On Miyajima, the shrine visit and lunch often follow the same walk: from the ferry pier, Omotesandō’s shopping arcade leads towards Itsukushima Shrine and the island’s historic lanes. The food choice comes down to two Seto Inland Sea staples: oysters farmed in Hiroshima Bay and anago, conger eel served over rice. They are not interchangeable. An oyster set offers several textures, while anago-meshi is a warm rice bowl built around one ingredient.
Kakiya sits along the shopping street and focuses on grilled and fried oysters, oyster rice, and oysters preserved in oil; its official menu also lists a set that combines several dishes. It is convenient if you want to eat before or after the shrine without taking a long detour, although the area gets busy at lunchtime. Kakiya and local listings note that hours can change by season and that the restaurant may close when oysters sell out, so arriving before mid-afternoon is sensible.
Fujitaya offers a counterpoint: its anago-meshi is a more focused dish, served in a traditional dining room on a quieter lane. The official website lists opening from 11 am to 5 pm, last orders at 4 pm, and no reservations; it therefore works better for an early lunch than as a late stop at the end of a walk. Visitors often praise the eel and rice, but also mention queues. The menu difference matters for groups: Kakiya is almost entirely for oyster lovers, while Fujitaya concentrates on anago.
The plan also depends on the shrine and ferry. Itsukushima has seasonal opening hours, and the great torii looks different as the tide changes; consult the tourism association’s tide calendar to see whether a walk to the gate may be possible or whether it will be surrounded by water. Leave time to return to the pier and check the last boat, particularly if you add the ropeway or Mount Misen. Choose a restaurant by its hours and your preference rather than by whichever queue you see on Omotesandō.
Profiles of the recommended places: Kakiya Oyster Restaurant · Fujitaya Anago-meshi
Miyajima oysters and anago-meshi
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Kakiya builds its entire menu around Hiroshima oysters. Its own menu leaves out meat and fish and focuses on different preparations: grilled and fried oysters, rice cooked with oyster broth, gratin and oysters preserved in oil. The restaurant says it buys directly from producers with whom it has lon
Hiroshima oyster specialist
Fujitaya is a long-established Miyajima restaurant whose menu centres on anago-meshi: grilled conger eel served over rice with a sweet-and-savoury glaze. The dish is rooted in fishing and cooking around the Seto Inland Sea; here, a simple bowl lets the seared eel, its delicate richness and the rice
Conger eel rice bowl
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Kakiya Oyster Restaurant ↗
Primary source
Kakiya official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kakiya Oyster Restaurant ↗
Primary source
Miyajima Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kakiya Oyster Restaurant ↗
Primary source
Kakiya official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kakiya Oyster Restaurant ↗
Primary source
Official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kakiya Oyster Restaurant ↗
Primary source
Kakiya official site · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Fujitaya Anago-meshi ↗
Primary source
Fujitaya official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Fujitaya Anago-meshi ↗
Primary source
Fujitaya official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Fujitaya Anago-meshi ↗
Primary source
Official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Fujitaya Anago-meshi ↗
Primary source
Fujitaya official site · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Itsukushima Shrine · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Itsukushima Shrine · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Miyajima Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Kakiya official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Fujitaya official website · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kakiya Oyster Restaurant ↗
Primary source
Miyajima Tourism Association · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Kakiya exact-venue Google rating ↗
Secondary source
Postcard · Accessed October 12, 2026
Exact venue record displays Google 4.4/5 from 1,574 reviews, checked 2026-10-12.
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Fujitaya exact-venue reviews ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Exact Miyajima location shows Google 4.2/1,191 and separately Tripadvisor 4.0/88; checked 2026-10-12.