Miyajima Sanbashimae Square

Miyajima Pier Front Plaza is a large open square located immediately outside Miyajima Pier, the main gateway to Miyajima, which is used by approximately 4.6 million visitors annually. You may also encounter wild deer here. It is fair to say that almost everyone arriving on Miyajima by boat passes through this plaza.
Within the plaza, you can find three notable stone monuments. The first is a statue of Taira no Kiyomori, who deeply revered Itsukushima Shrine and made major contributions to its development; this statue was erected relatively recently in 2014. The second is a monument marking Miyajima’s designation as one of the "Three Scenic Views of Japan," alongside Amanohashidate in Kyoto and Matsushima in Miyagi. The third is a World Heritage Registration Commemorative Monument built in 2000 to celebrate Miyajima’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This monument is also a popular photo spot, as the circular opening in the center perfectly frames the iconic Great Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine—definitely worth trying to capture. Access to Miyajima Pier Front Plaza is extremely convenient, as it is located right next to Miyajima Pier, which is reached by a 10-minute ferry ride from Miyajimaguchi.