Tucked away just off the main approach to the UNESCO World Heritage Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Handmade Workshop offers one of the island’s most memorable craft experiences. Their specialty? Instant “photo transfer” printing that lets you transform your travel photos into personalized wooden rice paddles (shamoji), keychains, and straps—creating a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir you can take home the same day.
Last month, I brought my two daughters (one in 3rd grade, the other in kindergarten) for their first Miyajima craft experience. “Wait, the photos we just took can go on a rice paddle?” they exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement. Beyond photo transfer, the workshop offers traditional woodburning (branding) with classic Miyajima motifs like maple leaves, deer, and torii gates, plus authentic Heian-period costume dressing. It’s perfect for families, couples, and friend groups alike. Located just a 5-minute walk from Miyajima Pier, it’s the ideal spot to turn your sightseeing photos into lasting keepsakes—and it doubles as a wonderful rainy-day activity when you need a break from walking.
Miyajima Handmade Workshop: Renowned for Miyajima’s Craft Experiences
What makes Miyajima Handmade Workshop so appealing is the perfect balance of convenience and quality results. For photo transfer, you simply print images straight from your smartphone or digital camera on-site, arrange them on your chosen wooden base, and watch as they’re transferred right before your eyes. The pricing is straightforward and all-inclusive—covering the base item, photo printing, and any text you want to add—so you can create an authentic made-in-Miyajima souvenir whenever inspiration strikes.
Rice paddles come in three standard sizes: Small (approximately 210 mm total length), Medium (approximately 360 mm), and Large (approximately 430 mm). Photo transfer prices run around ¥800 for Small, ¥1,700 for Medium, and ¥2,200 for Large. Our family chose the small size for our group photo. When we tried using it to serve chirashi sushi back home, it sparked wonderful conversations—”Remember how much fun we had that day in Miyajima?” A souvenir that’s both decorative and functional? That’s what I call a win-win.
There’s also an extra-large “Biwa Shamoji” for those who want something truly impressive, plus adorable shamoji-, torii-, and maple leaf-shaped keychains (photo transfer: ¥950) that are popular with visitors of all ages. You can add customizations like “text + illustration” on the back (¥200) or an additional “photo transfer” (¥300), and there’s a UV-protective spray to prevent fading (starting from ¥50 for Small size). Since it’s located right along the main tourist route and the entire process takes only about 10 minutes, it’s wonderfully convenient for quick stops with children or as a sheltered activity on rainy days.
The workshop sits about a 5-minute walk from Miyajima Pier, making it one of the first stops you’ll encounter as you head toward Itsukushima Shrine. Here you can have photos from your smartphone or camera printed onto rice paddles, straps, or other small items and walk out with them immediately—no waiting, no shipping. It’s ideal when you want to create original souvenirs and photo art that truly capture your visit to this World Heritage site.
Beyond photo transfer, you can enjoy traditional woodburning (branding) where you stamp patterns into wood and leather, as well as Heian-period costume dressing for that authentic historical Japanese experience. The branding experience does require a reservation, so calling ahead or booking online will ensure the smoothest visit possible.
Located right at the convenient entrance to Omotesando Shopping Street, you can easily pop in while browsing the shops and food stalls. If you’re traveling with little ones who need nursing facilities, the Miyajima Tourist Information Center on the second floor has a dedicated nursing room nearby—always reassuring to know as a parent.
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The shop’s atmosphere, filled with various souvenirs
Handmade wooden and ceramic souvenirs line the shelves throughout the shop. Because each piece is individually crafted by hand, popular items do sell out and can take time to restock—which only adds to their uniqueness.
My daughters’ eyes absolutely lit up as they gazed around. “Which one should we choose?” they kept asking, pointing at different items. There’s something about handmade pieces that radiates warmth—even just browsing feels special.
The shop features a carefully curated selection of quintessentially Japanese gifts—clearly handpicked by the owner—that makes browsing enjoyable even for international visitors. The kokeshi dolls especially caught my attention; when you see them lined up together, each hand-painted face reveals its own personality and nostalgic charm.
My older daughter pointed at one and said, “Look, this kokeshi is smiling!” She was fascinated by how each one had unique facial expressions that only handmade craftsmanship can create. Pro tip: there’s a discount available for Miyajima woodburning experiences when you make advance reservations, so planning ahead can save you a bit of money.
I tried the branding experience
You can freely mix and match designs like torii gates, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, deer, and “Miyajima” text to create your own unique pattern. The staff has thoughtfully refined the branding irons over time so they’re surprisingly easy to handle, even for complete beginners.
My younger daughter (the kindergartener) enthusiastically insisted, “I want to do it all by myself!” but for safety, I helped guide her hands. Meanwhile, my husband naturally fell into the role of photographer, and everyone had their part to play—it felt like true teamwork.
I decided to brand a traditional rice paddle and, for something a bit different, a “Postcard Maple Leaf” that you can actually drop straight into a mailbox.
The children were intrigued. “What’s a postal maple leaf?” they asked. It’s a clever little item where you can attach a stamp and mail it directly to someone—perfect for sending to grandparents as a special surprise from your trip.
Procedure
① Hold the branding iron firmly and press down with steady upward force for about 4 seconds.
② Then press down firmly for about 2 seconds each on the bottom, left, and right sides to ensure even contact.
☆ The key is keeping the handle centered as you apply pressure up, down, left, and right. It’s finished in no time at all!
My eldest daughter concentrated intently and pressed carefully, creating a beautifully crisp brand mark. My youngest admitted, “Mine’s a little crooked,” but honestly, that slight imperfection only added to the handmade charm and made it even more special.
Branding Experience: Small Rice Paddle (¥500) / Postcard Maple Leaf (¥700)
You can create meaningful Miyajima souvenirs at remarkably friendly prices. I chose the cute small rice paddle (21 cm × 6.5 cm), which is the most practical size for home use. The Medium (36 cm × 11.5 cm) and Large (43 cm × 13.5 cm) are festival-size showpieces—perfect if you want a souvenir with real visual impact or plan to display it prominently.
As a family, we reasoned, “The smaller one would be much easier to actually use at home,” and chose accordingly. It’s proven to be the right decision—it’s compact, easy to store in our kitchen, and even the kids can handle it comfortably.
From my perspective as a local mom, weekdays between 2 PM and 4 PM tend to be the quietest times at the workshop, so I’d recommend visiting during that window if you prefer to avoid crowds and have more personalized attention from staff.
Even long after you return home, these pieces serve as standout Miyajima souvenirs that spark memories. The Postcard Maple Leaf can be mailed anywhere within Japan with just a regular stamp; for international destinations, simply slip it into a stamped envelope. The rice paddles are genuinely practical too—you can use them when making chirashi sushi or fried rice, or simply display them as kitchen decor. When we actually used ours for dinner, it naturally brought up fond conversations about “that wonderful day we spent on Miyajima.”
Why not create a truly unique souvenir at Miyajima Handmade Workshop, where you can craft memories that exist nowhere else but here on this special island?
Please note that information is subject to change. We recommend checking the shop’s official website for the latest details before your visit.
Don’t forget to visit Itsukushima Shrine either before or after your workshop experience. At just a 6-minute walk from here, you can enjoy the special experience of touring the World Heritage site while carrying your personally handmade rice paddle—how’s that for a unique travel moment?
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Experience Menus and How to Enjoy (Photo Transfer, Branding, Heian Costumes)
Photo transfer is the workshop’s signature experience: you print your travel photos directly onto a wooden base to create a personalized “photo rice paddle” or “original strap.” Family photos and even pet pictures turn out beautifully, and the best part is you can take your finished item home immediately—no waiting for shipping or processing.
Our family chose a group photo we’d taken with the iconic Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine in the background. “Let’s definitely use this one!” the children agreed unanimously, pointing at the screen. The woodburning (branding) experience offers quick satisfaction through a simple process of combining Miyajima-themed motifs—maple leaves, deer, torii gates—choosing from six different pattern stamps to create your own design.
The Heian-period costume dressing includes elaborate men’s robes (kariginu), adorable children’s outfits, and elegant accessories like folding fans to complete the historical look. Here’s a money-saving tip: when you combine the costume experience with photo transfer, you get a discount—¥100 off Small photos, ¥200 off Medium, and ¥300 off Large. This mix-and-match approach of “photo + branding + costume” lets you preserve your Miyajima memories in truly original, multi-layered forms.
Each individual activity takes only about 10 minutes, making them remarkably easy to fit into your Itsukushima Shrine itinerary without feeling rushed. It also proved to be a lifesaver when unexpected rain started—we ducked inside and ended up with a wonderful memory instead of just getting wet.
Price, Size, and Customization Guide
Rice paddle bodies come in three standard sizes to suit different preferences and uses: Small (approximately 210 mm total length / 65 mm width), Medium (approximately 360 mm / 115 mm), and Large (approximately 430 mm / 135 mm). Photo transfer pricing runs approximately ¥800 for Small, ¥1,700 for Medium, and ¥2,200 for Large. There’s also an extra-large “Biwa Shamoji” available for those who want maximum impact (body approximately 410 × 203 mm; photo transfer ¥3,200; print area approximately 255 × 192 mm).
Keyholders come in three charming shapes—Shamoji (rice paddle), Torii (shrine gate), and Momiji (maple leaf)—all priced at a flat ¥950 including the printed design. Popular add-on options include text and illustrations on the reverse side (¥200), or adding an extra printed design (¥300). The UV-protective spray is especially popular among visitors who plan to display their souvenirs outdoors or want long-term preservation: ¥50 for Small, ¥80 for Medium, and ¥100 for Large.
For families traveling with children, we found the small size to be the most practical choice. It’s not too big, not too small, and perfectly manageable for children to handle and use. You can also add personalized touches like names and original illustrations—choose from torii gates, shrines, deer, maple leaves, cherry blossoms, and more at just ¥50 per image—making it wonderfully easy to customize pieces for gifts, special events, or commemorative engravings.
Access・Business Hours・Reservations
The workshop’s location is near the entrance of the Omotesando approach, directly en route to Itsukushima Shrine from Miyajima Pier. It’s a comfortable 5-minute walk through an area with steady pedestrian traffic, making it easy to spot. Business hours are 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM daily. While walk-ins are welcome for photo transfer, reservations are strongly recommended for the woodburning (branding) experience and can be made conveniently online. Note that phone reservations are not eligible for loyalty points, so booking online is your best bet.
Checking the official website ahead of time for busy periods or any temporary closures will help ensure the smoothest possible visit. After disembarking from the Miyajima Ferry, simply head straight toward Omotesando Shopping Street—even first-time visitors and families with young children will find the workshop easy to locate and access.
Mom tip for families: The “Visit Hiroshima Tourist Hotspot” Wi-Fi network offers the fastest connection speeds along Omotesando, which comes in handy when you’re selecting photos from your phone or uploading your new souvenirs to social media to share with friends back home.
Suggested Combination Ideas for Nearby Sightseeing
The workshop’s location is perfectly positioned between famous sightseeing spots and bustling shopping streets. It’s approximately 460 meters (about a 6-minute walk) to the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine and roughly 750 meters (about a 10-minute walk) to the heart of Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street—making it an ideal spot to enjoy a craft experience either before or after your shrine visit.
You can also “stretch your legs” with a walk to the Miyajima Aquarium (approximately 2.1 km / 27-minute walk) or head to the base of Mt. Misen (approximately 2.2 km / 28-minute walk) for those interested in hiking. On rainy days, indoor activities like photo transfer and woodburning are absolutely perfect for staying dry while creating memories; on sunny days, consider dressing up in Heian-period costumes and then transforming those photos into beautiful photo art keepsakes.
For families traveling with children, I highly recommend combining the workshop with a visit to the aquarium. Miyajima Marine Aquarium (Miyajimarin) offers complimentary stroller rentals, so you can lighten your load and move smoothly from your handcraft experience to exploring the marine exhibits without juggling too much gear.
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For families and multi-generational trips, the short duration of these activities means less waiting around and significantly less stress for everyone involved. Our family has developed what I call our “golden pattern” itinerary: morning craft experience → lunch featuring Miyajima’s famous anago (conger eel) rice → relaxed afternoon at the aquarium. It works beautifully every time.
Speaking of which, if you work up an appetite after your creative session, why not try Miyajima’s renowned anago rice? After your handcraft experience, you can seamlessly transition into enjoying the island’s incredible gourmet offerings.
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By the way, trying momiji manju (maple leaf-shaped cakes) while food walking after your experience is another classic Miyajima activity. You can enjoy piping-hot, fresh-baked ones on the second floor of Yamadaya, and Koyokudo’s fried momiji are at their absolute crispiest first thing in the morning—trust me on this one.
Q&A (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. Can photos be printed on the spot?
Yes, absolutely. Images from smartphones or digital cameras can be printed directly in-store and transformed into photo art, then finished as rice paddles or straps right before your eyes. Our family selected and printed photos from our smartphones on the spot without any issues—it’s a seamless process.
Q. How long does it take?
Photo printing and strap making take approximately 10 minutes from start to finish, making it incredibly easy to fit into your Miyajima sightseeing schedule without feeling rushed. Even when my children got completely absorbed in the woodburning process, we were done in about 15 minutes total.
Q. Can I choose the design for the branding experience?
Yes, you have complete freedom to combine Miyajima motifs such as maple leaves, deer, and torii gates to create your own unique pattern. My children excitedly said, “We want to stamp them all!” but I recommend choosing about three different designs for the best visual balance.
Q. What is the approximate cost?
Rice paddle photo transfer runs Small: ¥800, Medium: ¥1,700, Large: ¥2,200. Keychain photo transfer is a flat ¥950 regardless of design. Additional options like reverse-side printing and UV protective spray are also available at reasonable prices. Our family of four thoroughly enjoyed the experience for approximately ¥3,000 total.
Q. Is it okay to bring children or visit on rainy days?
Absolutely yes to both. As a short-duration, primarily indoor experience, it’s perfectly suitable for kids of all ages and ideal for rainy days in Miyajima when outdoor sightseeing becomes less appealing. We actually rushed in during an unexpected downpour and it ended up being one of our favorite memories from the trip.
Q. Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are strongly recommended for the woodburning (branding) experience. Online reservations are available through their website; note that phone reservations are not eligible for loyalty points. While they can accommodate walk-ins if there’s availability, making a reservation is highly recommended if you definitely want to participate.
Q. How do I get there?
It’s about a 5-minute walk from Miyajima Pier heading toward Omotesando Shopping Street, positioned near the entrance area facing Itsukushima Shrine. The location is straightforward to find, so even first-time visitors can locate it with confidence—just follow the main pedestrian flow.
Q. Are the rice paddles actually practical for use?
Yes, they’re absolutely functional for cooking, not just decorative. Our family actually made chirashi sushi using our commemorative “Miyajima rice paddle” and everyone got excited saying, “This tastes even more delicious when we use our special paddle!” It’s genuinely usable kitchen equipment with sentimental value.
Summary
The biggest appeal of Miyajima Handmade Workshop is the remarkable freedom to combine Photo Transfer, Miyajima-Style Woodburning, and Heian-Period Costume Dressing to create “memories × practical items” in a surprisingly short amount of time. Within easy walking distance from the ferry pier, it’s effortlessly simple to add to your itinerary—whether you’re dealing with rainy weather, traveling with children, or just want a quick creative break between sightseeing stops.
With multiple sizes and customization options available, including name engraving and reverse-side printing, you can literally write your personal travel story onto a lasting souvenir. Between exploring Itsukushima Shrine’s sacred grounds and strolling through the shops and food stalls of Omotesando, take a moment to create your own one-of-a-kind rice paddle or strap to carry home.
As a Hiroshima-based mother who’s tried countless family activities, I genuinely think this workshop offers something special—it combines the children’s sense of achievement from “I made this myself!” with the ongoing practicality of being able to feel and relive Miyajima memories every time you use or see your creation at home. Please be sure to stop by during your visit to Miyajima—you won’t regret it.
For those interested in learning more deeply about Miyajima’s fascinating history and cultural significance, consider exploring the broader context of this entire World Heritage site. Handcraft experiences like these are part of the living, modern culture that continues the proud tradition of Miyajima’s historical craftsmanship spanning centuries.
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