Best Things to Do on Miyajima Island – Day Trip from Hiroshima
If you’re visiting Hiroshima for a couple days, please make sure you set aside time for a day trip to Miyajima Island!
Miyajima Island is known for its famous “floating” torii gate and is a small island full of natural beauty, friendly deer, shrines, and delicious street food.
We visited Miyajima on a cloudy, rainy day, and even then, it was one of the most scenic spots we visited during our 18-day trip to Japan.
In this post, I’m sharing the best things to do on Miyajima Island, how to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island, and the best places to stay if you’re wanting to stay overnight.
8 of the Best Things to Do on Miyajima Island
Miyajima Island is super walkable, making it easy to explore the top sights in just a few hours.
Here are the best things to do on Miyajima Island to add to your itinerary!
1. See the Giant Torii Gate
The first thing you will probably notice as your ferry approaches Miyajima Island is the giant red torii gate standing in the water in front of Itsukushima Shrine.
This is the most iconic photo spot on the island and probably what you have seen in every Miyajima Island travel guide!
At high tide, the gate looks like it’s floating in the ocean. At low tide, the water recedes and you can walk right up to it on the sand.
We visited during low tide and it was fun to get a closer look at the gate by walking out on the sand, but I would say it’s worth seeing at both tide levels if you can time it right.
You can check the tide times here closer to your visit.
The torii gate is visible from several different areas on the island, including from the ferry, so you won’t miss it!
2. Walk Along Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
Omotesando Street is the main shopping and food street on Miyajima Island, and you will walk by it soon after getting off the ferry.
So, it is a good place to stop and grab a bite to eat if you’re hungry.
The street is lined with several souvenir shops, snack & drink stands, and restaurants.
The most popular food options to try are:
- Grilled oysters – a local specialty
- Deep-fried momiji manju – little maple-leaf shaped cakes filled with custard or red bean paste
- Matcha soft serve – because obviously, it’s Japan!
- Honey lemon soda – a refreshing drink, especially on a hot day
You will also likely see a few of the island’s friendly deer in this area.
We even saw one sitting in front of the door of a shop. The owner had to nicely nudge the deer away from the door so customers could enter. 😂
Unlike in Nara, feeding the deer on Miyajima Island is not allowed – so please don’t!
In my experience, the deer were a lot more relaxed than the ones in Nara – probably because they’re not constantly being fed rice crackers!
Tip: Bring some cash, as not all shops accept cards. Some do, but it’s best to be prepared.
➡️ Make sure to read my blog post where I share my two days in Hiroshima itinerary consisting of everything we did, where we stayed, and what we ate!
3. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine is a must-visit spot and one of the most important landmarks on the island.
The shrine is built over the water and is connected by wooden walkways.
It’s especially beautiful when the tide is high and the reflection of the shrine reflects on the water below.
It costs 500 yen to enter the shrine, and I recommend getting the combo ticket that includes the Treasure Hall, which holds religious artifacts and historical items from the shrine.
I would start at the shrine itself and then check out the Treasure Hall afterward, both are located right next to each other and easy to walk through in under an hour.
4. Explore Senjokaku Hall
Right next to the five-story pagoda is Senjokaku Hall, which translates to “Hall of 1,000 Tatami Mats.”
This large wooden hall was originally built to be a Buddhist library but was never completed. Today, it stands roofed but without walls.
You will need to take your shoes off before walking in, and the cost to enter is only 100 yen per person.
The wide wooden floor and open views of the island make it a great place to take in the beauty of your surroundings.
5. Hike or Take the Ropeway to the Top of Mt. Misen
If you’re up for a bit of a workout or want some of the best panoramic views on the island, head up Mt. Misen, the highest peak on Miyajima Island.
It is one of the best things to do on Miyajima Island and was a major highlight of our trip.
From the top, you can see the Seto Inland Sea and nearby islands on a clear day.
We visited on a rainy day and didn’t get any views at the summit due to fog, but it was still worth it for the views along the way.
There are two ways to reach the top of Mt. Misen:
- Hike: There are three main trails that take you to the top.
- Momijidani Trail – shortest but steepest
- Omoto Course – longest and most challenging
- Daisho-in Trail (recommended) – most scenic and the one we did!
- Take the Ropeway (Cable Car)
- Costs 1,100 yen one-way
- Still requires about a 30-minute walk to reach the summit
We hiked up the Daisho-in Trail, which took about 1.5 hours (one-way) with a couple rest breaks and stops for photos. This also includes about 15 minutes at the top!
I am in decent shape but not an experienced hiker and found it moderately challenging – lots of stairs!
We took the ropeway down to save time and energy. I definitely recommend doing it this way.
We also saw two deer while hiking which was super cool!
Doing the reverse (ropeway up, hike down) is also a good option if you want to avoid the climb up since descending down the stairs would be significantly easier.
6. Stop by Daisho-in Temple
If you’re planning to hike Mt. Misen, you will pass by Daishoin Temple near the start of the trail, just a short walk from Itsukushima Shrine. You will see signs pointing the way.
The temple is known for its hundreds of small statues lining the path.
It’s free to enter, and even if you’re not doing the full hike, it’s worth a visit!
7. See Reikado Hall
If you are hiking to the top of Mt. Misen or taking the ropeway up, make sure to visit Reikado Hall which is near the summit.
It is home to the Eternal Flame, which has been burning for over 1,200 years.
It was originally lit by the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi and is said to have been used to light the Flame of Peace in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park.
8. Stay Overnight in a Ryokan
While most people only come to Miyajima Island as a day trip, I would recommend staying overnight if you want a unique experience.
The island becomes much less crowded in the evening after the day-trippers leave, and you can enjoy peaceful views of the torii gate at night or early in the morning.
I would consider staying in a ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese “hotel” to get the ultimate experience.
At a ryokan, you sleep on the floor on tatami mats and are usually served dinner and/or breakfast as part of your stay which usually consists of traditional Japanese food.
A few options of ryokans on Miyajima Island are:
- Iwaso – beautiful traditional rooms with views
- Miyajima Seaside Hotel – quiet location and free shuttle service to the ferry port
If the ryokan experience is not for you, there are a couple hotels on Miyajima Island as well:
- Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto – great location with free breakfast
- Hotel Miyajima Villa – only a one-minute walk to the ferry port!
How to Get to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima
Getting to Miyajima from Hiroshima is super easy and can be done with public transportation.
I recommend using Google Maps for public transit directions while in Japan. It is easier to follow and more accurate than Apple Maps.
- Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs around 420 yen.
- From Miyajimaguchi Station, follow the signs to the Miyajima Ferry Port. It’s about a 5-minute walk.
- Hop on the ferry to Miyajima Island. The ferry ride takes about 10 minutes and accepts Suica card, which is super convenient. The cost to take the ferry to Miyajima Island was 300 yen (100 yen visitor tax included) and then only 200 yen on the way back.
The ferry has plenty of seating on the lower level and upper level. I recommend sitting on the upper level or on the benches on the outside of the ferry to see the best views.
Tip: After about 5:00–6:00 PM, the ferries become less frequent due to less crowds. You can check the times for the ferry schedule here.
I would plan to visit Miyajima Island in the morning and afternoon and leave before dinner unless you are staying overnight on the island.
Miyajima Island can easily be explored on your own, but if you’re wanting to book a guided tour, here are two well-reviewed tours on Get Your Guide that also combine Hiroshima.
- Hiroshima and Miyajima Full-Day Tour – hits the iconic sights in both Hiroshima & Miyajima Island
- Hiroshima/Miyajima Private Custom Tour with Local Guide – smaller, more intimate group setting and easier to customize
How to Get Around Miyajima island
Once you’re on Miyajima Island, there is no public transportation, but you won’t really need it anyway.
Miyajima is completely walkable, and all the main sights, from the torii gate to the ropeway station, are within about a 1-mile radius from the ferry port.
Just wear comfortable walking shoes, especially if you’re planning to hike Mt. Misen. I wore my Clifton 8 Hoka tennis shoes, and they were great.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miyajima Island
How Much Time Do You Need on Miyajima Island?
We spent about 5.5 hours on the island, arriving around 11:00 AM and leaving around 4:30 PM.
In that time, we:
- Walked to the torii gate
- Sat at a coffee shop for an hour while it rained
- Hiked to the top of Mt. Misen via the Daisho-in trail & took the ropeway down
If you’re not hiking, you could spend closer to 3-4 hours, but I would recommend giving yourself 5-6 hours to comfortably see everything without rushing, especially if you plan to do the hike up Mt. Misen or just want time to relax.
What is Miyajima Island Known For?
Miyajima is most famous for its floating torii gate, which is part of Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s also known for:
- Friendly wild deer that roam freely around the island (friendlier than the deer in Nara, in my experience)
- Street food like grilled oysters and momiji manju
- Mt. Misen’s panoramic views and hiking trails
- Peaceful temples and traditional ryokans
Is Miyajima Island Worth Visiting in the Rain?
Yes, if it isn’t raining too hard and you can still get around with an umbrella or rain poncho comfortably, then I would still make the trip to Miyajima Island despite the rain.
We visited on a rainy day and still had a great time. The mist and fog from the rain added a magical feel to the hike and the crowds were far less than if it was a nice sunny day.
We brought umbrellas with us and were able to use those on the hike to keep relatively dry from the rain (but we did sweat a lot lol!).
All of the hotels we stayed at in Japan let us borrow umbrellas for free which was very convenient.
Are There Coin Lockers on Miyajima Island?
Yes, there are coin lockers on Miyajima Island near the ferry terminal where you can store backpacks or luggage or anything else you’re not wanting to carry with you while exploring Miyajima Island.
I would just make sure to not store anything valuable in the coin lockers.
Does the Japan Rail Pass Cover the Ferry to Miyajima Island?
Yes, if you’re using the JR Miyajima Ferry, it’s covered under the JR Pass.
Just show your JR pass before boarding.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Miyajima Island
Miyajima Island was one of my favorite stops during our Japan trip.
Even with the rain, the views were beautiful, and the rain allowed for less crowds, making our visit more peaceful.
Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or just exploring traditional Japanese shrines, Miyajima Island has something for you.
If you’re staying a couple nights in Hiroshima, I definitely recommend making the trip out to Miyajima Island. It’s easy to get to and absolutely worth it!
Check out my other Japan blog posts to help you plan your Japan itinerary!
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