Shamoji

When you think of Hiroshima, you think of ladles, right? You can experience the size of the famous giant ladle by visiting Miyajima. About a 10-minute walk from Miyajima Pier is the Miyajima Machizukuri Exchange Center, where the world's largest ladle is displayed on the premises! If you get lost, just aim for the Five-Story Pagoda, as the display is right behind it. You'll see the big ladle as soon as you climb the hill in front of you! The center is open from 9:00 to 17:00, closed on Mondays, and admission is free.

The giant rice paddle on Miyajima Island is so big that it's popular on social media, but be sure to get up close and experience its size for yourself! You'll be surprised by the size of this rice paddle, which is made from a 270-year-old keyaki tree and measures 7.7 meters in length, 2.7 meters in width, and weighs 2 tons. It was created to showcase the beauty of Miyajima craftsmanship and to pass it down to future generations. The large rice paddle, which took 2 years and 10 months to complete, has a beautiful shine and wood grain that showcases the skill of the craftsmen. This is the only place in the world where you can see such a large rice paddle, so be sure to check it out when you visit Miyajima!

The "shamoji" (rice paddle) of Miyajima is said to bring good luck and is popular as a lucky charm. Originally, in the 1800s, a monk in Miyajima was inspired by the biwa (Japanese lute) of Itsukushima Benzaiten and came up with the idea of giving it as a souvenir to visitors. It is said to bring good luck in winning, business prosperity, abundance, and learning, so students who have upcoming sports events or exams may want to take advantage of the power of the "oshakushi" (big rice paddle). You're sure to get some energy from it!

After experiencing the power of the giant rice paddle, getting a rice paddle as a souvenir is highly recommended! In the Omotesando shopping district, located near the giant rice paddle, there are many souvenir shops where you can buy rice paddles. There are various types of rice paddles available, including practical ones, straps, amulets, wedding memorabilia, and success prayer items! Among them, the most popular item is the one with a small rice paddle attached as a strap, with words such as "success" and "victory" written on it, which many people buy as a good luck charm.

For those who are interested in traditional crafts and have been touched by the powerful rice paddles, we recommend the Miyajima Traditional Industry Hall! Here, Miyajima handicrafts are exhibited, and you can also experience making a rice paddle! By applying a hot iron to a wooden rice paddle and adding patterns, you can create your own original rice paddle. Why not make a rice paddle as a memory of your trip? You're sure to create a wonderful rice paddle! The Miyajima Traditional Industry Hall is located near Miyajima Pier and is open from 8:30 to 17:00 (closed on Mondays). The time required is about 1 hour, and the fee is 500 yen. We recommend making a reservation in advance.