Sea breeze through the café

On the small island of Miyajima, you’ll encounter a café that keeps its windows and doors open, letting in the gentle wind. Miyajima Itsuki Coffee opens every day at 9 a.m. near the Grand Torii Gate. This café delivers their self-roasted, freshly roasted beans all across Japan! Itsuki Coffee is a popular spot, so it’s best to come in early to enjoy your Miyajima cup! There are 20 seats available, including counter seats. Luckily, we could acquire a seat, but many people had to take theirs to go. Itsuki Coffee is a nine-minute walk from the pier, so if you cannot sit down at the café, you can always enjoy your ice cream and coffee by the water, overlooking the famous gate.

Tiny but mighty

This coffee shop has a small menu but quality items! Itsuki Coffee offers Drip Coffee (390 yen), Espresso (400 yen), Café Latte (500 yen), Lemonade (500 yen), Specialty Coffee Soft Serve Ice Cream (450 yen), Café Mocha (600 yen), and Morning Set (990 yen). The Morning Set includes a hot grilled sandwich with coffee! The bread used is from Hiroshima’s famous bakery, Cadona. Keep in mind, if you’re plant-based or sensitive to dairy, there are no milk alternatives at this café. The giant ice cream is coffee-flavored, with ground coffee sprinkled. We also saw several people adding it into their coffee!

Grand Torii Gate and the ancient Shinto Shrine

You’ll find Miyajima right off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture. Officially named Itsukushima, the island is commonly called Miyajima, Japanese for “shrine island.” People all around the world visit Miyajima for its admired Torii Gate. A torii gate is a symbolic passageway into a shrine’s sacred space. The popularity of the ancient Shinto shrine and Torii Gate stems from its illusion. The shrine and Itsukushima Jinja Otorii, or the torii gate in Miyajima, stand in the water, giving it a floating appearance. At high tide, the shrine and its gate appear to float above the water; you can walk out to see the gate up close by low tide!

If you plan a trip to Japan with Hiroshima on your itinerary, you won’t regret adding Miyajima! Just a breezy 30-minute ferry ride from Hiroshima, you’ll port at this small island! Don’t forget to visit their local café, Itsuki Coffee, and drink it by the water, admiring the Torii Gate and the friendly deer that walk past!