After one day exploring Hiroshima, we took a day trip to Miyajima Island, just a short journey from the city. Miyajima is famous for its iconic floating Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen, wild deer, and fresh local oysters, a peaceful escape with plenty of culture and history.
*Ad – Affiliate links: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through an affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. My opinions and recommendations remain my own.
Getting to Miyajima from Hiroshima
Getting there is easy and covered by the JR Pass if you’re using one:
- Train: Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station (approx. 25–30 minutes).
- Ferry: Walk 3–5 minutes to the pier and take the 10-minute JR Ferry to the island. Ferries depart every 15 minutes.
💡 Tip: Book your ferry back early in the morning when you arrive in Miyajima. It’s slightly more expensive than the train, but worth it for comfort and convenience.
Exploring Miyajima: Shrines, Temples & Deer
We visited Miyajima on a rainy day, so the Mount Misen cable car wasn’t an option. Instead, we focused on the island’s highlights:
- Itsukushima Shrine: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is stunning. The 16.6-meter-tall vermilion torii is breathtaking, and during low tide, you can walk closer to it. Tip: wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy because of sand and rain.
- Daisho-in Temple: A peaceful and spiritual temple. We were lucky to hear a monk conducting meditation via a speaker; it made the visit very serene.
- Omotesando Shopping Street: A lovely street filled with original souvenirs, including Miyajima’s famous wooden utensils and crafts.
- Miyajima Island Half - Day Tour with a Guide, if you like to discover interesting spots on the island.
Along the way, you’ll see friendly wild deer wandering freely, a signature part of Miyajima’s charm. I wouldn’t feed them; they can be quite aggressive if they see food.
Miyajima Food Highlights
No trip is complete without tasting the local delicacies:
- Grilled Hiroshima Oysters (Yaki Gaki): Large, juicy, and freshly grilled, completely different from European oysters. A must-try for seafood lovers!
- Momiji Manju (Maple Leaf Cake): A sweet local speciality filled with red bean paste. We didn’t try it this time, but it’s a must for a local experience.
💡 Tip: If visiting during the day, check the tides. At low tide, the shrine becomes even more accessible.
Wrapping Up
Miyajima was the perfect day trip from Hiroshima. Even though the weather wasn't on our side, the island still felt peaceful and full of character. Looking back, I'd love to return on a sunny day to take the Mount Misen cable car and spend a little more time exploring its nature trails. It’s easy to cover in a single day, though many visitors choose to stay overnight to explore Mount Misen and the island’s nature more thoroughly.
After Miyajima, our Japan trip continued to Fukuoka, where we caught our flight to South Korea, but Miyajima remains one cherished Japanese highlight.
Suggested Routes in Japan
If you’re planning a longer Japan route, these posts will help you create a full itinerary and explore more of the country:
- Hiroshima 2-Day Travel Guide – Peace Memorial Park, Genbaku Dome & Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki
- Himeji Castle Stopover Guide – Perfect for your Osaka-Hiroshima route
- Osaka 1-Day Itinerary – Street food, Dotonbori & TeamLab Botanical Garden
- Kyoto 3-Day Travel Guide – Temples, Nishiki Market & Gion Geisha tour
- A Peaceful Day Trip from Tokyo to Kamakura - Temples, Sea Breeze & Slow Moments
- Tokyo Travel Guide – Esim tips, Shibuya, Ramen & Day Trips
🎟️ Tours and Experiences Mentioned in This Miyajima Guide
If you're planning a day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima, I've listed the tours, attractions and experiences mentioned throughout this guide below. Whether you're visiting independently or prefer a guided tour, these experiences can help you make the most of your time on the island.
These are the experiences featured in this guide:
⛩️ Itsukushima Shrine
Seeing the famous floating torii gate in person was one of the highlights of my Japan trip. If possible, check the tide times before your visit so you can experience both the floating gate and walk closer to it at low tide.
🛕 Daisho-in Temple
Daisho-in Temple became one of my favourite places on the island. Listening to the peaceful chanting while wandering through the temple grounds created one of the most memorable moments of the day.
🚡 Mount Misen (Optional)
Unfortunately, the weather didn't allow us to take the cable car to Mount Misen, but it's one of the island's most popular attractions and definitely something I'd like to experience on my next visit.
🦪 Hiroshima Oysters & Local Food
Trying freshly grilled Hiroshima oysters was one of the culinary highlights of visiting Miyajima. If you enjoy seafood, I'd highly recommend making time to sample the island's local specialities while exploring Omotesando Shopping Street.
🚢 JR Ferry to Miyajima
Travelling to Miyajima by JR Ferry was straightforward and offered lovely views as we approached the island. If you're using the JR Pass, it's an easy and convenient journey from Hiroshima.
📱 Stay Connected
Having mobile data made travelling between Hiroshima and Miyajima much easier. I used Airalo throughout my Japan trip for maps, ferry times and translations.
❤️ Planning Your Miyajima Trip?
If I had to recommend just three experiences from my visit, I'd choose:
⛩️ Visiting the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and floating torii gate.
🛕 Taking time to explore the peaceful atmosphere of Daisho-in Temple.
🦪 Trying Hiroshima's famous grilled oysters while wandering through Omotesando Shopping Street.
Even on a rainy day, Miyajima became one of my favourite places in Japan. Its combination of nature, history and quiet atmosphere made it the perfect escape from the city.
🇯🇵 Continue Exploring Japan
Continue your journey:
➡ Tokyo
➡ Kamakura
➡ Kyoto
➡ Osaka
➡ Himeji
➡ Miyajima (current article)
➡ Fukuoka
Or return to my Japan Travel Hub.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend hotels, tours, and travel services that I have personally used, experienced, or genuinely believe will help you plan your trip. Thank you for supporting MissWidjaja and helping me continue to create free travel guides and honest travel content.
