Miyajima-Chaya — Sukiyaki & Sake in a Registered Historic Townhouse

On Takimachi Street—the quiet slope leading to Daishoin Temple—Miyajima Chaya is housed in a fully restored Taisho-era townhouse that is officially registered as a Traditional Building of Cultural Significance. The neighborhood was once home to temple priests, and much of its wooden architecture remains untouched, creating a peaceful contrast to the crowded waterfront of Miyajima. The street retains the rhythm of an older Japan: low eaves, tiled roofs, and homes that have watched pilgrims pass for generations.

 Miyajima Chaya takes its name from the historic word “chaya”, not simply a café but a place for travelers to pause—eating, drinking, and resting before continuing their journey. True to that spirit, the restaurant welcomes guests throughout the day and stays open until 9:30 p.m., making it a calm stop before catching the last ferry back to the mainland. Drinks and sweets are available for takeout as well.

Its specialty is sukiyaki. Lunch offers a casual ¥2,000 Kuroge Wagyu set, while dinner can become a full A5-grade course reaching ¥20,000. As the seasons shift, so does the menu. In autumn, the restaurant serves matsutake sukiyaki, while winter features oysters harvested along the Seto Inland Sea. Though sukiyaki is the focus, the chef accepts reservations for custom menus—making the restaurant suitable for anniversaries, business dinners, or guests seeking something beyond beef. The menu now also features shabu-shabu made with Momiji-buta, a premium pork raised in Hiroshima and valued for its tender texture and clean, sweet flavor.

Lunch is open to walk-ins. Dinner, however, requires reservations and is served in private tatami rooms that offer the intimacy of a traditional Japanese home. After dark, the small counter becomes a relaxed bar where guests can enjoy sake or beer in a quieter setting, without committing to a full course meal.

The building’s charm lies in its history. Constructed in the Taisho period and renovated with care, it preserves original wooden beams, sliding doors, and soft, paper-filtered light. The owner opened Miyajima Chaya after meeting the family who owned the house, transforming a historic residence into a place where both visitors and locals can slow down, eat well, and feel at home.

Not everything on the menu is formal. Candied apples appear in summer alongside shaved ice—a playful nod to childhood festivals and a reminder that comfort can be simple. Whether a full dinner, a bowl of sukiyaki after a temple walk, or a quick treat on the way to the ferry, the restaurant invites each guest to enjoy the island at their own pace.

Miyajima Chaya is not just a place to eat; it is a quiet return to the kind of hospitality that once greeted travelers on mountain roads. For those seeking a slower moment away from the shrine crowds, it offers a warm and quietly memorable stop along the path to Daishoin temple.