The beating heart of Miyajima: colours, aromas, and street food
The Omotesando Shopping Street is the main road leading from the ferry pier towards the shrine, and it's a full-on sensory experience. It's a fairly long street lined with all kinds of shops: souvenirs, traditional sweets, craft stores, and plenty of street food stalls. The atmosphere is lively, colourful, and always bustling with people, with aromas blending in the air – sweet, savoury, spicy – inviting you to stop at every corner.
It's the perfect spot for a quick lunch while exploring the island: you'll find grilled oysters, fish cakes, caramel croquettes, glazed chestnuts, and so much more. There are also several places to grab a drink – whether it's hot tea, a refreshing lemonade, or even a cold beer to enjoy your break.
In short, whether you're hungry, thirsty, or just want to bring home a souvenir of Miyajima, this street is absolutely unmissable. Highly recommended for a refreshing stop during your island visit!
Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street is one of my favorite places to wander on the island. The street is lined with shops selling local specialties, fresh oysters, maple leaf-shaped momiji manju, souvenirs, and plenty of cute finds. I loved taking my time browsing, sampling snacks, and discovering unique gifts along the way. It can get busy, especially during peak hours, but the lively atmosphere is part of the charm. A must-visit when exploring Miyajima—come hungry and leave extra room in your bag for souvenirs!
Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street is famous as the main food-and-souvenir street on Miyajima Island, acting as the lively approach from the ferry port toward Itsukushima Shrine. We absolutely liked it, you can find all kinds of local food such as:
1. Hiroshima oysters (the biggest draw)
* Freshly grilled oysters sold right on the street
* Often served as skewers or in small snack sets
* The smell of grilling oysters is basically the street’s signature atmosphere
2. Momiji manju (maple-leaf sweets)
* Miyajima’s iconic pastry shaped like a maple leaf
* Filled with red bean paste, custard, chocolate, matcha, etc.
* Many shops sell their own version, so people try multiple ones
3. Street food culture
* Easy “eat while walking” snacks like fried momiji manju (agemomiji)
* Oyster rice, eel (anago), and other Hiroshima specialties
It is also famous for Souvenirs and traditional crafts like:
* Wooden rice paddles (shamoji), one of Miyajima’s signature crafts.
* Local ceramics, charms, and shrine-related souvenirs
It is usually crowded, especially daytime, as it’s the main walking route to the shrine.
A must-visit street on the island! It is full of life and lined with shops selling beautiful local crafts and souvenirs. There are plenty of delicious street food options, especially the famous grilled oysters and Momiji Manju. It gets quite busy, but the atmosphere is fantastic. Perfect for a stroll on your way to the shrine!
Nicely preserved historical street that's full of small shops and cafés, including Starbucks. That one was the only café open, until all the other places shut down and the town became a ghost town with all the tourists trapped there, waiting for the last ferry to take them home. I believe that Starbucks realizes that. Thanks for it.
No ticket to enter the street is needed, it's public space.
