Handmade Momiji Manju Experience at “Yamada-ya Miyajima Main Store”
On Miyajima, you can hand-bake the island’s signature momiji manju right inside Yamada-ya Miyajima Main Store. Sessions run about 30 minutes, cost ¥1,000 (tax included) and include a small souvenir. It’s quick, family-friendly, and easy to fit between Itsukushima Shrine and a stroll through Omotesando.
We Tried the Workshop on the 2nd Floor
Yamada-ya is a long-established confectioner (founded 1932) famous for momiji manju and the Touyouka confection. The company produces over 20 million momiji manju annually and is beloved by both domestic and international tourists as a Miyajima staple.
Last month, I took my eldest daughter (3rd grade) and youngest daughter (kindergarten) to try the handmade momiji manju experience for the first time! The kids were excited, wondering “What will momiji manju we make ourselves taste like?”
The Miyajima Main Store opens 9:00–18:00 and operates year-round. Address: 835-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima. What many locals don’t know is that you can actually enjoy freshly baked momiji manju on the 2nd floor of Yamada-ya.
From JR Miyajimaguchi, it’s about a 3-minute walk to the ferry terminal; once on the island, the shop is a short walk from Itsukushima Shrine. For cars, parking near Miyajimaguchi pier and taking the ferry is recommended. Strollers and wheelchairs are possible, but be mindful of steps and slopes around the island.
If you’re choosing between ferries, I recommend the JR Ferry. It takes a route closer to the great torii gate, so the kids got super excited shouting “Look! I can see the big torii!” from the boat.
The Miyajima Ferry is more than simple transport—it's a short scenic c...
The hand-baking experience is held in a dedicated room on the store’s 2nd floor. Online reservations became available 24/7 starting September 2019, and you can check availability too. Same-day walk-ins are sometimes possible, but sessions often fill—advance online booking is recommended.
Weekends get especially crowded with families! We once went without a reservation and ended up waiting 2 hours. Since then, we always book in advance. Groups can reserve as far as one year in advance (application form / fax). Capacity per session is 20 people; participants must be 5+. One non-participating observer per group is allowed.
Session Times & Price
- Weekdays: 10:30 / 13:00 / 14:15 / 15:30
- Sat, Sun & Holidays: 9:45 / 11:00 / 13:00 / 14:15 / 15:30
- Duration: about 30 minutes
- Fee: ¥1,000 (tax incl., includes a small souvenir)
- What you bake: 1 piece with smooth red bean paste + 1 piece with chocolate
- Payment: cash at reception on the day
Our youngest started participating when she turned 5. She was worried, asking “Can I make it as well as big sister?” but the staff guided her so carefully that everything went smoothly.
Note: The workshop occasionally features seasonal fillings (e.g., late-summer Shine Muscat from August 9-17). Last summer we participated in the Shine Muscat special experience, and the combination of the grape’s sweetness with the red bean paste was absolutely exquisite! Availability and souvenirs may vary by season.
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
After check-in, store bags on the shelf, wash hands, put on an apron, and move to your station. Each seat comes equipped with batter, red bean paste, chocolate pieces, measuring spoons, oil dispenser, and momiji manju molds. Handle fire and molds carefully for safety.
Our family has roles: my husband is the photographer, I support the kids. Our eldest wants to do everything herself so I mostly watch, while our youngest goes into “Mommy, help me!” mode.
- Lightly oil the maple-leaf mold thoroughly and preheat over the burner.
- Pour a little batter, add bean paste and chocolate, then cover with more batter.
- Flip every ~30 seconds, about 4 times in total, to brown evenly.
- Use a skewer to release the cake, trim the thin “wings,” and let it rest briefly.
- Enjoy while warm—crispy outside, tender inside!
I ended up burning mine a little, but that became a good memory too. The slight bitterness actually paired nicely with the chocolate. Our youngest said “Mommy’s tastes the best!” which really saved me. Between baking, eating, and the little souvenir at the end, it’s a sweet memory to take home.
After the experience, I also recommend the factory tour at Yamada-ya Main Store. No reservation needed, and you can watch the momiji manju production process up close. The kids were fascinated, saying “It’s the same as what we just made!”
Before or after the experience, strolling through Omotesando Shopping Street is the classic course. After making them at Yamada-ya, it’s fun to try momiji manju from other shops for comparison too.
Omotesando Shopping Street stretches from Miyajima Pier to Itsukushima...
By the way, locals say that Momijido’s fried momiji are crispiest first thing in the morning. If you have time, definitely try those as well.
After the momiji manju experience, don’t forget to visit Itsukushima Shrine. Take the memorable momiji manju you made with your family and explore this World Heritage site.
When you think of Miyajima, you think of Itsukushima Shrine. Cradled b...
Reservations, What to Bring, and Accessibility
- Reservations: Online booking available; groups (travel agencies) via fax. Same-day slots may be available if not full.
- What to bring: None required. Recommended: clothes that can get a little flour or oil on them. Aprons are provided, but having spare clothes for small children is reassuring.
- Payment: Cash only at reception. Credit cards are not accepted, so don’t forget to bring cash.
- Kids: Participants must be 5 years or older. Since fire is involved, parents should provide proper support for young children. Stools are available for small children.
- Strollers & Wheelchairs: The venue is on the 2nd floor and accessed by stairs; leave strollers on 1F and ask staff for assistance as needed. Consultation with the store beforehand is recommended.
Q&A
Q. Can I join without a reservation?
A. If there’s space, yes—but popular slots fill quickly. Booking ahead is safest, especially on weekends and holidays when it often gets fully booked.
Q. What’s the minimum age?
A. 5 years old and up.
Q. How do I pay?
A. Cash at reception on the day.
Q. Is the workshop wheelchair-friendly?
A. It’s on the 2nd floor (stairs). Please consult staff; assistance may be needed depending on your situation.
Q. Tips for avoiding crowds?
A. Weekdays from 2-4 PM are relatively quiet. Also, Omotesando Shopping Street is less crowded after 5 PM, so timing your stroll for then is recommended.
Q. What if I want to enjoy other Miyajima specialties too?
A. Conger eel rice is another Miyajima specialty. The course of enjoying sweets with momiji manju followed by a meal of conger eel rice is also popular.
Speaking of representative Miyajima cuisine, conger eel rice is a must-try. How about having it as a meal after your momiji manju experience? It’s seasoned to be kid-friendly and very popular.
When visiting Miyajima, you absolutely must try anago-meshi (anago ric...
Summary
Short, sweet, and truly Miyajima—Yamada-ya’s momiji manju workshop is a perfect add-on to your shrine visit. Book a session, bake two flavors, and enjoy a freshly made, one-of-a-kind treat with family or friends.
In our family, this experience sparked the children’s interest in cooking. At home, we even use a takoyaki maker to create momiji manju-style sweets. Including the failures, it was the perfect experience for creating family memories.
If you’re unsure about your Miyajima itinerary, definitely include the momiji manju handmaking experience in your plans. It’s enjoyable for everyone from kids to adults, and makes for great souvenir stories!
For those who want to learn more deeply about Miyajima’s history and culture, explore the background of the entire World Heritage site. The momiji manju experience is also part of Miyajima’s long history.
Miyajima is beloved by many travelers as a place to experience Japan's...
