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How to spend the day on Miyajima island (day trip from Hiroshima)
Miyajima island is a small but beautiful island just off the coast of Hiroshima in the south of Japan, famous for wandering deer and the impressive Red Torii Gate which rises from the bay.
If you’re planning to visit the city of Hiroshima when travelling in Japan, then you will definitely want to build some time in your itinerary to take a day trip to Miyajima island.
A day trip to Miyajima island is one of the best things to do when visiting Hiroshima and the island’s proximity to the city makes it really convenient too! Make sure you also check out the other things to do in Hiroshima with this 2-day itinerary.
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How to get to Miyajima island from Hiroshima
Travelling to Miyajima island from Hiroshima is really easy. Starting from Hiroshima train station, catch the Sanyo line train to Miyajimaguchi Station. The train only takes 30 minutes and if you have a JR pass you can use it on this train. (Not sure if getting a JR pass is worth it? Read more about the JR pass, here). If you don’t have a JR pass, the train costs 420 yen (£2.30) for a one-way ticket.
Once you arrive at Miyajimaguchi Station, follow the signs and walk to the ferry port (the ferry port is about 4 mins walk from the train station). The ferry across to Miyajima island only takes 10 minutes and if you have a JR pass you can also use it on the JR ferry, too! (Two ferries operate from the port: JR and Matsudai – so if you have a JR pass, make sure you catch the JR ferry!). If you don’t have a JR pass, both ferries cost just 180 yen (£1.00) for a one-way ticket.
Getting around Miyajima island
Most of the sights and attractions on the island are concentrated in two main areas: the area around Mount Misen and the town around Itsukushima shrine and the ferry port. Therefore, it is very easy to walk between all the sights. The Itsukushima shrine and the main shopping area are just a 5-10 minute walk from the ferry port.
How to spend the day on Miyajima island
For a small island, there’s surprisingly quite a lot you can do, with activities and sights for the whole family to enjoy. Here are some of the best things to see and do on Miyajima island.
Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate
As you sail across the bay towards Miyajima island on the ferry, you can’t miss the imposing red Torii Gate rising from the water. It really is quite an impressive sight!
Once you are on the island, you can get a closer look at the gate from the path that traces the shoreline. Tip: instead of taking your photo of the gate with the rest of the tourists, continue following the path round to the other side of the Itsukushima shrine and if the tide is out, walk onto the beach for a better photo with less crowds.
Itsukushima Jinja shrine
One of the most popular places to visit on Miyajima island is the Itsukushima Jinja shrine. The shrine itself is quite small and not as impressive as some of the other shrines we saw in Japan, such as the Senso-ji shrine in Tokyo, or the Zenko-ji shrine in Nagano, but worth a visit, especially if you want to get a closer look at the Itsukushma floating Torii gate, which sits directly in front of the shine.
In fact, the jetty in front of the shrine is the best place on Miyajima island to get a photo in front of the Torii gates, and often in the busy period, there is a queue to take your photo here. Entry to the shrine is only 300 yen / £1.85.
See the deer
Miyajima island is famous for the deer that wander freely. The deer are mostly quite friendly and used to people, however, it is important to remember that they are still wild animals and need to be given space and respect. They are definitely less interested in people than the deer at Nara deer park in Osaka, however, I would still avoid eating food around them as they will try and grab it off you and won’t leave you alone if they can smell or see it!
But, as long as you keep your distance, they are lovely to watch and take a quick photo or two.
Tsutsumigaura Nature Park
Located on the opposite side of the island to the main ferry port, Tsutsumigaura Nature Park is a tranquil park with many nature trails and a small, protected beach. There is also a campsite if you wanted to stay overnight. Otherwise, you can take the hiking trail and hike from the ferry port to the beach and back. The route is just over 6km one way and takes 1 hour 50 mins each way. This hiking route is not as popular as the hiking paths to the summit of Mount Misen so the trail may not be in as good condition, which is something you should bear in mind before setting off.
Senjokaku Pavilion
The Itsukushima Jinja Senjokaku Pavilion sits on an elevated position in between the Itsukushima Jinja shrine and the main shopping street, overlooking the sea. The traditional wooden shrine has open sides so that you can admire the view from inside. For a small fee of just 100 yen (£0.55), you can ascend into the shrine – (just make sure that you remove your shoes first).
Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda
Opposite the Senjokaku Pavilion is the Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda. This beautiful red coloured pagoda is free to walk around but there is no entry inside. You won’t need long here, but it is worth the short climb up the steps from the main street to see the pagoda and surrounding views.
Hike to Mount Misen
There are three hiking trails from the town to the summit of Mount Misen: the Daishyoin route, Momijidani route and the Omoto route.
The Daishyoin and Momijidani routes both take approximately 1.5 – 2 hours to reach the summit, whilst the Omoto route takes 2 – 2.5 hours. The easiest and most popular route to hike to Mount Misen is the Momijidani route, which leaves from the Miyajima ropeway station.
The climb to Mount Misen is steep and should not be tackled unless you have a good level of fitness and you must stick to the marked paths for your own safety. There are a couple of public toilets at the top, by the ropeway station, but there is nowhere to buy food or drink on the way up or at the top, so make sure that you take plenty of drinking water and snacks with you, especially during the warmer months.
Once you reach the summit of Mount Misen, if you’re lucky and climbing on a clear day, you will be rewarded with stunning views over the island and out to sea.
Tip: If you don’t fancy hiking back down, you can jump on the Mount Misen ropeway and buy a one-way ticket! The cost of a one-way only ticket is 1100 yen (£6.00)
Mount Misen Ropeway
If you are not able to hike up to the summit of Mount Misen, or you’re short on time, then the Mount Misen ropeway is a great alternative to ensure that you can still soak up those amazing views at the summit!
The cost for an adult round-trip ticket is 2000 yen (£11.00), whilst a children’s round-trip ticket is 1000 yen (£5.50).
The journey from Momijidani station to Kayatani station is 10 minutes. You will need to transfer onto a different line at Kayatani station, and from here it is a further 4-minute journey to Shishiiwa station at the summit of Mount Misen.
From the entrance of Momijidani park (behind the Itsukushima Jinja shrine), there is a free electric shuttle which departs every 20 minutes and takes you to the Momijidani ropeway station.
You can buy your tickets for the ropeway at the tourist information desk within the ferry port when you arrive on the island, however during peak season, it is recommended to reserve your ticket online.
At the top of the Mount Misen summit is the observatory and several small shinto shrines.
Miyajima Omotesandō Shōtengai
The main hub of Miyajima island is Omotesandō Shōtengai (Kiyomori-dōri) street. The shopping street is just a short stroll from the ferry port and is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs.
There’s also plenty of restaurants here serving the local speciality of fresh oysters. If you’re not a fan of oysters or seafood in general, there are limited options in Miyajima, but there are a few cafes and kiosks where you can find alternative options and street food.
Try Hiroshima’s lemons!
As well as being known for its fresh oysters, Hiroshima is also famous for its lemons and Miyajima island has really embraced the Hiroshima lemon with pride! There are many cafes along Omotesandō Shōtengai (Kiyomori-dōri) street serving Hiroshima lemon in a variety of drinks, including whiskey, cider, mulled wine, lemonade and hot honey and lemon drinks.
I hope this post has inspired you to spend an extra day in Hiroshima so that you can take a daytrip to Miyajima island!
