We travelled down from Tokyo for an overnight stay. Trip can be done - with time to see Hiroshima - easily. We found it a beautiful and unique experience; something I will remember forever. Also a very Japanese experience. The island itself, was also worth the trip. Make sure you walk down to the Torii Gate after dark (torches provided) to take in the atmosphere without the crowds.

Only one point - I had emailed asking for (and double checking) that I could get a seafood free meal but my dinner had tuna, salmon, raw fish, cooked fish and a prawn! But there was otherwise enough to eat, and the host was so lovely I couldn't hold a grudge.

Expensive! But if you can manage it - go!

We booked this ryokan after reading reviews on Tripadvisor & comparing prices for other ryokans on Miyajima. Momiji-so was distinctly better value than the other places with the only major down side being a lack of any onsen. I was also pretty excited by the photos & description of the grandma/host/landlady.

I am so glad we booked this ryokan. Yes, it is expensive but relatively it's good value for staying on the island. If it's too much money then don't stay on the island! If you're able to splash out a little, then I recommend Momiji-so.

We arrived at the ferry port and I grappled with the payphone and called the number of the ryokan (which was helpfully on a big board in front of the public phone). Even with my diabolically poor Japanese they understood who I was and that we were waiting at the port. It was pouring with rain and it was such a relief to have them come pick us up in their little people carrier and drive us up the wiggly road to the ryokan. It is away from the main hubbub - secluded in the park.

As soon as we were shown to our room the landlady (unbelievably adorable tiny old Japanese lady) brought us some traditional Japanese tea and a traditional Miyajima speciality cake type thing (delicious).

The room was gorgeous. Not very big but with huge windows on two sides overlooking the woods and a koi pond. We then went out for a walk around the mountain, they gave us brollies before we left.

By the time we came back our futons were laid out for us. Very comfortable. We used the family bathroom which was much bigger than the little bath in our room and sentoh style, with a window looking out on to more trees and lovely nature in general. Put on the yukatas that were in the drawer and went to the dining room for our kaseiki dinner.

At first I thought I'd deeply offended them by wearing a yukata to dinner as grandma-san pounced on me and started undoing my belt! Fortunately she was not disrobing me in fury but skillfully adjusting the yukata so I was wearing it properly.

The dinner was amazing. Each part was delicious (we had a similar dinner at another ryokan in Hakone a few days before that didn't even come close to being as good). The Hiroshima beef was especially super-delicious and grandma-san explains what each thing is and encourages you to eat ALL of it (even if it looks like garnish). Be warned though, alcoholic drinks cost extra and the beers are large bottles so one might be enough for 2 people.

We had Japanese breakfast which was ridiculously filling and very tasty. Though such a savoury breakfast is difficult for a European to get used to. You can have Western breakfast if you request it.

When we checked out I'd discovered that they'd cleaned my shoes for me! They gave us a lift with our luggage to the port where we kept our bags in coin lockers while we explored the island some more.

The hospitality was excellent, very warm and very Japanese. Even if you can't stay the night at Miyajima - try the cafe they run during the day. If grandma-san is cooking, you won't be disappointed.

We had 3 nights here in January - it was the highlight of the trip for all of us, 12, 15 and parents. We had a day wandering around the island, a day in Hiroshima and a third day on the island. We did a number of the walks.
We were initially a bit put off by the look of the exterior of the ryokan - it was winter and there was blue plastic tarps on lots of areas outside. Given it was expensive I did wonder if I'd made a terrible mistake, ESP as you walk past the ryokan iwaso which looked lovely. However once we settled in it was fabulous.we had 2 rooms, both of which were gorgeous and a really good size. The pond and river and outlook were gorgeous. The futons were the most deliciously comfortable that we had anywhere - the extra attention to a couple of extra layers was v appreciated.
The only issue for us was the cold - it snowed while we were there and the little balcony areas were freezing, as was the bathroom, until we ran the aircon v high the second night.
We had 2 dinners which were excellent - and different on each night. Our breakfasts were western and also good. Mama - San worked out what the kids would/ wouldn't eat and was helpful in encouraging the younger one to try different things. We thought her English was good and she was a delight.
So while it was expensive - it is the part the kids loved most, and discussed and largely because of the 77 yr old mama San, who really made the experience.

Our time in Miyajima, and particularly, our stay in Momiji-so, was the highlight of the whole Japan trip. The relaxing atmosphere, friendly people, beautiful place, and amazing food just made us felt that we were in heaven :).

This place is really out of the way, and definitely not luggage friendly, so having transport from ferry terminal to Momiji-so was an absolute necessity, and they provided that free of charge.

5 of us (and one baby) were the only guest that night, which made us felt really at home. Both rooms were nice, the one with the fish pond is nicer though. As mentioned by previous reviews, the Kaiseki dinner is amazing, and grandma will make sure we eat everthing (nicely and with some explanation) :). Oh and grandma made special food for the baby.

If you are looking for luxury stay, this may not be the place, but if you are looking for a place that gives a sense of Japanese home, and at the same time let you experience japanese culture, this is the place.

To sum up, it was the best moment we had in Japan. We would definitely want to come back if we could. Thanks to the staff for making our stay special.