Iwasō Ryokan

Top choice in Miyajima


The Iwasō, open since 1854, offers a grand ryokan experience amid exquisite gardens. There are three wings; a stay in a lovely 'Hanare' cottage will set you back the most. Not all rooms have private bathrooms, but you can soak in the onsen in the main building. It's especially stunning in autumn, when Momiji-dani (Maple Valley) explodes with colour.

It's about a 15-minute walk from the ferry port, or a pick-up can be arranged.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Miyajima attractions

1. Momiji-dani-kōen

0.05 MILES

Momiji means 'maple', and their leaves come alive during autumn in this pretty park along the river.

2. Itsukushima-jinja

0.14 MILES

With origins as far back as the late 6th century, Itsukushima-jinja gives Miyajima its real name. The shrine's unique and attractive pier-like…

3. Floating Nō Stage

0.16 MILES

On one side of Itsukushima-jinja is a floating nō stage, built by local lord Asano Tsunanaga in 1680 and still used for nō (stylised dance-drama)…

4. Senjō-kaku

0.18 MILES

Dominating the hill immediately to the north of Itsukushima-jinja is this huge pavilion, built in 1587 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The atmospheric hall is…

5. Daigan-ji

0.22 MILES

Miyajima has several important Buddhist temples, including the 1201 Daigan-ji, which dates back to the Heian period and is dedicated to Benzaiten, the…

6. Miyajima History & Folklore Museum

0.26 MILES

Set in a fine garden, this museum combines a 19th-century merchant house with exhibitions on trade in the Edo period, as well as displays connected with…

7. Floating Torii

0.27 MILES

This 16m-tall vermilion torii (shrine gate) is a symbol of Miyajima and the watery entrance to World Heritage shrine Itsukushima-jinja. At high tide, it…

8. Tahō-tō

0.29 MILES

South of Itsukushima-jinja, stone steps (before you reach Miyajima History & Folklore Museum) lead up from the road to this picturesque pagoda. There's a…