Miyajima Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🧾 VAT |
10% (standard Consumer Tax). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥450,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥18,000,000) - Note: Land on the island is highly restricted. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥280,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥11,200,000) in Hatsukaichi. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥400,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥24,000,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥250,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥15,000,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. ¥350,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥28,000,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. ¥220,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥17,600,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
Effective rate approx. 30.6%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
20.42% (standard for non-residents). |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Resident-based taxation (Worldwide income if classified as 'permanent resident'). |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
45% plus 10% local inhabitant tax. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, applicable to foreign subsidiaries with low tax rates. |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Fixed Assets Tax at 1.4% of the assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Real Estate Acquisition Tax (approx. 3-4%) plus Registration Tax. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Japan Digital Nomad Visa (6 months) allows remote work under specific bilateral agreements, but income is generally taxable if staying long-term. |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Miyajima (Itsukushima), Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan |
| 👥 Population |
Approximately 1,500 residents |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 65 Mbps; fiber available in most Ryokans, pocket WiFi is recommended for outdoor use. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
1 JPY ≈ 0.0067 USD. Japan Post Bank ATM at the ferry terminal is the most reliable for international cards. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power |
100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Flat two-pin). |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Ubigi (eSIM), Sakura Mobile, or Mobal (pickup at Hiroshima Airport or major post offices). |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
7-Eleven ATMs (mainland Hatsukaichi) or Wise/Revolut are widely used. |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Traditional Ryokans and small guesthouses. Booking.com and Agoda are preferred over Airbnb here. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Moderate; major shrines and hotels accept cards, but small street food stalls are cash-only. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Limited; Omotenashi Hostel Miyajima (on the mainland side) is a popular nomad hub. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Miyajima Guest House Mikuniya (approx. ¥4,500/night). |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Near Itsukushima Shrine for the iconic 'Torii' views and evening atmosphere. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Miyajimaguchi (Mainland side) for cheaper rent, 24/7 supermarkets, and better transit access. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
Shock Hall (Hiroshima City, 45 mins away) - ¥2,000/day. No dedicated coworking on the island. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Sarasvati (Coffee roaster with quiet second floor) - approx. ¥600 for a latte. |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Hiroshima Creative Meetup (Monthly in Hiroshima City) or 'Startup Hiroshima' events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Hiroshima International Center events and 'Internations' Hiroshima chapter. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
JapanTaxi or GO App (pickups occur mostly on the mainland; very few cars on the island). |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Cycle Shop Kanayamachi (Mainland) or rental bikes at some guesthouses like Mikuniya. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Tsutsumigaura Natural Park Beach (on the east side of the island). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Ibex Airlines (operating out of Hiroshima Airport - HIJ). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
ANA (All Nippon Airways) and JAL (Japan Airlines). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Sanyo Expressway via the Hatsukaichi Interchange. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
JR Miyajimaguchi Station (connected via 10-minute ferry to the island). |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass (¥1,000+), covers ferries and Hiroshima tams. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
JR Sanyo Line to Hiroshima (25 mins, ¥420) or the Hiroden Streetcar (70 mins, ¥270). |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital (Hiroshima City) with English support. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Zen meditation sessions at Daisho-in Temple (donations welcome/prior booking required). |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Hatsukaichi City Sports Center (Mainland, ¥500 per visit). |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Coin Laundry near Miyajimaguchi Station (approx. ¥400 per wash). |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
UberEats (Mainland only; no delivery service to the island itself). |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Grilled Oysters (Kaki-no-dote-nabe) at Kakiya (¥1,500 - ¥3,000). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Omotenashi Hostel Kitchen or 'Towa' (Vegetarian-friendly cafe on the island). |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Momiji Manju (Maple leaf cakes) at Momido (approx. ¥100 per piece). |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
YouMe Town Hatsukaichi (Massive mall on the mainland). |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Amazon Japan and Rakuten (Delivery to island Ryokans is possible). |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Aeon Net Super (Delivers to the ferry port area). |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Nagarekawa District (Hiroshima City) - 45-60 mins away. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Miyajima Brewery (Craft beer overlooking the sea; approx. ¥800 per pint). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Akai Torii (Casual wine/sake bar near the shopping street). |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Omotesando Shopping Street (Famous for Nigiri-ten fish cakes). |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Les Clos (French-inspired bakery and cafe). |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Floating Torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine (Entrance ¥300). |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Itsukushima Treasure Hall and the Miyajima History & Folklore Museum (¥300). |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Five-Story Pagoda (Gojunoto) and Senjokaku (The Hall of 1000 Mats). |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Daisho-in Temple (Esoteric Buddhism hub at the foot of Mt. Misen). |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Kangen-sai Festival (Lunar calendar July/August) and the Miyajima Water Fireworks. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Machiya Street (Historical residential backstreet). |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
The Noh Stage at Itsukushima Shrine (only for specific festivals). |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Omotesando Arcade (Daily tourist market for crafts and snacks). |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Occasional traditional Gagaku music performances at the Shrine. |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Decorative manhole covers and traditional wood-carved rice scoops (Shamoji). |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Momiji Manju making at the Miyajima Traditional Crafts Center (¥880). |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Galerie Miyawaki (Small contemporary space near the ferry). |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Kikaigahara traditional residences. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
The world's largest wooden rice scoop (Shamoji) displayed on the shopping street. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Mount Misen (Hiking or Ropeway access for views of the Seto Inland Sea). |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Setonaikai National Park (Miyajima is a core part of this park). |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The mountain trails (Momijidani, Daisho-in, and Omoto paths). |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Shishiiwa Observatory (at the top of the Miyajima Ropeway, ¥1,100 one way). |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Momijidani Park (Acer valley). |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Tsutsumigaura Campsite (Permitted in designated BBQ areas only). |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) - service available via hotel receptions. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Apple Hiroshima (Hiroshima City Center). |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Hatsukaichi City Sports Center (Mainland). |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Hiroshima YMCA Wellness & Language Center (Hiroshima City). |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Hatsukaichi City Library (Mainland near the station). |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Miyajima Citizen’s Center (Local administrative office on the island). |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
GiGO Hiroshima Hondoori (Large arcade in Hiroshima City). |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Pachinko Parlors located near Miyajimaguchi Station (Mainland). |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING MIYAJIMA