What other travelers are saying about Miyajima Traditional Crafts Center
Kind, welcoming staff and a great hands-on experience!
Even if you don’t speak Japanese, you can still follow along — just be patient and watch carefully. The staff are helpful, and the process is easy once you see it in action.
Here’s a simple rundown of what to expect:
1. Arrive, pay, and head to the second floor.
2. Place your bags on the shelf, wash your hands, and put on an apron.
3. Watch a short demonstration.
4. You’ll work with a hot side and a cold side of the grill.
Step-by-step:
Step 1: Preheat the device. Move it to the hot side for 30 seconds, then back to the cold side and flip. Repeat 6 times.
Step 2: On the cold side, open the mold and lightly oil all four parts and edges.
Step 3: Fill the bottom two molds halfway with batter.
Step 4: Add chocolate to one and red bean paste (anko) to the other, cover with more batter, and close the mold.
Step 5: Move to the hot side for 30 seconds, then return to the cold side and flip. Repeat 4 times.
Step 6: Open the mold and carefully remove your Momiji-Manjū using the stick — insert from the center and lift horizontally.
Step 7: Package your creations neatly.
Step 8: Thank the staff and enjoy the moment — they’ll appreciate it!
Step 9: Walk to the nearest konbini and grab your favorite drink (may I suggest strawberry milk?).
Step 10: Sit in the park, take a bite, and enjoy your Momiji bliss the perfect sweet chapter to end your day. 🍁
Yes, the center offers hands-on workshops where visitors can try their hand at making traditional crafts like shamoji or small wood carvings, guided by skilled artisans.
Workshops generally last between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the craft and the complexity of the project. It's best to check the schedule in advance to plan your visit.
Most workshops suit all ages, though younger children may need assistance. Some workshops may have specific age recommendations, so it’s advisable to inquire beforehand.
The shamoji is a symbol of Miyajima and is believed to bring good fortune. The island is famous for producing these paddles, which are intricately carved and often decorated with traditional designs.
The center has a shop where visitors can purchase a variety of handmade crafts, including shamoji, lacquerware, and other locally made items that represent Miyajima’s artistic heritage.
My parents and I did the momiji manju experience. For about 900 yen we each got to make 2. One had sweet bean paste and the other chocolate. The instructor was nice and spoke limited English but was patient. He demonstrated what we needed to do and spoke in English to us to make sure we understood each step. I speak a little Japanese and that helped.
It was a fun 30 min class and would do it again. They have other classes available so stop by to see what you can sign up for.
Loved the Momiji Manju cake making experience here! Such a wonderful little gem in Miyajima. Their shop with all the wood carved items is also absolutely beautiful.
A fun activity for adults and kids alike. We caught it on a perfect day. We made reservations for the class earlier in the morning and they were ready for us at class time. You get to make four of the cakes each and it’s really fun.
You are given instructions before and during the evolution. It you know Japanese it will be a much more rich adventure, but anyone can participate.
The process is much more involved than I first thought it would be. The instructors were spectacular and really seem to enjoy teaching.
This is a great activity for nearly any age, adults will appreciate it too.
