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From deer-filled streets to sacred shrines and scenic mountaintop views, Miyajima is a must-visit island full of nature, culture, and scenic hikes.

A scenic view from a boat deck looking toward Miyajimas mountainous coastline, under a partly cloudy sky, with calm blue water in the foreground.

Our Family Trip to Miyajima

While traveling through southern Japan, Miyajima quickly stole our hearts and became one of our favorite stops. In this travel guide, we’ll share the highlights of our visit—from exploring the iconic Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社) and hiking up Mount Misen (弥山), to spotting giant rice scoops and unwinding in a cozy ryokan.

Getting to Miyajima (Itsukushima)

A white and red ferry named Miyajima Maru is docked at a pier in Miyajima, with mountains and water in the background. Orange traffic cones line the dock, and the ferry displays a JR logo.

We started from Hiroshima Station and took the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station, which took about 30 minutes. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, the ride is fully covered. From the station, it’s a short 5-minute walk to the JR Ferry Terminal. Just follow the signs, and you’ll find small shops and stalls along the way selling local snacks like momiji manju (maple-leaf-shaped cakes).

We can even watched the cakes being made fresh by machine, which was a fun moment for the kids.

The JR ferry ride across the Onoseto Strait takes about 10 minutes and departs every 15 minutes during peak times. It’s also covered by the JR Pass.

First Impressions of the Island

The iconic red torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine stands in the water, framed by mountains and a coastal town on Miyajima Island, Japan, beneath a clear sky.

As we neared the island by ferry, the torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine seemed to rise out of the sea. At low tide, visitors can walk right up to it. When we first arrived around 3 p.m., the tide was low. When we came back later that evening, high tide had returned, creating that magical “floating” effect.

Although the island is officially named Itsukushima, most people call it Miyajima, meaning “Shrine Island.” Even Japanese guidebooks use the more familiar name.

Since we arrived later than planned, we skipped sightseeing and headed to our hotel—Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto. The hotel offers a free shuttle from the ferry pier, which took about 15 minutes. After checking in, we had a relaxing dinner and a quiet evening stroll. Most shops close early, and nightlife is minimal, which added to the peaceful charm.

Visiting Itsukushima Shrine and Mount Misen

A traditional Japanese shrine with red pillars stands over water on Miyajima, with a multi-tiered pagoda and green trees visible in the background under a clear sky.

We started the next day with a hearty Japanese breakfast before heading out. Our first stop was Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its vermilion buildings built over the sea.

From there, we took the ropeway up Mount Misen and hiked to the summit for panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. The forested trails felt peaceful and spiritual, and the views were well worth the effort.

Deer roam freely all over the island—from temple grounds to streets and shops. They’re cute but bold, especially if they see you holding food.

After our hike, we returned to the downtown shopping street. It’s compact—only about four or five blocks—but full of charm. We browsed souvenir shops, picked up grilled oysters and fried momiji manju, and stopped by the world’s largest rice scoop (shamoji), a local symbol of good fortune.

Other points of interest on the island include:

  • Five-Story Pagoda (Gojunoto) – Striking red pagoda with coastal views
  • Daiganji Temple – A peaceful temple near the shrine
  • Shinmesha Shrine – A lesser-known but quiet spiritual site

How to Get to Miyajima

Train

  • Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station (about 30 minutes).
  • Walk 5 minutes to the JR Miyajima Ferry terminal. The ferry takes 10 minutes and runs every 15 minutes during the day.
  • Total travel time: 45 minutes.

Bus

  • Not recommended. Trains and ferries are more direct and efficient for reaching the island.

Taxi

  • A taxi from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi takes about 40 minutes and costs around ¥6,000–¥8,000.

Pro Tip: Try to arrive during low tide if you want to walk out to the base of the torii gate, or visit at high tide for photos of it “floating.”

Should You Visit Miyajima?

A lively street market in Miyajima, Japan, with people walking, colorful signs and banners, covered walkways, and shops selling food and goods on both sides.

Definitely. Miyajima is one of the most rewarding places we visited in Japan. It has a perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural depth, and family-friendly adventure. The peaceful pace, beautiful views, friendly deer, and iconic torii gate made it feel like a different world.

If your travels bring you anywhere near Hiroshima, don’t miss it! Miyajima is absolutely worth the detour.

More to Explore Nearby

Once you’ve explored the main island highlights, don’t miss these scenic and spiritual sites just a short walk or hike away:

  • Mount Misen – Take the ropeway or hike to Miyajima’s sacred summit for panoramic island views.

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