It is a one-of-a-kind tidal shrine heritage site where the shrine buildings and massive Torii gate—built right over the water—create completely contrasting landscapes depending on the rise and fall of the tides.

2. Top 5 Must-See Attractions in Miyajima

▲ Source: Wikimedia Commons (Itsukushima Shrine corridors giving the illusion of floating on the sea during high tide)

① Itsukushima Shrine (嚴島神社)

• History & Architecture: First established in 593, the shrine was grandly expanded into its current elegant shinden-zukuri (Heian-period palatial style) marine palace form in the 12th century by the powerful ruler Taira no Kiyomori.
  
  
• Sightseeing Highlights: During high tide, the vermillion corridors and main hall create a breathtaking illusion of floating on top of the ocean. During low tide, visitors can walk right up to the base of the towering 16-meter-tall wooden Torii gate.
  
  

▲ Source: Wikimedia Commons (Panoramic view of the picturesque islands of the Seto Inland Sea from Mount Misen summit)

② Mount Misen (彌山, Mt. Misen)

• Primeval Forest & Mountain Worship: Standing at 535 meters above sea level, Mount Misen is the spiritual peak of Miyajima. Famous as the site where the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) underwent ascetic training in 806 AD, the Reikado Hall near the summit houses the "Eternal Flame (消えずの火)" which has been burning continuously for 1,200 years. (This flame was also used to light the Peace Flame at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park.)
  
  
• Mount Misen Ropeway: Taking the ropeway up and hiking to the summit observation deck rewards travelers with a stunning 360-degree panorama of the Seto Inland Sea archipelago.
  
  

▲ Source: Wikimedia Commons (The tranquil grounds of Daisho-in, one of Miyajima's oldest and most historic Buddhist temples)

③ Daisho-in Temple (大聖院)

• Located at the foot of the mountain about a 10-minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine, this is a prominent temple of the Shingon Buddhism sect. With a history spanning over 1,200 years, the temple grounds feature hundreds of stone statues of the 500 Rakan wearing cute red hats along the stone steps, offering a charming and exotic atmosphere.
  
  

④ Omotesando Shopping Street (表參道商店街)

• A vibrant shopping avenue stretching from the Miyajima ferry pier toward Itsukushima Shrine. Lined along this 350-meter street are neat souvenir shops and local street food vendors. It is also home to a display of the world's largest wooden rice paddle (O-shakushi).
  
  

⑤ Senjokaku & Five-Story Pagoda (千疊閣 & 五重塔)

• Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered the construction of this massive wooden hall in 1587 to honor fallen soldiers, but it remained unfinished upon his death. Its vast wooden tatami floor (equivalent to 857 tatami mats) provides a refreshing breeze and an excellent viewpoint, complemented by the adjacent vermillion Five-Story Pagoda.
  
  

3. Representative Local Delicacies of Miyajima (Food Guide)

▲ Source: Wikimedia Commons (Plump, charcoal-grilled local oysters, a specialty of Miyajima, Hiroshima)

• Hiroshima Oysters (カキ, Oyster): Raised in the clean waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Miyajima oysters are remarkably plump and juicy. They can be enjoyed in various ways, including charcoal-grilled, deep-fried (kaki fry), or served over rice bowls.
  
  
• Maple Manju (Momiji Manju, 揉み木饅頭): A traditional maple leaf-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste, custard cream, chocolate, cheese, or other fillings. Recently, "Age-Momiji" (deep-fried maple manju) has become an immensely popular street snack.
  
  
• Conger Eel Rice Bowl (Anago-meshi, 穴子飯): A traditional local specialty featuring savory, broiled conger eel glazed in a flavorful sweet soy-based sauce served over seasoned rice.
  
  

4. Practical Tips for Visiting Miyajima

• Watch Out for Free-Roaming Deer: Approximately 500 wild deer roam freely across Miyajima Island. Unlike the deer in Nara, feeding them is strictly prohibited, and travelers should keep a close eye on maps, paper brochures, and plastic bags as the deer may chew on them.
  
  
• Check the Tide Schedule: Tide times are crucial for a complete Miyajima experience. Because high and low tides alternate twice daily, checking the Hatsukaichi City Tourism Association website beforehand allows visitors to witness both the water-surrounded shrine views and walk across the sea floor to the Torii gate.
  
  
• Rental Car Logistics & Ferry Use: Travelers bringing a vehicle can take the car ferry (operated by JR Ferry or Miyajima Matsudai Ferry) from the Miyajimaguchi pier, arriving on the island in about 10 minutes. After parking at your accommodation on the island (such as Miyajima Nouen), exploring on foot or via ropeway is the most convenient way to get around.
  
  

Driving for roughly six hours along the west coast highways from Ube City brought us to the mystical island of Miyajima. Watching the sunset cast a warm glow over the vermillion Torii gate was a magical way to wrap up the day and stands as one of the ultimate highlights of our 18-night, 19-day rental car road trip.

Stay tuned for our Day 3 travel log as we continue our scenic drive northward along the west coast! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment on World Culture Trip Go.