Itsuki

Itsuki is a very nice cafe in a restored Miyajima town house, run by the young Sasaki-san. Sasaki is no stranger to Miyajima as he worked part-time pulling tourists around the in rickshaws when he was at college.

The house, a few meters back from Machiya-dori has a pleasant Japanese garden in front and, designed by the same guy who designed Green Coffee, the interior is very simple and elegant. The downstairs "salon" is dominated by a fantastic wooden table and there are 3 or 4 seats at the counter. There is also a Japanese tatami room upstairs that is ideal for small groups looking for a bit of privacy.

Sasaki roasts his own coffee, and the cake is very good. You can also order light meals.

If you are on Miyajima during the day we highly recommend stepping off the main drag and checking this place out. If your are there at night, it's a great (the only) place where you can get a drink and a bite to eat.

Access
Walking along the main shopping street (where all the souvenir stores are) towards Ituskushima Shrine from the ferry port, take a left turn just before the giant shamoji wooden rice spoon. Walk up the narrow street for about 200m and Itsuki is on the right.

"absolutley gorgeous"
Stephen Morgan () - Sun May 2009
we only had one night in Miyajima but if we had longer would have been at this cafe every night. totally boutique, beautifully minimalistic restfil interior, without doubt the best coffee of our travels in Japan and the service from the handsome friendly owner perfect. the cheescake is to die for and the garden setting totally zen. this is soul food desert for coffee and mind. attention to detail is perfect from the music selection (classical when we were there) to the decor and personal service. we even took a bag of his roasted beans back to Tokyo! check it out!