Hiroshima to Miyajima by Ferry: 3 Ways to Get There for a Day Trip

Thinking about adding day trip from Hiroshima to Miyajima to your Japan itinerary? Not only is it a delightful day out, Itsukushima Shrine with its Grand Torii gate is an icon of the country, gracing the pages of travel brochures and Japan travel blogs like mine.

But there is much more to this island than the floating torii, which you’re about to find out! Miyajima Island one of the top places to visit in Japan and when you’re there in person, its spiritual aura will help you understand why.

There are three ways to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima by public transport, however the most obvious the majority of visitors use may not be right for you — because it wasn’t for me.

Having visited Miyajima three times from Hiroshima over the past decade, I’ve learnt which way best suits me and put together this guide to help you determine which will be right for you.

Additionally, most visitors prefer to flock to the island at high tide to catch the 16 metre-high vermilion gate peacefully floating on the bay. But did you know the trip is just as worthwhile if you visit during low tide?

Read on to find out why, the best way to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima by ferry – and the amazing things to do when you’re there!

First Beach Co Ltd.

An alternative option is using First Beach Co. Ltd (Setonaikaikisen) ferries. Departing from Hiroshima Port in the city’s south, rather than from Hiroshima Peace Park means you’ll need to add about 45 mins travel time from the city to port via bus and walk almost 2 kilometres.

These ferries also stop at Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima along the way, then onto Miyajima. Some boats make additional stops at Kannon Pier and Hiroshima Festival Outlets Marina, which can add almost half an hour to your journey each way.

• Time on bus/walking: 45 mins
• Time on First Beach Co. ferry: approx. 30 mins
• Cost: Bus, Adults 200 yen each way / Ferry, Adults 3,300 yen return
• Check the First Beach Co. Miyajima ferry timetable for departure times.

TIP: I personally haven’t tried this option, so not entirely sure of the process regarding the return ferry from Miyajima to Hiroshima.

JR Ferry

I have taken the JR Ferry across to Miyajima once and would not do it again. This is my least favourite option due to the amount of extra travel time compared to the Aquanet ferry. Although aside from the tram which you need a IC card for, this journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

From Hiroshima Peace Park, you need to take a 50 mins tram ride to JR Hiroshima Station. When there, how to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima Station? Take the local JR Sanyo line (not to be confused with the Sanyo shinkansen line) to Miyajimaguchi (approx 25 mins) where it’s a two minute walk to the JR Ferry terminal. This JR ferry takes about 10 minutes to Miyajima.

• Time on tram (Peace Park to Hiroshima Station): 50 mins
• Time on train (Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi): 25 mins
• JR Hiroshima to Miyajima ferry time (Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima): 10 mins
• Cost: 230 yen each way for tram, JR train and ferry covered by the Japan Rail Pass
• Check the JR Hiroshima to Miyajima ferry schedule for departure times.

TIP: For me personally, the total of 1 hour 25 mins travel time on the tram, train then ferry each way takes too long. That’s almost 3 hours return journey. However this option may suit you if using the JR Pass, so take the extra travel time into consideration when planning your Miyajima trip.

Things to do in Miyajima: Day trip itinerary

Miyajima Island, known formally as Itsukushima (literally “Shrine Island”) is worth a full day of your time so you can visit many sights without being rushed about! Here are some wonderful things to do in Miyajima: 

Visit Itsukushima Shrine

First up, visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima-jinja). Originally built over the water in 593 AD, the shrine is made up of 20 wooden buildings connected by boardwalks and has given the island its name. It really is unique and a must-visit for any Miyajima day trip! (Cost: 300 yen each or 500 yen each including Treasure Hall).

TIP: It does get busy in some places of the shrine, and tourists all queue up on the pier to have a photo with the torii floating in the background. You can stand a little to the side of the tourists queuing and get almost the same picture!

Admire the Grand Torii Gate

Admire the Grand Torii Gate, one of the most visited attractions in the country. Would you believe there’s been a torii floating here since the 12^th century? Today’s vermilion gate dates is brand new and is an internationally recognised icon of Japan.

From July 2019 – December 2022, the Grand Torii underwent extensive restoration work. Its iconic vermilion colour was repainted for the first time in 15 years, and its roof replaced for the first time in 25 years. Damage inflicted upon the torii by tourists jamming coins into cracks were also investigated and repaired (more on this below).

Restoration was set to be completed by the 2020 Olympics but was delayed as the torii was found to be rotting from the inside. But now she’s complete, and isn’t she a beauty!

See the sacred deer

Make a furry friend out of the sacred deer that roam freely around the island. In ancient times, these deer were thought to be messengers from the gods.

TIP: Buy some deer food for 200 yen from a stall to feed the deer. Please don’t feed them human food because it has been known to make deer quite sick. Be warned, they will go after your paper items such as bags and maps, and may kick or butt if they feel threatened. Overtourism in Japan is having a negative impact on these deer, so please be mindful when you visit their home and don’t be that annoying tourist.

Go souvenir shopping

Stroll along Omotesando street. You’ll find lots of cafes, ice cream shops, souvenir stores and the world’s largest wooden rice spoon located near the post office.

Keep an eye out for stealthy deer trying to nibble your belongings! Miyajima is one of my favourite places in Japan for souvenirs, they have so much variety in the small, family-run stores.

Head to Mount Misen’s peak

The quickest and less-exhausting way is to take the ropeway up to the top of Mt Misen, the island’s highest peak. There are hikes too that I’ll detail below:

Cable car to the summit

I definitely recommend the cable car! But keep reading below to find out what to do if it’s sporadically closed (which happened to me during two of my three trips, urgh).

• One way: Adults 1100 yen each
• Round trip: Adults 2000 yen each
• More details for children and groups here 
• Operating hours: 9:00 – 16:00 daily.

The first cable car from Momijidani fits about 6 people, before transferring into a larger cable car at Kayatani to reach Shishiiwa Observatory at the summit. The views are breathtaking and you can see all the way back to Hiroshima!

Hike to the summit

Having visited Miyajima three times now and the ropeway being closed on two of these visits (how unlucky), I decided to make the trek up to the summit during my second trip.

You guys, this is not for the faint-hearted. Despite being a hot summer’s day, I was all gung-ho to be rewarded by views from Mt Misen over the island and knew it would be a tough slog.

I took the easiest Daishoin Route but in all honesty, I made it about 30 minutes out of 2.5 hours up the mountain and I was completely exhausted! I am a petite build and not overly unfit, but the stairs are just never-ending without many spots to stop and take a break.

I made it to the point 5 lookout on the below map, absolutely sweating like a pig. As I wanted to explore more of the island and knew I had at least another 2 hours of climbing to reach the summit (and BACK again!), I cut my losses and just enjoyed the view from Satomichaya Observatory. 

NOTE: There are warning signs on the path about viper snakes and wasps. The snakes are poisonous, so tread carefully and allow these creatures ample space if you encounter them. The signs also include a phone number to call if you are bitten.

Visit Daisho-in, other temples and gardens

Make your way up the mountain to visit Daisho-in, the temple where Shingo Bhuddism was first practiced on the island. It even has a sand mandala created by monks who visited here from Tibet. Don’t miss the garden of thousands of jizo (stone guardians) with their colourful hats and Henjo Cave, its ceiling covered by glowing yellow lanterns. 

Enjoy a break at Momiji-dani-koen (Maple Garden). In summer months, the shade is a welcome escape from the warmth. During autumn, this pretty park along the river comes alive in red hues as the leaves begin to change.

On your way back down to the town, pay Taho-to a visit, Miyajima’s five-story pagoda. Stroll around the loop path to admire it from different angles.

Visiting Miyajima at low tide

Many Miyajima travel guides will stipulate that it’s an absolute must to visit during high tide. While this may be a wonderful sight, the reality is it may not always be possible.

We can’t all plan our holidays around cycles of the moon! Obviously, if you’re fortunate enough to visit during high tide you’ll get to see the Grand Torii in all its glory (oh, that rhymes!)

Check the tide information before your trip to find out whether the Grand Torii will be in high or low tide during your visit.

Soooo, if it happens to be low tide – do not be disappointed! I’m here to tell you why visiting Miyajima at low tide can be beneficial, too:

• If it’s low tide, you get the added benefit of being able to walk right underneath this superb structure! Thousands of barnacles call the Grand Torii their home, and worshippers balanced 100 yen coins between them as an offering to the shrine and for good luck. In 2018, overtourism contributed to the destruction of the gate, which I detail below. Take note and please don’t be that annoying tourist.
• Take some awesome close-up photos of the gate, including the intricate details written on its top.
• Appreciate how big is actually is and how high the tide reaches by examining the black marks left on the gate. This is hard to do from the shoreline!
• Look back onto Itsukushima Shrine and Miyajima island from a different perspective.

 

More helpful tips for visiting Miyajima

• Take enough cash for the day! To my knowledge there are only two ATMs on the entire island: One near the post office and on the other side of town along Hatsukaichi street. You may be lucky to find on in the foreign exchange centre, but best to avoid lengthy queues and be prepared beforehand.
• Pick up a few souvenirs from Omotesando street. I bought a lovely a silk-screen scarf, T-shirts, folding fans, tsuko-tegata and delicious sweets unique to the Hiroshima region. Read more in my guide to meaningful Japanese souvenirs.
• Try the local specialty, momiji-manju! These mini cakes are a specialty to Miyajima and were first created during the late Meiji period. Famed for its maple-leaf shape, momiji-manju are filled with red bean paste or many other flavours (invluding vanilla bean custard, my favourite!). They’re named after Moniji-dani (Maple Leaf Valley) on Miyajima island.

TIP: You can do this guided trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day, but I believe it may be a bit rushed. Hiroshima and her sights, including the Memorial Museum, deserve at least one full day of your time to begin to appreciate the scale of what happened in this city on that fateful day in August 1945. Sure, you can quickly skim over them to say you’ve been if your time is limited. But as I always like to recommend, you get more out of your experience if you’re able to take your time.

 

Concluding how to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima by ferry