A Reflection on Miyajima's Backstreets: Where Local Life Thrives

Miyajima is an island famous for the magnificent O-Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Despite being a major tourist destination, it is also a vibrant home to a local community.

The island welcomes over 4 million visitors annually, who come to worship at the shrine or hike up Mt. Misen. Yet, the island’s permanent population is only about 1,400.

Step one street back from the busy seaside path, and you'll find countless ordinary homes where the residents live their daily lives. These are mostly common, modern Japanese houses, completely devoid of any "special" tourist atmosphere. It's a reminder that even on an island visited by people from all over the world, the normal lives of its residents continue, business as usual.

Take a stroll down these less-traveled paths: you might find a fish shop, a small grocery store, or two ladies chatting right by their front door. Of course, Miyajima is a special place, and it's wonderful to enjoy its extraordinary atmosphere. However, I highly recommend also appreciating the chance to catch a glimpse of the very ordinary lives being lived here, just behind the scenes.