An expert analysis of the best accommodation in Miyajima based on customer reviews and knowledge of Japan
The Itsukushima Iroha Hotel
Overview
Spending a night or two on Miyajima is an unforgettable experience and offers a lovely change of pace from the rest of Japan. This is especially true if you like to avoid the crowds as most visitors to Miyajima only come during the day, leaving you to enjoy the beautiful sunsets in peace. Miyajima is also home to an interesting range of unique accommodation with exceptionally high review scores.
To help you choose the best accommodation for your trip, we've carefully selected this list based on our expert knowledge of Miyajima and an objective analysis of customer reviews.
All of the options on this list must adhere to our strict criteria:
- An average review score above 9/10
- A minimum of 100 reviews
- The location must be convenient for sightseeing
Our listing for each place has a convenient summary including the:
Gallery
Description
Highlights
Average Price
Review Score
Review Example
The Best Hotels In Miyajima
Luxury
The Itsukushima Iroha ─ 9.3
The Grand Hotel Arimoto ─ 9.2
Boutique
Iwaso Ryokan ─ 9.1
Hotel Miyajima Villa ─ 9.0
Best Value
Mizuhaso ─ 9.0
Honorable Mention
The Yamaichi Bekkan ─ 9.5
The Best Luxury Hotels In Miyajima
1. The Itsukushima Iroha
The Iroha Hotel, also known as the Itsukushima Iroha (厳島いろは), is the only officially labelled 5-star hotel on Miyajima. Perfectly situated just a 3-minute walk from the ferry terminal, the Iroha features carefully designed rooms, phenomenal views, amazing rooftop onsen facilities, and 2 incredible restaurants. The two onsite restaurants are very popular, Akushu focuses on finely crafted Western cuisine, while Miyajima Yohei specialises in traditional Japanese cuisine.
• Highlights:
─ Only a 3-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
─ Two incredible onsite restaurants serving Western and Japanese cuisine.
─ The only 5-star hotel in Miyajima, with phenomenal views and an amazing rooftop onsen.
• Price Range: $400 - $1800 per night
• Review Score: 9.3 ★ (150+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Everything was perfect, the staff were so friendly and helpful, the location is amazing, a 3 minute walk from the ferry and right on the main street. Our hotel room had an incredible view where you could see the floating Torii and the whole bay. The dinner was super delicious and the Japanese breakfast too. The outdoor baths (onsen) on the roof were incredible with unreal views as you can see the ocean and the torii. The only shame is we didn’t stay longer, wish we booked an extra night here."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. The Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto
The Arimoto is an exquisite property that prides itself on being the oldest accommodation on the island, having been passed down through the generations for over 400 years. The staff and service here are beyond exceptional, with kindness, attention to detail, and dedication to the happiness of each guest. The rooms, facilities, and architectural design all come together to create an unforgettable experience that will make you wish you booked an extra night.
• Highlights:
─ Stunning, luxurious rooms, and incredible onsen facilities.
─ Sophisticated design, luxurious amenities, and amazing views.
─ Beautiful location right behind the famous Itsukushima Shrine.
• Price Range: $450 - $1200 per night
• Review Score: 9.2 ★ (1200+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Beautiful hotel, modern but also traditional. We loved the kaiseki 10-course dinner and the breakfast. We chose the Japanese traditional room with the futons and it was a wonderful experience. The onsen was wonderful. You could enjoy it indoors or outdoors and the massage chair was perfect. The staff were courteous and attentive. The shuttle bus from the ferry to the hotel and on the return was wonderful. It's situated in a great location. We were able to see the Torii shrine during high tide and low tide. Loved this place."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
The Best Boutique Hotels In Miyajima
1. The Iwaso Ryokan
The Iwaso is one of the most unique traditional ryokans in Japan. Nestled in the maple leaf forest behind the famous Shrine, the Iwaso Ryokan features 4 detached one-story cottages plus a 5-story main building. Each room is distinctively charming and aesthetic, the architecture and design stays true to the 170-year-old heritage while maintaining high standards through careful renovations. Originally built in 1854, the Iwaso Ryokan has long been a sought-after retreat for Japanese celebrities and even members of the imperial family.
• Highlights:
─ One of the most unique traditional ryokans in Japan, with a 170-year-old history. ─ Detached one-story cottages offer a serene and exclusive experience.
─ Gorgeous location surrounded by maple trees, and right behind the famous Itsukushima Shrine.
• Price Range: $500 - $700 per night
• Review Score: 9.1 ★ (500+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"An absolutely beautiful traditional ryokan set right on the edge of the park and surrounded by gardens. When I arrived, I received such a warm welcome and was escorted to my room and given tea, a snack, clothing and towels for my stay. My room was spacious and tastefully decorated - seating area by the window was a highlight to sit at in the morning and write or read, surrounded by trees and nature. The onsen was immaculately clean and relaxing. I was a little nervous about the traditional kaiseki dinner and breakfast because I’ve never tried anything like that before, but it was delicious and thoughtfully presented. The service was exceptional and it was great having the same host for both dinner and breakfast."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. Hotel Miyajima Villa
Hotel Miyajima Villa is a beautiful modern villa-style hotel that has a range of interesting features that set it apart from other hotels. They provide one of the most incredible onsen experiences in Japan using a specialised waterproof tatami floor which is very rare to find in Japan. Not only does this create an amazing aesthetic, it also has stunning ocean views that look out onto Hiroshima Bay. They also have a lounge that offers free drinks, snacks, and even ice cream, perfect for cooling down after the onsen. There's a lovely restaurant offering a classy buffet with a wide range of Western and Japanese cuisine, including some nice vegan options, and the location is right next to the ferry port, making travel super convenient.
• Highlights:
─ Villa-style accommodation, only a 2-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
─ An amazing restaurant serving a wide variety of Western and Japanese cuisine.
─ Incredible onsen featuring rare waterproof tatami floors and ocean views.
• Price Range: $250 - $1050 per night
• Review Score: 9.0 ★ (250+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This hotel is directly across from the ferry terminal so it was so convenient with all our luggage. Lovely and clean with a spacious room that even had a massage chair. Beds were super comfy. The stay was really special, with touches like a lounge area near reception for guests to help themselves to unlimited tea, coffee, soft drinks, cake, biscuits and ice cream. Our son was in heaven! The buffet breakfast was delicious, especially the French toast. The hotel has a beautiful onsen which was a nice way to wind down in the evenings."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
The Best Value Hotels In Miyajima
1. The Mikuniya Hostel & Guest House
The Mikuniya is a lovely guesthouse offering beautiful private rooms and gorgeous dormitory beds. The private rooms are large enough for a big family and are filled with tatami mats, offering a charming and traditional atmosphere. The dorm rooms are very aesthetic and beautifully designed, giving a warm and friendly vibe perfect for a hostel. This is without a doubt the best hostel in Miyajima, and quite possibly the best guesthouse too, with a staggering average review score of 9.2 from over 1600 reviews. The staff also constantly receive praise for being kind, friendly, and super helpful.
• Highlights:
─ The best hostel in Miyajima, offering aesthetically designed dorm rooms.
─ A lovely guesthouse offering spacious private rooms filled with tatami mats.
─ Located only a 5-minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine, and a 2-minute walk to the maple leaf forest.
• Price Range: $45 - $300 per night
• Review Score: 9.2 ★ (1600+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This was definitely the best accommodation of our entire stay (even including some fancy hotels). The staff are so friendly, gave excellent suggestions and helped us whenever needed. The guesthouse was comfortable and clean. Both dinner and breakfast were simple but delicious. We loved our room, with the big windows overlooking the garden and the scenery of the island. Loved the experience of sleeping in a traditional room. The shared bathroom was clean and conveniently located. There were plenty of games in the shared living room and the other guests were polite and friendly. Such an amazing place to stay."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. Mizuhaso
The Mizuhaso is a wonderful guesthouse that offers beautiful rooms in a quiet location at a very humble price. You'll often find ryokans charging double the price for this level of quality. It's located in a quiet area away from the crowds but still within a 5-minute walking distance to the Itsukushima Shrine. They provide luxurious private bathtubs which are the perfect remedy after a long day of sightseeing, and the food they serve for dinner and breakfast is some of the best Japanese cuisine you'll find on Miyajima.
• Highlights:
─ Amazing value for money, half the price of similar ryokans for the same quality.
─ Private luxurious bathtubs in each room, plus amazing Japanese cuisine served during dinner and breakfast.
─ In a quiet location away from the crowds and only a 5-minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine, and a 10-minute walk from the Omotesando shopping street.
• Price Range: $150 - $250 per night
• Review Score: 9.0 ★ (300+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Very cozy and private hotel. Beds are super comfortable, location is so nice. Very relaxing and calm. Staff are very friendly and make you feel at home. Large quiet traditional tatami rooms. Wonderful private baths that are lovely to soak in. Dinner and breakfast were excellent, rivalling ryokans that are twice the price. The Japanese breakfast was the best we've had in Japan. Definitely recommend going for a stroll after dinner to see the sights at night."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
Honorable Mention
1. Yamaichi Bekkan
The Yamaichi Bekkan guesthouse receives an honorable mention for its astonishingly high average review score of 9.5 from over 400 reviews, customers absolutely love staying here. It's located right next to the ferry port and has a unique charm as a family-run business, this is the perfect place if you want to escape the typical hotel vibe. It's a 3-story building with a restaurant on the ground floor, the owner on the 2nd floor, and the guest rooms on the 3rd floor. The owner and staff receive constant praise for their warmth and kindness, and the restaurant receives incredible reviews for its full-course traditional Japanese cuisine prepared fresh daily.
• Highlights:
─ Charming family-run guesthouse with traditional Japanese rooms.
─ Traditional Japanese restaurant offering incredible full-course kaiseki cuisine.
─ Only a 2-minute walk from the ferry port.
• Price Range: $200 - $250 per night
• Review Score: 9.5 ★ (400+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"The best meal we had in our 3 weeks in Japan! The place is ran by a very lovely family and it only has 4 rooms, a reall hidden gem, they welcomed us with so much kindness. We loved sleeping in a traditional ryokan-style room and enjoyed our Japanese style breakfast. Everything about our stay was exceptional. Hands-down the best service we experienced while in Japan."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
