Miyajima (officially Itsukushima) is a sacred island 30 minutes from Hiroshima where the great orange torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine appears to float on the sea at high tide — one of Japan's Three Views (Nihon Sankei) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island's tame deer, forested mountain trails to Mount Misen's summit, and the five-storey pagoda above the shrine make Miyajima Japan's most photogenic day trip. The island is best visited at high tide (when the torii floats) and in the evening after ferry crowds disperse.
Miyajima Highlights & Attractions
⛩️ Itsukushima Shrine Floating Torii
Free (shrine ¥300)The 16-metre orange torii gate standing in the tidal shallows of Hiroshima Bay is one of Japan's most iconic images. Built in 1168 and rebuilt multiple times since, the current gate dates to 1875. At high tide the gate appears to float on the sea; at low tide visitors can walk to the base and touch the barnacle-encrusted pillars.
🏛️ Itsukushima Shrine
¥300The shrine buildings of Itsukushima are built on stilts over the tidal shallows, connected by orange-painted corridors that follow the bay's contours. The noh theatre stage, the Heiden offering hall, and the main hall (Honden) date to the 12th century design. At high tide the water laps beneath the corridor floors, and the shrine appears entirely surrounded by sea.
🏔️ Mount Misen Summit
¥2,000 ropeway returnThe sacred mountain at Miyajima's heart reaches 530 metres and offers panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and up to 70 islands on clear days. The summit contains several ancient Buddhist halls including the eternal flame hall where Kobo Daishi (Kukai) lit a fire in 806 CE that has burned without interruption for over 1,200 years.
🗼 Five-Storey Pagoda (Gojunoto)
Free to viewThe red five-storey pagoda on the hillside above the shrine has stood since 1407 and is one of Japan's most beautifully proportioned wooden pagodas. Its position above the torii gate appears in countless photographs of Miyajima. The pagoda is not open to the interior but is freely visible and photographable from the shrine area.
🦌 Island Deer
FreeMiyajima's several hundred wild sika deer wander freely through the town streets, ferry pier area, and shrine approach paths. Unlike Nara's deer, Miyajima's deer are wilder and not fed commercially — they are accustomed to humans but do not seek attention. Warning: deer will steal unguarded food and map pamphlets; keep bags closed and food concealed.
🍱 Momiji Manju & Anago Meshi
¥130–¥2,500Miyajima's two must-eat foods: maple leaf-shaped cakes (momiji manju) freshly baked at street-front ovens and filled with red bean paste, custard, or chocolate; and anago meshi — grilled sea eel rice served in lacquer boxes at the island's landmark restaurants. The anago bowl at Fujitaya restaurant near the ferry pier has been served for over 100 years.
Stay in Hiroshima near Miyajima
Hiroshima is the most convenient base for Miyajima (40 minutes by JR + ferry). Staying on Miyajima itself is possible at a small number of ryokan — the island after 17:00 with no day-trippers is remarkably peaceful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Miyajima from Hiroshima?
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR San'yo Main Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (about 25 to 30 minutes, ¥410), then board the JR ferry to Miyajima Pier (10 minutes, ¥200 or covered by JR Pass). Total journey time is about 40 to 45 minutes. Alternatively, take the Hiroshima Electric Railway Streetcar from Hiroshima Station (Line 2 bound for Miyajima-guchi) directly to the ferry pier (about 70 minutes, ¥280). The streetcar is slower but offers a scenic ride through central Hiroshima including past the Peace Memorial Park area. Two ferry operators serve the crossing: JR Miyajima Ferry (JR Pass accepted) and Matsudai Kisen Ferry (slightly shorter pier walk). Ferries run approximately every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day.
What is the best time to visit Miyajima and should I see the torii at high or low tide?
Both high tide and low tide offer different but equally valid experiences of the torii gate. At high tide, the gate appears to float independently on the sea — the classic postcard image, best for photography. At low tide, visitors can walk out to the base of the gate and touch the pillars — a tactile experience impossible at high tide. The tidal cycle shifts by approximately 50 minutes each day. Tide tables for Miyajima are available on the Miyajima Tourist Association website; checking tides before visiting allows you to time your arrival. Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage (mid to late November) are the most beautiful times. For the fewest crowds, visit early morning (before 9:00) or evening (after 16:00 when day-trippers return to Hiroshima).
How do I hike to the summit of Mount Misen?
Mount Misen (530 metres) is accessible by two methods: ropeway or hiking trail. The ropeway from Momijidani Park (20-minute walk from the ferry pier) ascends to Shishi-iwa Station in 15 minutes (¥2,000 return, ¥1,100 one-way), from which a 30-minute walk leads to the Misen summit. Three hiking trails ascend the mountain on foot: the Momijidani Course (1.8 km, 90 minutes up), the Omoto Course (3.0 km, 2 hours), and the Daisho-in Course (1.7 km, 90 minutes). The Daisho-in Course passes ancient stone lanterns and Buddhist sculptures and is the most atmospheric route. The summit offers 360-degree views of the Seto Inland Sea islands. The eternal flame at the main summit hall has been burning for 1,200 years since Kobo Daishi (Kukai) lit it.
What food is Miyajima known for?
Miyajima has two signature local foods. Momiji manju (maple leaf-shaped cakes filled with sweet red bean paste or custard) are sold everywhere on the island and are the quintessential Miyajima souvenir — freshly baked versions at the ovens near the ferry pier are significantly better than packaged versions. Anago (sea eel, not freshwater eel) is Miyajima's premium local seafood — the Seto Inland Sea produces exceptional anago, and anago rice bowls (anago meshi) in the main street restaurants are a regional speciality not found in standard Japanese restaurants elsewhere. Oysters from Hiroshima Prefecture (the largest oyster production prefecture in Japan) are also widely available: grilled, in hot pot (dotenabe), or on the half shell at stalls near the ferry.