Miyajima day trip from Hiroshima city is a must do on your trip to Hiroshima. You can go see the floating gate of Itsukushima Shrine, or even walk to it if the timing is right. There are other great places to visit too! Here is a guide for Miyajima Island for a day,
Things You Need To Know Before Miyajima Trip
Can You do a Day Trip to Miyajima From Hiroshima?
Yes, you can! I recommend you waking up early to be able to spend more time in Miyajima island.
Access To/From Miyajima Island
Hiroshima City To Miyajima Island
From Hiroshima city,
- Hiroshima City 🚃 –> Hiroshima port ⛴ –> Miyajima Island
- Hiroshima City 🚃 (JR or Hiroshima Dentetsu) –> Miyajimaguchi ⛴ –>Miyajima Island
If you go to Miyajimaguchi from Hiroshima city, you can use the JR Line or Hiroshima Dentetsu (street car). You can choose which train to use depending on where you depart.
Just saying, I used the JR Line to get to Miyajimaguchi from the hotel that I stayed at.
Miyajima Island to Hiroshima City
The same as how to get to Miyajima Island above, you can choose how to go back to Hiroshima city.
- Miyajima island ⛴ –> Miyajimaguchi 🚃(JR or Hiroshima Dentetsu) –> Hiroshima city
- Miyajima island ⛴ –> Hiroshima Port 🚃 –> Hiroshima city
Check the Time Table for Ferry
You need to get on a ferry to get to and from Miyajima Island, unless you stay on the island. You might want to check the time table to plan well.
Check the Tide Schedule
You might know that the tide affects a lot on the view of Miyajima Island, especially Itsukushima Shrine.
If you want
- to walk inside the shrine (main building) while the water is still underneath
- to walk to the Torii gate
you should check the schedule for the tide. It’s said that you can walk to the Torii Gate if the tide is less than 100cm. I couldn’t find it in English, but I could find the data for the tide on the Miyajima Sightseeing Association.
Miyajima Island Itinerary
Depending on how long you can spend on the island, your plan may be different. I made some plans;
- A day – half day
- 3h
- 2h
You can also adjust your schedule/timeline depending on
- The tide schedule
- Appetite
- Crowds
- Weather
- How long to stay
- Places you want to visit
Half Day to 1 Day on Miyajima Island
If you have a day or at least a half day to spend in Miyajima Island, I’d recommend this plan below.
- Miyajima Island Ferry Terminal
- Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street for food and souvenirs
- The Stone Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine
- Mikasahama Beach – walking to the Torii Gate
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Nishi Matsubara
- Daiganji Temple (Itsukushima Benzaiten)
- Daishoin Temple
- Pagoda (Itsukushima Shrine)
- Machiya Street
- Nagahama Shrine
- Miyajima Island Ferry Terminal
Miyajima Ferry Terminal
From either Hiroshima Port or Miyajimaguchi, you will arrive at Miyajima Island Ferry Terminal. You can go to bathroom, get whatever you need at small shop (kiosk), etc. at terminal.
Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
Walking to the right from the terminal and getting to the Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street. There are restaurants, cafes, shops, etc., on the Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street. You can enjoy shopping, eating food, dining-in, etc.
Public Bathroom
There is a clean public bathroom, and you can change a diaper there too.
The Stone Torii Gate
You will find the huge stone torii gate built in the Meiji period. You can walk either the Miyajima Omotesando shopping street or the path by the beach. Both ways lead to the stone torii gate.
Mikasahama Beach : The Closest to the Great Torii Gate
Going through the stone torii gate, you will arrive at Mikasahama beach. It’s a nice place to see the great torii gate, and also you can walk to the Great Torii Gate if the tide is low.
Itsukushima Shrine (Main Building)
You can go inside the main building if you pay. It’s such a beautiful and spiritual atmosphere with National Treasures and National Important Cultural Property. I loved the hallway, which is breathtakingly beautiful!
The floor is made of wood with a space between for high tide, I recommend not wearing high heels or something that could get stuck.
Nishi Matsubara
There are stone benches where you can quietly sit and just enjoy the view of the Great Torii gate. You might have company, too 🦌
Daiganji Temple – Itsukushima Benzaiten
Before the order to split Buddhism and Shinto in the Meiji period, Daiganji Temple had been in charge of construction/fixing of Itsukushima shrine.
Itsukushima Benzaiten is famous as one of Japan 3 Great Benzaitens.
Daishoin Temple : the Oldest Temple in the island
Daishoin Temple is the oldest temple in Miyajima Island. Walking to the hill from the exit area of Itsukushima shrine, passing by the creek with nature for 15 minutes or so, you get to the gorgeous gate, which leads up the stairs to the temple. I personally liked the path. We saw a lot of deer too.
It’s a pretty big temple, so it takes time to see everything. I personally liked the Manpukudo, where 7 kinds of God statues are there.
The Pagoda + Ryuzen no Matsu (Pine Tree)
The 5-layer pagoda of Itsukushima Shrine is located on the hill, a bit higher than its main building. Unfortunately, you cannot go inside.
There is a pine tree called “Ryuzen no Matsu” meaning the beard of the dragon. Very interesting shape, growing 10cm every year.
Machiya Street – The Old Time Vibes
This street used to be a main street before, with many shops, stores, Ryokans(hotels), people, etc. Today, not many people go but it’s very nice to walk and feel the old time vibes.
It’s a narrow street, so be careful for vehicles.
Nagahama Shrine : a Hidden Jam
Going back towards the ferry terminal, keep going to the opposite side, you will find Nagahama Jinja Shrine. It’s a very small shrine by the beach, with a Torii gate on the beach.
Miyajima Island Ferry Terminal
You can leave the island from the ferry terminal for Miyajimaguchi, Hiroshima port, etc. If you go to Miyajimaguchi, I recommend going to Takatsudo for Momiji Manju 🍁
Momiji Manju Takatsudo at Miyajimaguchi
This is the origin of Momiji Manju! Their Momiji Manju is the best in my opinion.
It takes about 10 minutes from Miyajimaguchi Ferry Terminal or Miyajimaguchi station.
Miyajima Island Itinerary & Map
I made a map with pins for where to go, and the route didn’t show as I wanted but I share it with you for your reference.
Miyajima Island for 3 Hours
If you only have 3 hours on Miyajima Island, maybe you can stay around the area close to the beach where it’s flat so that you don’t need to go uphill or downhill. You can still go to some of the famous spots!
- The Stone Torii Gate
- Mikasahama Beach
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Nishi Matsubara
- Daiganji Temple
- Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
*not including the time to access to the island
Miyajima Island for 2 Hours
For only 2 hours on the island, but to go to the very typical sightseeing spots in Miyajima Island;
- The Stone Torii Gate
- Mikasahama Beach
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
*not including the time to access to the island
Best Things To Do in Miyajima Island
COMING SOON! I am going to write them in a different article.
Best Food in Miyajima Island
Food that you might want to eat in Miyajima Island, check Miyajima Best Street Food, Restaurant & Cafe
Miyajima Island is a perfect day trip from Hiroshima city; a spiritual island full of incredible temples and shrines with unique street food!
