Wear a kimono and explore Miyajima, Hiroshima

Wear a kimono and explore the spiritual “Miyajima” island, or “Shrine Island” in Japan.At kimono rental shops in the city, you can pick out a beautiful kimono and obi (sash) of your choice, have professionals get you dressed up and ready to go.Explore the romantic island and immerse yourself in Japanese culture all at once!

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Touring in KimonoTouring in Kimono

“Kimono” in Japanese literally means “the thing to wear” and is the national costume of Japan. It is a long robe that folds in the front and fastened in the back with a sash. There are different types of kimono for different seasons, occasions, and generations.

In the summer, people wear summer cotton kimonos called “yukatas” which are light, casual and easy to wear. They are usually worn to summer festivals.

The “furisode,” is a formal kimono for young single women. They are bright and colorful and have long sleeves that almost reach the floor. Many young women like to wear this on special days like the day of their college graduation. Japanese brides having a traditional Japanese wedding will be dressed in the most beautiful silk kimono. Some guests like to attend weddings in kimono too.

In recent years, most Japanese people only wear kimono on special occasions such as weddings. A silk kimono can cost millions of yen and so most women pefer to rent it (unless there is a kimono in the family that has been passed down for generations). This is the reason there are shops all over Japan that rent kimono.

Miyajima is a small island about an hour from Hiroshima city. Officially the island is named Itsukushima, but because many people think of the shrine when they imagine the island, it is called MIyajima (shrine island). The torii gate in Miyajima looks like it’s almost floating in the sea at high tide and this is ranked as one of Japan’s three best views. The view of the red torii gate floating in the Seto Inland Sea, with gorgeous mountains in the background is absolutely stunning.

The island’s most prominent building is the Itsukushima shrine. It is built on top of water, just like the torii gate. It contains a prayer hall, a main hall, a noh theater stage and other buildings and people walk along the path of the shrine to enjoy the view of the sea (where the torii gate is). The shrine has been a significant place of worship for Shintoism throughout history and has been listed in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1996.

Imagine taking a walk in a kimono, with this beautiful view in front of you. Imagine taking pictures there with your colorful silk kimono. Not only international tourists but domestic tourists find it to be the perfect location to wear a kimono, as visiting this island would definitely be a very special occasion.

Choose a kimono of your choice

In Miyajima, there are several shops that rent kimonos. Many shops will offer to keep your luggage while you are enjoying the city, take studio photo shoots, and arrange your hair to match your outfit. If it’s summer, easy-to-wear “yukatas” are also available.

Several elements are needed for the entire Kimono outfit, one of the most important being the obi (sash). The obi (sash) is worn in a knot at the back and there are about ten ways to tie them. , Just like there are different types of kimonos, there are also different types of obi: like the “fukuro obi” which is a formal type of obi (sash) made by sewing or folding cloth in two, and the “odori obi” which is an obi (sash) used when dancing.

You can choose from a wide variety of beautiful, colorful and fancy kimonos and obi (sash) from the Kimono rental shops. The kimono dressing professionals will help all customers get perfectly dressed in their kimono and obi (sash) of choice, to explore the island. In recent years, walking around Miyajima in a kimono outfit that was worn by upper-class women in the Heian period (794 to 1185) is becoming increasingly popular among young Japanese women. The sash is not as tight as normal kimono so in the winter young women like to wear sweaters inside their outfit. Dressing up in it only takes ten minutes and after wearing a traditional head shade, you are good to go.
Kimono is different from western clothing and there are some things to keep in mind when you wear one.. Both men and women are expected to keep a good posture when walking, take elegant small steps so that the kimono doesn’t open, and pick up the outer layer of the kimono when walking up and down the stairs so that the clothing is not dragged. If you don’t walk carefully, the kimono will start to fall apart so make sure you take little steps and go to the bathroom only when you really need to.

There are lots to see on this beautiful island. Enjoy mingling with Miyajima’s famous and people-friendly deer that roam the island- but be careful, as they won’t hesitate to take a bite of your food. Visit Toyokuni Shrine, the largest building on MIyajima. Ride the cable car up Mount Misen, the highest mountain on the island (535 meters or 1755 feet). Explore daishoin temple, and see the Five Storied Pagoda.

Most importantly though, see the torii gate in high tide, when it looks like it’s floating in the sea. At low tide, walk to the torii gate and take a close look at the torii gate. Watch the sun set in the back of the torii gate and shrine and see the reflection of the sun in the water. After sunset, enjoy the night illumination of the torii and shrine. There are so many beautiful moments surrounding the torii gate throughout the day. So keep your eyes open and enjoy the beautiful and spiritual atmosphere, while feeling like a Japanese princess (or prince!) in your colorful kimono outfit.

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture

Why not immerse yourself in Japanese culture and experience wearing and walking around in a beautiful kimono, while exploring the city. It will no doubt be an unforgettable experience.

How to visit?

The shortest way to go from Tokyo to Hiroshima is by air (approx. 90 minutes). Take a domestic flight from Tokyo to Hiroshima Airport and then a limousine bus to JR Hiroshima station (about 1 hour). Take the Sanyo Honsen Line from JR Hiroshima station to JR Miyajimaguchi station. Walk to the Miyajimaguchi ferry port and ride the ferry for about 10 minutes.

Address: 1-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588 (Itsukushima Shrine)
Tel: +81 829-44-2020 (Itsukushima Shrine)