Business
- VAT
- 10% (standard Consumer 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.
- 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.
Essentials
- 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.
- 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).
Working and Networking
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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).