Mato-chan: A Favorite Miyajima Okonomiyaki Spot
If you’re looking for Miyajima okonomiyaki that goes beyond the tourist trail, Mato-chan is the place. Tucked just one minute from the exit of Itsukushima Shrine, this cozy spot in a renovated traditional house serves some of the most satisfying Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki on the island — and it’s the kind of restaurant my family keeps coming back to. We stopped by last month to celebrate my youngest daughter’s birthday, and the place was just as lively and welcoming as ever.
Mato-chan has been run since 2017 by second-generation owner Kaori Matoba, who inherited both the recipe and the spirit of the original restaurant while also developing her own creative new menu items. The restaurant sits about a 2–3 minute walk from the Itsukushima Shrine exit toward Miyajima Aquarium (miyajiMarine), at the end of a narrow side lane to the left of the History and Folklore Museum. Look for the “ageoko” sign along the main path — that’s your landmark. Inside, the warm wood interior of the old converted home has a genuinely relaxed feel, and it’s exactly the kind of place where you want to sit down, slow down, and eat well.
What sets this restaurant apart is the quality of its oysters. Mato-chan uses the “Gokusen-oh” brand — a premium certified oyster that represents less than 0.3% of Hiroshima Prefecture’s total oyster production. Beyond the signature okonomiyaki, the menu also features oyster butter sauté, ajillo, and other oyster dishes that showcase what the Hiroshima coast does best.
After exploring the shrine, there’s nothing better than sitting down for a proper Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki just around the corner. For a full guide to the island’s most iconic attraction, take a look at our article on Itsukushima Shrine.
Itsukushima Shrine sits at the edge of the sea on Miyajima Island, jus...
Inside the Restaurant
The restaurant occupies a traditional Japanese house that’s been lovingly converted into a dining space. It has roughly 20–24 seats in total, split between counter seating and wooden table seats — five counter seats and five table seats, to be precise. The atmosphere is unpretentious and comfortable, the kind of place that feels lived-in and real.
A few practical notes that make Mato-chan especially visitor-friendly: the restaurant is entirely non-smoking, free Wi-Fi is available, and children’s chairs and dishes are provided. Strollers and wheelchairs can enter without difficulty, and you’re welcome to bring in baby food for infants. My own youngest used to come here regularly when she was small. For payment, the restaurant accepts cash, major credit cards, IC transit cards (like Suica and Pasmo), and QR code payment apps — so you won’t need to hunt for an ATM.
As a local, my honest recommendation is to visit on a weekday between 2:00 and 4:00 PM — that’s typically when the lunch rush has cleared and the wait is much shorter. Arriving right when dinner service opens is also a good strategy. Expect to wait around an hour at peak lunchtime, and another 20 minutes or so after you order.
The toppings list is impressively varied — oysters, shrimp, squid, spicy cod roe (mentaiko), and much more. Along with the full sit-down menu, Mato-chan also offers “ageoko,” a new Miyajima street-food creation that’s been featured on television. These are deep-fried okonomiyaki balls — crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside — and they come in four varieties including oyster-and-egg, cheese-and-egg, and soba-and-egg. My older daughter declared them even better than fried momiji manju, which is saying something. They’re a great option if you want a quick, delicious snack to enjoy while walking around the island.
If you love eating while you walk, be sure to also try freshly fried agemomiji — the earlier in the day the better, when the crunch is at its peak. Here’s our guide to the best agemomiji on Miyajima.
If you're looking for the ultimate Miyajima street food experience, ag...
We Tried the Shrimp and Squid Special
Ebi-Ika Special (Shrimp & Squid) — ¥1,520
This is the one I keep ordering. The Ebi-Ika Special is loaded with shrimp, squid, shiso (perilla leaf), and squid tempura flakes — a proper seafood celebration on a hot griddle plate. The noodles are steamed and slightly firm, well-seasoned, and they pair beautifully with the finely shredded cabbage. Otafuku sauce — the classic Hiroshima condiment — ties everything together. The portion is just right without being overwhelming, and the aromatic shiso leaves give the whole thing a wonderfully fragrant, slightly herbal edge. My husband took one bite and just said, “Now that’s good.” He was right.
You can choose between regular noodles and “karame,” a spicy noodle option made with chili. It sounds bold but actually delivers a warm, savory heat rather than anything overwhelming — a nice twist if you want something a little different. For something more uniquely Miyajima, the restaurant also offers an original “rice-style” okonomiyaki with anago (conger eel rice) mixed in as a substitute for regular noodles. It’s a clever local riff on two of the island’s most famous foods.
Speaking of which — Miyajima’s anago rice is legendary, and well worth a dedicated meal of its own. Our guide covers all the best spots to try it on the island.
Miyajima Island is famous for its floating torii gate and ancient shri...
Beyond the okonomiyaki, the menu offers a generous selection of single-dish plates: the Kaki (Oyster) Special with five premium oysters (¥2,070), the Mato-chan Special with three oysters, shiso, and mochi (¥2,020), Hiroshima aged chicken karaage, negansuu (a local fish cake patty with green onion), and house-made tofu dishes. There really is something for everyone at the table.
A quick personal rating for the Ebi-Ika Special:
Noodle quality: ★★★☆☆
Portion size: ★★★☆☆
Crowd-pleasing appeal: ★★★★☆
Topping generosity: ★★☆☆☆
Dinner at Mato-chan
Mato-chan isn’t just a lunch destination. On Friday through Sunday evenings, and on the eve of public holidays, the kitchen stays open from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (last order 8:00 PM). The dinner menu features a few exclusive items you won’t find at lunch — including “Honki no Yakisoba” (their serious-version stir-fried noodles) and a ramen dish made with the kind of care you’d expect from a kitchen that takes its noodles personally. If you’re spending the night on Miyajima or staying until the evening, dinner at Mato-chan is a great way to wind down the day.
Practical Information
Name: まとちゃん (Mato-chan)
Access: 1 minute on foot from the Itsukushima Shrine exit; 16 minutes on foot from Miyajima Pier; head toward Miyajima Aquarium and turn left at the narrow lane in front of the History and Folklore Museum
Hours: Mon, Wed–Sun & holidays: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (last order 3:00 PM); Fri–Sun & holiday eves: dinner 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (last order 8:00 PM)
Closed: Tuesdays
Seating: Approx. 20–24 seats (counter + tables); all non-smoking
Payment: Cash, major credit cards, IC transit cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.), iD, QUICPay, QR code apps
Wi-Fi: Free
Accessibility: Stroller and wheelchair accessible; children’s chairs and tableware available; baby food permitted
All dishes are served on iron griddle plates with a spatula so you can eat them piping hot. If you’re sensitive to heat, just ask — they can serve your okonomiyaki on a regular plate instead.
After lunch or dinner in the shopping area, a soft-serve ice cream is the perfect way to end the walk. After 5:00 PM the lines are much shorter — here’s our guide to Omotesando Shopping Street to help plan the rest of your visit.
Miyajima's main shopping street — known locally as Omotesando — is a l...
Summary
Mato-chan is one of those rare restaurants that earns its popularity honestly. The Miyajima okonomiyaki here is made with real craft and genuinely high-quality ingredients — from the premium oysters to the carefully seasoned noodles — and the relaxed old-house atmosphere makes it a pleasure to linger over a meal. Yes, you may wait. At peak lunch hours on a busy day, an hour in line is possible. But once you’re at the iron griddle plate with a spatula in hand, it’s easy to see why so many people come back. My family certainly does.
Whether you stop in for a full sit-down meal with oyster okonomiyaki, or grab an ageoko to eat on the go, Mato-chan adds a genuinely memorable food experience to any Miyajima visit. Don’t leave the island without trying it.
Note: Hours, menu items, and prices are subject to change. Please verify details directly with the restaurant before your visit.
If you’re in the mood to try more local flavors, our guide to the island’s beloved bakery is well worth a look.
Just one minute on foot from the Miyajima ferry pier, Shima Uma Pan ...
For a taste of classic Miyajima dining that has stood the test of time, Miyatoyo Honten is another landmark worth visiting.
Discover Miyatoya Honten, Miyajima's only hand-baked momiji manju shop. Try the famous cheese filling and Belgian chocolate flavors fresh off the grill.
FAQ
What are Mato-chan’s opening hours?
Mato-chan is open Monday, Wednesday through Sunday, and on public holidays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last order 3:00 PM). On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and the eve of public holidays, dinner service runs from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (last order 8:00 PM). The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
What is the best time to visit to avoid a long wait?
Weekday afternoons between 2:00 and 4:00 PM are typically the least crowded. Arriving right when dinner service begins is also a good way to get a seat without waiting. Expect the longest queues during weekend lunch hours.
Is Mato-chan family-friendly?
Yes, very much so. The restaurant provides children’s chairs and tableware, welcomes strollers and wheelchairs, and allows families to bring baby food for infants. If you’re traveling with young children and need a nursing or changing room nearby, the second floor of the Miyajima Tourist Information Center on Omotesando Shopping Street has facilities available.
What payment methods are accepted?
Mato-chan accepts cash, major credit cards, IC transit cards (Suica, Pasmo, and others), iD, QUICPay, and QR code payment apps. Most visitors will have no trouble paying in their preferred method.
What is ageoko, and can I get it to go?
Ageoko is a deep-fried okonomiyaki ball — crispy outside and soft inside — created as a new Miyajima street food. It comes in four varieties and is available to take away, making it a great snack for eating while you walk around the island. It has been featured on Japanese television and is quickly becoming one of Miyajima’s signature street food snacks.
Are there dinner-only menu items?
Yes. The dinner menu includes special dishes not served at lunch, including “Honki no Yakisoba” (a premium stir-fried noodle dish) and a ramen dish. If you’re on the island in the evening, dinner at Mato-chan is a worthwhile experience beyond the standard daytime menu.
How do I find Mato-chan on Miyajima?
From the Itsukushima Shrine exit, walk toward Miyajima Aquarium (miyajiMarine) for about 2–3 minutes, then turn left at the narrow lane just before the History and Folklore Museum. Follow the lane to the end. From Miyajima Pier, the walk takes about 16 minutes. Look for the “ageoko” sign along the main path as your landmark.
