Is Miyajima Worth Visiting for a Day Trip or Overnight Stay?
Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Kay
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If you’re going to travel to Hiroshima, you might be wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to visit Miyajima Island as well.
Miyajima Island, known as Itsukushima Island, is one of the most famous places in Japan, so to get straight to the point, you’d be making a huge mistake to skip visiting. And I’m not biased just because I used to live a twenty-minute train ride away from Miyajima Station — I still visit every year, and I’m always blown away by the island’s beauty and cultural relics.
In this article, I’ll share why Miyajima is a must-visit destination to add to your Japan itinerary, whether you should do a day trip or stay overnight, and provide some helpful tips from a yearly visitor.
Table of Contents
Why Visit Miyajima? What Makes It Special
Miyajima Island (宮島), also known as Itsukushima (厳島), is located less than an hour from central Hiroshima. Since it’s nestled in the Seto Inland Sea, it offers stunning mountain and sea views. In fact, it boasts one of the three most famous views in Japan and has also been designated as a Special Historic Site, fitting for a place that’s believed to be home to the Gods.
Although it houses several shrines and temples, Miyajima is particularly famous for Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has a vermilion torii gate that looks like it’s floating on the sea. There are several water-based torii gates in Japan, but what is unique about this one is that during low tide, you can walk straight up to it. I’ve done this countless times, but it never fails to be a fantastic experience!
Miyajima is also famous for its stunning seasonal foliage, such as autumn leaves and cherry blossoms in the spring, as well as its many wild deer.
⛩️ Fun Fact: Miyajima is considered so sacred that no one is allowed to give birth or die on the island! This is why you won’t find any maternity wards or graves here.
How to Get to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima
To get to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima Station, take the JR train, specifically the Sanyo Line, to Miyajimaguchi Station. It will take about 30 minutes and cost around 420 yen one-way.
Once you reach Miyajimaguchi Station, you’ll need to take a ferry to get to Miyajima Island (specifically Itsukushima).
Ferries depart from Miyajimaguchi, a short walk from Miyajimaguchi Station. There’s a ferry once every 15 minutes between 8 AM to 6 PM. The ferry takes about ten minutes to reach Miyajima Island.
You can also take the streetcar from Hondori in Hiroshima straight to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi Station, which is right next to Miyajimaguchi’s ferry dock. This takes about an hour in total and costs 240 yen one-way, so it’s cheaper than the Sanyo Line.
If you’re near the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, you might want to consider skipping the ferry altogether and going straight to Miyajima Island by boat. This takes only 45 minutes, making it the quickest route, but costs 2000 yen one way.
Is Miyajima Worth It for a Day Trip?
Miyajima Island is commonly done as a day trip. I’ve always visited Miyajima as a day trip and managed to see most of what it has to offer. Seeing the Great Torii Gate during high tide alone is worth the trip! It’s absolutely magical.
Considering how close Miyajima is to Hiroshima, it would truly be a shame not to visit Miyajima as a day trip at least.
Below are the top things to do when visiting Miyajima for one day.
The Best Things to Do on Miyajima
Once you’ve reached the island by ferry, you might feel overwhelmed with all there is to do. However, fear not because everything worth seeing is quite close to each other and within walking distance, so you can easily go from one to another.
Here’s what I recommend doing in order.
See Itsukushima Shrine’s Great Torii Gate
Head first to The Great Torii Gate. Depending on the time, you’ll be able to view it during high tide or low tide. Both are worth seeing — high tide gives you beautiful photos like this:
While low tide allows you to go straight up to the torii gate and touch it. It’s believed that touching the gate will give you good luck.
Pay Respects to Itsukushima Shrine
A UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built in 593, Itsukushima Shrine is one of the most beautiful shrines I have ever seen. The shrine is stunning during high tide, and the view of the torii gate from it is fantastic, so that’s the best time to visit.
Make sure to grab a goshuincho from here as well! I have one and it’s my favorite.
Marvel at the Views from Mount Misen
The view from Mount Misen is absolutely breathtaking. You can’t see the torii gate or Itsukushima Shrine from it, but you can see the Seto Inland Sea and the surrounding islands.
You can either take a ropeway to Mount Misen’s summit or hike up to it using one of three routes that will take you through Miyajima’s Primeval Forest:
Daishoin Route
This is the least steep hike, but it takes about 1.5 hours. However, you’ll be able to see Shiraito Falls and the Ruins of Satomi Teahouse.
Momijidan Route
This is the steepest route but also the shortest, at around an hour. There isn’t as much to see compared to the other routes.
Personally, I do not recommend the Momijidani route because although it’s recommended for beginners, I’ve found it’s quite intense. You need to climb up tall rocks and stairs, so it’s not for the faint of heart.
Omoto Route
Starting at Omoto Shrine, this route takes you past lots of stone statues as well as Iwayadaishi Cave. It takes almost two hours in total to reach the summit of Mount Misen using the Omoto route.
Miyajima Ropeway
The ropeway, which starts from Momijidani Station, runs every ten minutes, but keep in mind that it consists of two cable cars, meaning you need to switch midway through.
You can purchase tickets from a machine at Momijidani Station:
A one-way ticket costs 1100 yen for adults while a round-trip costs 2000 yen. If you feel like saving money and getting some exercise, you can purchase a one-way ticket up and then hike down.
The ropeway station at the top of Mount Misen is Shishiiwa Station. Once here, you can go to the Shishiiwa Observation Deck, but these views don’t compare to the Mt. Misen Observation Deck.
Here’s what the view from Shishiiwa Observation Deck looks like:
Mt. Misen Observation Deck is about a 30-minute hike away from Shishiiwa Station. The hike isn’t too intense, but you also need to be in fairly good physical condition to do it. Expect to hike down for about 10 minutes and then up for 20 minutes.
I’m always tired by the time I reach the Mt. Misen Observation Deck, but it’s so worth it. The view of the Seto Inland Sea and Shikoku in the distance is absolutely breathtaking! (My pictures do it no justice.)
Here’s what the Mt. Misen Observation Deck looks like:
There are no vending machines at Mount Misen Observatory, so make sure you buy drinks at Shishiiwa Observation Deck if you need one!
If you ride the cable car too late (so around 4 PM), you can still see the views from Shishiiwa Observation Deck, but the Mt. Misen Observation Deck will be closed, and you also won’t be able to make it back in time to catch the ropeway down.
For those using the ropeway to go up to Mount Misen and then hike to the Mount Misen Observatory, expect it to take at least two hours in total (there and back). It’s also very important to note that the way down can have quite a long wait time, which can be up to an hour during peak times. This is why I don’t recommend going up to Mount Misen if you’re short on time.
If you decide to visit Mount Misen, make sure you dress appropriately. Do not wear flip-flops or any other kind of shoes that might cause you to slip and fall. Bring gloves and wear a proper jacket in winter because it will be very cold. And although there are vending machines, I recommend bringing water and a snack like onigiri (take your trash back with you).
Explore the Omotesando Shopping Street
You can’t miss Omotesando Shopping Street, which stretches from near the station all the way to Itsushima Shrine. Here you’ll find lots of things to eat, such as fresh oyster that’s straight from the Seto Inland Sea surrounding Miyajima, and my favorite, fried Momiji Manju. (Note that if you haven’t had oyster before, be careful because you can get sick from it, and try not to eat too many.)
I’ve written an article all about what to eat on Miyajima, so make sure to check it out!
Find the Giant Rice Paddle
Miyajima is famous for its rice paddles, called shamoji, as it’s believed this kitchen tool was invented by a monk who resided on the island.
So unsurprisingly, there’s a giant one here that’s very famous, making it a great picture spot. There’s a free observation deck here as well, where you can get some nice birds-eye photos of Miyajima from the 3rd floor.
Visit Hokoku Jinja and the Five-Storied Pagoda
Located near Itsukushima Shrine, these are impossible to miss. You need to take off your shoes to see the inside of Hokoku Jinja, but the antique Japanese art throughout absolutely makes it worth it.
The Five-Storied Pagoda right next to Hokoku Jinja is fantastic for photos, especially during spring and autumn.
Check Out Daigan-ji Temple
Daigan-ji Temple isn’t a must-visit place, but if you have time, it’s absolutely worth checking out, especially since the temple dates back to the 1200s.
See Local Sealife at Miyajima Aquarium
Miyajima Aquarium may be small, but it’s a wonderful place to see local sea life. Notably, they have belugas. I also like the room resembling a Japanese festival, and you can learn about oyster farming as well.
Note that this aquarium only accepts cash. (One of the many reasons why it’s important to carry cash in Japan.)
Staying Overnight on Miyajima: What to Expect
I never had the need to stay on Miyajima overnight since I used to live close by and then married a Hiroshima local with family in the area. However, staying overnight on Miyajima was an unforgettable experience, and one I would recommend to every traveler if their budget allows it.
At night, you’ll be able to see some lanterns at Itsukushima Shrine lit up, and it’s considerably less busy. We felt like we had the shrine to ourselves at certain times!
The Great Torii Gate is also lit up at night with the sparkling city lights in the background.
Most tourists don’t show up on the island until around 8 AM to 9 AM. This means that if you wake up early enough the next morning, you’ll be able to explore a very peaceful Miyajima. Witnessing the Great Torii Gate in the quiet of the morning, with hardly anyone else around, was unforgettable, especially with the pastel sky in the background.
I was also able to ride the Miyajima Ropeway to Mount Misen right when it opened at 9 AM. There were a handful of people waiting when I got there shortly before 9 AM, so I didn’t have to wait. This was during a peak period, and I remember when we arrived on the island the day before, there was an hour-long wait just for the ropeway!
If you decide to hike Mount Misen on the day you arrive on Miyajima Island, you can relax afterward in an onsen if you stay at a ryokan like we did.
However, there is one con to staying overnight on Miyajima.
Almost everything closes at around 5 PM and opens at 9 AM, including restaurants and cafes, so you might have trouble finding something to do or even to eat. There are convenience stores, though.
Where to Stay on Miyajima
We stayed at Miyajima Hotel Makoto, which is an affordable ryokan with a public bath. It’s a little dated, but the service was good, and it was clean and comfortable.
It’s also a bit of a walk away from the main part of Miyajima, but we didn’t mind because we got to see some interesting shops and parts of Miyajima that most tourists would never see.
We got the dinner plan with our stay, and the food was great, featuring Miyajima’s local seafood delicacies, especially oyster. That alone was worth the stay for us.
If you want an entire place to yourself, you might want to consider staying in Nakaya House, which is located very close to Itsukushima Shrine.
One place I want to stay at the next time I visit Miyajima is Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto. They have rooms with open-air baths and fantastic views, and the food looks amazing.
So, Is Miyajima Worth Visiting?
As you can see, Miyajima is a stunning destination in Japan that’s worth visiting for those who enjoy nature and want unforgettable views.
Personally, I like Miyajima Island more than Hiroshima City.
Helpful Tips for Visiting Miyajima
Below are some tips that every visitor should know before going to Miyajima.
Wear comfortable shoes
There is a lot of walking on Miyajima, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes (ie, sneakers). If you want to go up to the torii gate during low tide, know that you’ll be walking on wet sand. Your shoes might get wet, so don’t wear flip flops, high heels, or anything you wouldn’t want damaged.
Visit Miyajima first thing in the morning
If you’re doing a day trip, or even a half-day trip, I recommend visiting in the morning so you can see and do as much as possible without having to wait in lines, or at least being to work around them. The last thing you want is to run out of time to do something. For instance, the wait time for the ropeway when we once arrived around 2 PM was over an hour!
I recommend trying to arrive around 9 AM, or even earlier, if possible.
The only exception to this is if you stay overnight or visit Miyajima on a tour.
Be cautious of the deer
Miyajima is home to wild Sika deer — in fact, you’ll see them right when you exit the ferry station! These deer are sacred, believed to be messengers of the gods according to Shintoism.
The deer are very cute, especially the fawns. But since these are wild animals, please be careful when approaching them, and do not, under any circumstances, feed them or eat near them. (If you have food on you, they will know and try to nip at you. Once they tried to eat a map I was holding back in the day, before smartphones were a thing!)
The deer is also another reason you don’t want to wear flip flops or nice shoes because you will be stepping in deer poop at some point.
Be careful when climbing Mount Misen
If you decide to hike up to Mount Misen using one of the three routes I introduced earlier, please exercise caution. I decided I wanted to try climbing at 8 AM using the Momijidani course since there was no one around, but in the end, I decided not to do this.
Why?
Well, it was exactly because no one was around. The mountain is home to wild animals, including poisonous snakes, and although Japan is generally a safe country, I felt it wasn’t wise for a woman to be climbing a mountain alone when there was no one around to ask for help.
Don’t visit Miyajima when it rains
Miyajima’s famous sights are all outdoors, so apart from the aquarium, you won’t have much to do when it rains. Sure, you can see Itsukushima Shrine and the Grand Torii Gate, but your photos won’t be great either.
I once took my relatives from Canada to Miyajima Island when it was raining, and they were absolutely miserable. To quote my uncle, about ten minutes after we arrived, “Let’s go back.”
When the weather is particularly bad, the ropeway to Mount Misen will stop as well.
FAQ
Here are some commonly asked questions about Miyajima.
How much is the visitor tax for Miyajima Island?
The visitor tax for Miyajima is 100 yen per person.
When is the best time to visit Miyajima Island?
The best time of year to visit Miyajima Island is during spring (end of March, beginning of April) if you want to see cherry blossoms, and autumn (November) if you want to see the fall foliage.
However, keep in mind that since this is peak tourist season, it will be very crowded.
If you don’t care about the seasonal foliage, I suggest visiting in May. The weather is quite nice during this time, and the trees are beautifully lush and green.
When should I avoid visiting Miyajima Island?
I don’t recommend visiting from July to September due to the heat. There’s a fireworks festival in October that would be wise to avoid as well — I went once, years before Japan became a popular tourist destination, and it was insanely crowded. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like now! But hey, if you like crowds, by all means, go!
I also suggest avoiding the first week of January since this is the Japanese New Year’s period and many people will be going to Itsukushima Shrine to pay their first respects of the new year to the Shinto Gods.
We go to Miyajima Island every year during New Year’s since my husband’s family is from Hiroshima, but this year it was shockingly crowded, and most people weren’t international tourists. We’re guessing it’s because of social media, because it has never been like this before.
Which ferry should I take to Miyajima Island?
There are two ferry companies, JR West and the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Tourist Ship.
There isn’t much of a difference between the two ferry companies in terms of frequency or cost. Both run at 15-minute intervals during peak hours and cost 200 yen one-way.
With JR West, however, you can use your Japan Rail Pass to board. The JR West ferry also travels closer to the Grand Torii Gate.
What is the ferry schedule for Miyajima?
The ferry schedule for JR West is on their website, as is the schedule for the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Tourist Ship is here.
Do I need to buy a ferry ticket for Miyajima or book in advance?
No, you do not need to purchase a ticket for the Miyajima ferry ahead of time or book it. You can buy them once you’re at Miyajimaguchi Terminal, or use an IC Card to board the ferry.
Can Miyajima be seen in half a day?
Yes, you can absolutely visit Miyajima for only half a day. However, I recommend visiting in the morning because you might find that you want to stay longer, especially if you want to see the torii gate during both low tide and high tide.
Many of Miyajima’s shops, as well as the ropeway to Mount Misen, also close quite early at around 5 PM.
Are there any tours for Miyajima?
Yes, there are several tours for Miyajima. Here are my recommendations:
- Hiroshima and Miyajima Tour: If you’re short on time, this tour will take you to must-see destinations in Hiroshima as well as Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima. There is also an option for those traveling from Osaka.
- Miyajima Walking Tour: For those who want a small tour group to explore Miyajima with, this is for you. The tour lasts a whopping 6.5 hours, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth!
- Miyajima Private Tour with Government Guide: If you would prefer having a tour guide all to yourself, this is a great option. The tour is led by a licensed government guide and lasts about four hours, so you have plenty of time to explore on your own as well if you’d like.
Can you swim at Miyajima Island?
No, you cannot go swimming at Miyajima Island.
Is Miyajima kid-friendly?
Yes, it is! I’ve written an article all about visiting Miyajima Island with children, so please give it a read!