When talking about Miyajima of Aki, one of Japan’s three most scenic spots, the most famous place is Ikushima Shrine, but actually there’s also an island where you can find super delicious gourmet dishes.

So, this time we’d like to introduce Miyajima gourmet!

As there are no parking areas nor almost any driveways at the restaurants located on the island, we circled the island on foot.

First off, we visited Miyajima’s Omotesando shopping street!

Restaurants and souvenir shops line the 350-meter long road, but what stands out are the shops selling fried oysters.

A number of them fry oysters out front.

We sit outside one of the shops and enjoy our freshly fried oysters!

You can sprinkle on some ponzu (sauce made with soy sauce and citrus juice), lemon or cayenne pepper according to your preference.

Delicious!!

To be honest, I don’t really like oysters, or perhaps I should admit that they weren’t among the foods I like at all, but I was really surprised: “That how good Miyajima’s oysters are?!”.

By the way, we visited in June to research this article, but oysters are supposed to be in season in winter! I wonder why they were so delicious…

Next, we discovered this shop.

“Deep-fried maple leaves?”

Hiroshima’s most famous sweets are maple leaf-shaped manju (steamed buns with filling), and this shop serves them like tempura.

There are three different flavors: cheese, cream, and anko (sweet red bean paste), but cheese is the best!

It’s a slightly unique type of gourmet – I recommend it.

Actually, you can find several shops that sell these “deep fried maple leaves” if you walk along the shopping street.

Moving on, along the ocean road, which is located one road to the west of the shopping street, there is a shop surrounded by an incredibly good aroma.

Even the shop’s name, “Pettara Pottara”, makes you feel that there will be something delicious inside!

“Pettara Pottara” is a fried sticky rice ball topped with either oyster or conger eel, and clad in a secret soy sauce based sauce.

While the exterior is crispy and savory, the inside is oh so chewy!

Yes, this is the most delicious thing I ate this time on Miyajima. If you visit the island, be sure to try this!

Next is a place a little further away from the shopping street. After walking along a back alley that probably doesn’t see too many tourists, and climbing a small hill, you come to a shop called “Kakiwai”.

Here they sell oil-marinated oysters, and within the shop there is also a café.

With the ambience of a traditional Japanese house, the interior of the shop is spacious and has no partitions.

From inside you have a view of the 5-storey pagoda and the sea with ferries coming and going. With pleasant breezes blowing through, it’s truly a comfortable space.

Sitting at seats with these marvelous views, we try the cake set.

In the photograph below you can see the lemon rare cheesecake.

The café is a little bit far from the central area, which is filled with tourists, and the route there is a bit complicated, so it’s an uncrowded, relatively unknown spot!

Today, we’ve given you a taste, but there are still plenty of other yummy gourmet dishes to be had in Miyajima!

Even if you spend a whole day walking around and eating, there isn’t enough time to try everything (lol).

As most of the shops close in the evening, be sure to start your eating tour early!

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Omotesando Shopping Street

Location: Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima prefecture

Pettara Pottara main store
Address: 1183-2 Kitanomachi Hama, Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima prefecture
Tel: 0829-44-2075
HP: http://pettarapottara.com/ (Japanese)

Kakiwai
Address: 422 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi city, Hiroshima prefecture
HP: http://www.kakiwai.jp/ (Japanese & English)
Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Daisuke Chiba