Summer in Hiroshima means fireworks, summer festivals, and beer. Granted, there are many wonderful beer gardens to relax at on a hot summer’s night, but many people forget (or don’t know) that the island of Itsukushima, commonly known as Miyajima, has its own patio (i.e. beer garden) where you can enjoy the view while you sip that golden beverage.

Miyajima Brewery

The only craft brewery in Hatsukaichi, Miyajima Brewery uses the natural spring water of Miyajima Island to give the beer its distinct flavor.

For the best summer experience, drink at the beer garden. Access it via the main island frontage or from the back entrance located just off Omotesando, at the far end of the street, closest to Itsukushima Shrine. It serves the full range of beers from the brewery as well as other alcoholic beverages (like Miyajima Tombo, which is shochu made from the island’s mineral water) and a food menu designed to complement the beer.

Choosing the Right Beer for You

There are several varieties of beer, each with a different taste. If you have enough time, it’s worth trying all the varieties! If you don’t have enough time, this guide should help you pick the flavors you’re most likely to enjoy:

  • Miyajima Caramel Blonde: Unfiltered beer based on a traditional German recipe from Cologne.
  • Hiroshima Red Ale: Made with two types of hops, it has a bitter taste with an aroma that combines citrus and berries.
  • Miyajima Momiji Lager: Japanese rice lager, named due to being the same color as the momiji leaves on the island.
  • Miyajima Pale Ale: An English pale ale that uses local hops.
  • Miyajima Weizen: A German hefeweizen usually sold in cans but also available in bottles and even on tap in some places.

There are also limited edition beers released according to the season. In the past, these have included:

  • Miyajima Oyster Stout: A dark beer with a surprisingly mild taste, made with oysters from Miyajima.
  • Miyajima Honey Weizen Bock: Infused with local honey.
  • Hiroshima Setoda Lemon Ale: Natural lemon flavor from Hiroshima lemons.

Purchasing Beer

Since you’ll only find Miyajima Beer in select supermarkets and not in any convenience stores, you’ll usually need to make a trip to one of the local department stores (such as SOGO, Mitsukoshi, or Fukuya) if you want to purchase beer.

Oysters and Beer

Despite the fact that summer is not the height of oyster season, oysters are plentiful at Miyajima and are the perfect food to complement your beer. The grilled oysters are the pick, as they won’t overpower your beer or leave any aftertaste that will spoil the next drop. Served with a slice of lemon, the oysters are slightly salty and not too heavy, satisfying your hunger yet leaving room for another beer.

You can find both the beer and the oysters along Omotesando, the main shopping street or arcade, which is located approximately three minutes’ walk from Miyajima Pier. The prices differ slightly from shop to shop, with one beer costing approximately 500 yen and two grilled oysters in their shell for about 400 yen.

Toomore Chiang, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons