your guide to Mount Misen & the Miyajima Ropeway in japan

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Mount Misen and the Miyajima Ropeway are two of the most popular – and rewarding – experiences on Miyajima Island. During my overnight stay on the island, I had the chance to experience this outdoor adventure firsthand, and it quickly became one of the highlights of my time there.

Rising to 535 meters (1,755 feet), Mount Misen offers sweeping views over the Seto Inland Sea and Hiroshima Bay. The views from the top are stunning and feel worlds away from the busy waterfront below.

If you’re looking to experience Miyajima beyond the famous torii gate, this is one of the most memorable ways to do it.

This Mount Misen and Miyajima Ropeway guide walks you through everything you need to know to choose the best route, understand what to expect, and plan your visit with confidence.

How to get to mount misen

There are a few different ways to reach the summit – either by riding the Miyajima Ropeway, hiking one of the island’s three forested trails, or combining both.

All starting points are walkable from the towns center

Mt Misen Trail map — Credit: openstreetmap-contributors, tourstinjapan.com

Should you hike up to Mt. Misen?

Hiking from the base is absolutely doable, but it’s steep and can be draining – particularly in warm or humid weather.

The trails are a combination of dirt and stone blocks. The steps vary in size, and many of them are quite tall.

Besides good exercise and nature immersion, hiking may be your best option if the line is too long at the ropeway or you don’t want to spend the extra bit of money.

👉 Having the 10 essentials on any hike is important, but be sure to carry more water and snacks than you think you’ll need at the very least.

Three trails can take you to the top of Mount Misen: Daishoin Trail, Omoto Trail, and Momijidani Trail.

cherry blossoms at Momijidani Park - mount misen guide — Visitor capturing cherry blossoms at Momijidani Park

Momijidani Trail

Best for: Ropeway users, first-time visitors, fall foliage

Time: ~1.5-2 hours one way

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 4.9 miles

Elevation 1,729 feet

The Momijidani Trail is the most commonly used route and connects directly to the lower Miyajima Ropeway station.

Even if you don’t hike the full Momijidani Trail, you’ll likely walk part of it to reach the ropeway station. This makes it the most logical option if you’re stopping by the ropeway to assess the wait time.

cherry blossoms at Momijidani Park — Cherry blossoms at Momijidani Park

Koi at Momijidani Park — Cherry blossoms at Momijidani Park

The trail begins in the Momijidani Park, which is filled with autumn maples or spring cherry blossoms.

Because of its accessibility, this trail sees the most foot traffic – especially midday.

That said, it’s scenic and straightforward, making it a solid choice if you want a predictable, clearly marked route.

Daisho-in Trail

Best for: Scenic hiking, temples, quieter experience

Time: ~1.5-2 hours one way

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 3.3 miles

Elevation: 1,666 feet

The Daisho-in Trail begins near Daisho-in Temple and is widely regarded as the most scenic route to the summit.

The trail is comprised of a mossy stone staircase lined with Jizo statues.

Jizo are stone statues that are protectors of children, travelers, and women. They often have red garments, such as hats, to ward off evil.

This route feels deeply connected to Mount Misen’s religious significance and tends to be quieter than Momijidani—especially in the morning.

Omoto Trail

Best for: Experienced hikers, solitude

Time: ~1.5-2 hours one way

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Length: 4.7 miles

Elevation: 2,043 feet

The Omoto Trail is the least traveled and most physically demanding of the three. It starts near Omoto Shrine and climbs more directly toward the summit.

This trail is known to be more rugged and remote, making it appealing if you’re seeking solitude or a challenge. This route is best attempted in good weather and with proper footwear—it’s not ideal after rain or if you’re short on time.

Which Mount Misen Trail Should You Choose?

Many visitors mix routes – for example, hiking up via Daisho-in and descending via Momijidani Trail.

No matter which trail you choose, the summit of Mt. Misen rewards you with sweeping views. If you’re deciding how to fit this hike into your trip, pairing trail choice with timing (early morning or late afternoon) makes a huge difference -especially during busy seasons.

Should you take the Miyajima Ropeway?

Combining the Miyajima Ropeway with a hike to the summit of Mt. Misen. This approach gives you sweeping views, a peaceful forest walk, and a deeper sense of the island – without the physical demand of hiking from sea level.

If you want a scenic experience that still feels earned, this is your best option.

You can also take the ropeway round trip – this is a fun option for people with limited mobility or balance issues who would not be able to hike on the trails, or for families with young children who will tire out easily.

It’s important to note that you will not arrive at the true summit when taking the ropeway, but you can choose to continue the trek to the top.

Taking the ropeway is especially helpful if you’re balancing Miyajima with time in Hiroshima. For ideas on how to structure those days together, my Hiroshima travel guide breaks down realistic pacing and transportation tips.

Cost of Miyajima Ropeway:

One way: 1100 yen
Round trip: 2000 yen

Ropeway Route

The ropeway operates in two stages:

Momijidani Station → Kayatani Station
Kayatani Station → Shishiiwa Station

There is no option to get off and hike at Kayatani Station.

The ride itself is scenic, especially the second half. You will be gliding over forested hills with views toward Hiroshima Bay.

When you reach the end, there is a viewpoint similar to the ones on the ropeway itself called the Shishiiwa Observatory.

👉 Weather or strong winds can temporarily close ropeway operations. Although this can be unavoidable at times, check the weather before you decide to take the ropeway, especially if you’ll have problems hiking down.

Miyajima Ropeway to Mount Misen — View from Miyajima Ropeway

Trekking to the summit

The hike is still about 30-40 minutes from the top station, if you choose to continue. The hike treks up and down until you get to Misen Hondo (Misen Main Hall) and Reikado (Hall of the Spiritual Flame). Near here is where the hiking trails start to converge and the trail continues uphill.

These halls are a good resting area before climbing up higher to the summit. This is an important religious heritage site on Miyajima Island.

An important religious figure, Kobo Daishi was said to lit a flame for worship here, that is still burning. At the inner sanctuary, you can view the eternal fire – which has supposedly been burning for over 1250 years.

As you get close to the summit, you’ll start to climb uphill through narrow rock paths and scattered religious statues.

I didn’t find this trail extremely hard, but at the time I had no anticipation of how long the trail would be – so I jetted through the trail in attempt to finish the trek quickly. Overall, I’d rate the trail as moderate and decently maintained.

Mount Misen Views at the summit — View from the summit of Mount Misen

Views from the Top of Mt. Misen

When you approach the summit you’ll see a large building with three levels. At ground level much of the view is blocked by shrubbery. Head to the 3rd floor of the observatory for the best view.

There is plenty of space at the observatory to walk around, sit and have lunch. I recommend eating on the ground level or second floor, as the rooftop (3rd level) can get windy and exposed.

At the summit, you’re rewarded with 360-degree views over Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Bay, and other distant islands on clear days.

I really enjoyed the view here – layered mountains on one side and the bay on the other. Although the trail wasn’t overly hard – I was thankful for the rest and beautiful views here.

Are there crowds on the trail?

The summit and the halls below, and the trails had enough people that it felt safe for a solo traveler, but not enough people to make it feel overly crowded. It’s a great contrast to the busier areas near the ferry terminal and shrine.

Although there are often crowds lining up for the ropeway, the area is large enough that people are spread out – and the nature of the ropeway prevents everyone heading up at once. It’s my assumption that many people took the ropeway round trip and didn’t finish the trek to the summit as it seemed to die out from there.

How This Fits Into a Miyajima Visit

Plan for a half day trip up to Mount Misen – likely 4-6 hours depending on if you’ll be hiking both ways or there’s a long line at the ropeway.

Timing matters – especially when it comes to crowds and ropeway lines.

If you choose to take the ropeway up, the line starts to build right away. It’s best to get there first thing in the morning, especially if your time is limited.

I arrived at the ropeway about an hour after opening and waited a little over an hour to get onto the ropeway.

Bonus tip – when you arrive at the ferry dock, look for the storefront that informs you the wait time for the ropeway. This may help you decide if you have time to fit it in your itinerary.

If you’re still deciding how long to spend on the island or what to prioritize, my Miyajima Island Travel Guide walks through pacing, must-see spots, and how to experience Miyajima best.

What to Wear & Bring

Check out my recommendations for the 10 essentials and more.

Comfortable walking or trail shoes
Water and snacks (plenty, especially in warmer months)
Sun protection
Downloaded map for hiking trails
Cash for ropeway tickets

Travelers staying overnight on Miyajima should consider doing this hike early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when day-trippers have mostly left the island.

Ropeway + Hike vs Full Hike: Which Is Better?

I personally wanted to experience the ropeway and didn’t have a full day to spend on the trek. I chose to do the ropeway to the top and hiked down.

Treking downhill tends to be quicker and less cardiovascularly taxing than ascending upward. I felt this gave me the best of both experiences and still left time for other things on the island. I did this hike before traveling to Hiroshima for the night and found myself to have plenty of time to explore.

The ropeway (+/- hike) is ideal if you:

Want incredible views with less physical strain
Are short on time and arrive early enough to beat the crowded lines
Are unsure if you want to trek all the way to the summit, but still want to see some views
Plan to take the ropeway round trip

A full hike from the base may be better if you:

Enjoy long, challenging ascents
Want solitude for most of the climb
Desire to have a more flexible schedule, and the ropeway lines are long
Afraid of heights or visiting on a particularly windy day

Both options are rewarding, but the ropeway combination is the most efficient choice for most visitors.

Planning Miyajima Alongside Hiroshima

Most travelers visit Miyajima as part of a broader Hiroshima trip. Doing the ropeway and Mount Misen hike allows you to experience the island’s natural side without sacrificing time in the city.

For help planning both destinations together, these guides may be useful:

Miyajima Island Travel Guide
Things to Do in Hiroshima

Is Mount Misen worthwhile to visit?

Using the Miyajima Ropeway and hiking to the top of Mount Misen is one of the most memorable experiences on the island. I found it to be a nice mix of nature It offers incredible views, a peaceful atmosphere, and just enough effort to feel rewarding—without overwhelming your itinerary.

If you’re looking to experience Miyajima beyond its most photographed spots, this experience is absolutely worth making time for.

Hi, I’m Amber —

A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring the world through hiking, food, culture, and the beauty of God’s creation. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.