Planning to take a day journey to Miyajima from Hiroshima? We’ve put collectively the right someday Miyajima itinerary!
Off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture lies Miyajima, a small island attracting guests from all the world over.
Its Grand Torii Gate is acknowledged as one of many three most aesthetic views in all of Japan – also called nihon sankei (日本三景). At sundown, Miyajima’s most well-known landmark appears downright fairytale-like, nearly as if somebody forged a spell on the surroundings.
Our information will offer you an itinerary for a Miyajima day journey that not solely covers Itsukushima Shrine and its floating vermilion gate however all of the worthwhile locations this stunning island has to supply.
Miyajima Itinerary Overview & Map
When visiting Hiroshima, taking a day journey to Miyajima is sort of important. This stunning place makes for the right addition to your Japan itinerary.
One Day Miyajima Itinerary
Need to take advantage of out of a Miyajima day journey from Hiroshima? Right here is the right way to go about it.
1. Journey To Miyajima From Hiroshima
Our Miyajima itinerary begins with a 30-minute prepare journey from Hiroshima Station. Take the JR Sanyo Line (sure for Iwakuni) to Miyajimaguchi Station. From right here, stroll round 5 minutes to the close by ferry terminal.
You don’t must ebook your tickets prematurely. Crossing over to Miyajima from Miyajimaguchi will solely take 10 minutes and the ferries often function on a really common schedule, a number of instances an hour.
There are two main firms to select from – the JR West Miyajima Ferry and the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen. Every of them expenses 180 Yen for a one-way journey. When you’ve got the JR Pass, be sure to make use of the JR West Miyajima Ferry for a free journey.
2. Arrive At Miyajima Pier
Miyajima is total very mountainous. All of the well-known sightseeing spots and outlets are positioned within the higher half of the island, pretty near the pier. However nonetheless, be ready for lots of strolling all through the day.
When you arrive in Miyajima, stroll alongside the shore to succeed in the world surrounding Itsukushima Shrine. This could take round 10–quarter-hour. Quickly, you’ll be capable to make out the form of the shrine’s well-known vermilion gate in entrance of you, and dozens of deer.
Simply like Nara, Miyajima is well-known for its gentle-eyed furry residents. It even goes by the nickname “deer island”. Don’t allow them to trick you with their charming makes an attempt to steal meals out of your baggage although. They are often fairly crafty in the event that they wish to!
3. Ascend The Staircase To Senjōkaku Pavilion
Earlier than coming into Itsukushima Shrine, stroll up the small hill that can lead you to the 5-Storied Pagoda of Miyajima, and Senjōkaku Pavilion. Senjō (千畳) interprets as “one-thousand tatami mats”, which is a typical unit for measuring the scale of a room in Japan.
Senjōkaku Pavilion was initially commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587 and has by no means been absolutely accomplished after his loss of life. Its unfinishedness is what makes this place oddly charming.
Ensure that to take your footwear off earlier than exploring the large wood terrace and take a peek on the crystal blue Seto Inland Sea surrounding Miyajima. The view is 100% well worth the brief hike!
After trying out the world, stroll again all the way down to Itsukushima Shrine. It’s lastly time to see Miyajima’s most well-known landmark up shut…
4. Discover Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine (or Itsukushima-jinja) was designated a World Heritage Web site by UNESCO in 1996. The shrine itself was reportedly in-built 593 through the reign of Empress Suiko. Well-known for its purple torii gate, it steadily grew to become one of many most beloved places in Japan during the last a long time.
Coming down from Senjōkaku Pavilion, you need to be immediately heading in the direction of the doorway. The admission price for Itsukushima Shrine and the Treasure Corridor is 300 Yen every, the mixed ticket prices 500 Yen.
In Itsukushima Shrine, observe the course from the doorway on the east aspect to the exit on the west aspect, passing by all of the completely different buildings. On the elevated stage near the principle corridor, you’ll have an excellent view of the Grand Torii Gate.
The Treasure Corridor is positioned proper behind the western exit and homes round 4,000 historic and inventive artefacts. When shopping for the mixed ticket, it’s most handy to go to this place after Itsukushima Shrine.
5. Admire The Grand Torii Gate
The present Grand Torii Gate was in-built 1875. Between 2019 and 2022, it underwent in depth restoration and may now be unrestrictedly admired by guests from all around the world once more. It gained’t come as a shock that this is among the most famous landmarks in Japan.
Miyajima is influenced by sturdy tides. Whereas the excessive tide is the most well-liked time to go to the Grand Torii Gate, the low tide additionally comes with its benefits. In case you occur to go to throughout low tide at midday, don’t miss out on the possibility to stroll proper as much as the gate. Or postpone your stroll to the night, within the case of excessive tide.
It doesn’t matter what, both view is gorgeous and you’ll expertise each when spending an entire day on Miyajima. After taking your photos, it’s time to take a look at Mt. Misen.
6. Relish The View From Mt. Misen
From Itsukushima Shrine, stroll to the Miyajima Ropeway Momijidani Station. This could take round 10–quarter-hour. There’s a picturesque path main by way of Momijidani Park throughout the Momiji Bridge and the Momijidani Bridge.
Reaching 535m above sea degree, Mt. Misen is the very best peak on Miyajima. By ropeway, you first must go all the way in which as much as Shishiiwa Station together with a switch at Kayadani Station. From there, observe the trail as much as Mt. Misen Observatory on foot.
This requires a while and stamina, because the path is a bit of steep. Fortunately, there are some locations to cease by on the way in which just like the Everlasting Flame of Reikado Corridor. Some guests favor to return after going to Shishiiwa Observatory, however for a 360° panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea, climbing as much as Mt. Misen Observatory is critical.
In case you nonetheless wish to have sufficient time for some memento procuring and road meals tasting, be sure to not return too late. You will discover detailed info on the fares and working hours of the ropeway on their official site.
7. Store In Miyajima Omotesandō Buying Road
When you’ve returned to Momijidani Station, observe the trail again by way of Momijidani Park to the liveliest space of Miyajima. On Miyajima Omotesandō Buying Road, you’ll discover outlets promoting all types of handicrafts, souvenirs, and road meals.
Not solely is that this the right alternative to relaxation for some time in a café or restaurant, but in addition to style a few of Miyajima’s native specialities.
8. Strive Miyajima’s Well-known Momiji Manjū
There’s one explicit speciality it’s a must to attempt when visiting Miyajima. Momiji Manjū are small pastries formed like maple leaves, sometimes crammed with purple bean paste. However in the event you preserve your eyes open whereas strolling previous the shops and memento outlets within the space, you would possibly uncover different fancy flavours.
The Momijido Most important Retailer (紅葉堂本店) on Omotesandō Buying Road has a pleasant collection of fruity, candy and savoury fillings available. Except for the common Momiji Manjū, additionally they promote Agemomiji (揚げもみじ), a deep-fried model of Miyajima’s candy deal with that additionally is available in numerous flavours.
9. Watch The Sundown At The Grand Torii Gate
Earlier than nightfall, head again to the Grand Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine. In case you haven’t been capable of see the world throughout excessive tide or vice versa, that is your probability to make up for that.
On the proper second, the solar will peak by way of the four-pillar building, dyeing the frothy waves or moist sand beneath the gate within the deepest orange. After sundown, the sky above the encompassing mountains will nonetheless be glowing in heat colors for some time. It’s the right place to finish your Miyajima day journey.
10. Return To Hiroshima Station
With the darkish slowly taking up the island, our Miyajima itinerary involves an finish. It’s time to stroll again to Miyajima Pier and benefit from the sea breeze one final time earlier than boarding the ferry. From Miyajimaguchi Station, take the JR Sanyo Line to Hiroshima Station. Inside a complete of 40 minutes, you’ll be again in Hiroshima.
The ferries function very commonly till round 5PM or 6PM and cut back their frequency shortly thereafter.
How To Get To Miyajima From Hiroshima
Listed below are the very best methods to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima:
1. JR Sanyo Line + JR West Miyajima Ferry / Miyajima Matsudai Kisen
The simplest and least expensive approach to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima is by taking the JR Sanyo Line (420 Yen) from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station. The prepare journey will take you round half-hour.
From there, board a ferry that can convey you to Miyajima Pier inside 10 minutes. Two main firms are working between Miyajimaguchi Station and Miyajima Pier – the JR West Miyajima Ferry and the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen (each out there at 180 Yen for a one-way journey).
In case you’re utilizing the JR Pass, taking the JR Sanyo Line and the JR West Miyajima Ferry would be the most handy and cost-effective choice for you.
2. Ferry From Motoyasu Pier
A noteworthy (though dearer) methodology to entry Miyajima is by taking a ferry from Motoyasu Pier, positioned near the Atomic Bomb Dome. The ferry journey takes about 45 minutes and prices 2,200 Yen one-way or 4,000 Yen for a round-trip.
Selecting this route solely is sensible in the event you’re concerned with having some sightseeing included in your cruise or in the event you intend to see the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and different close-by sights such because the Hiroshima Museum of Artwork earlier than going to Miyajima. Tickets for the ferry can be found immediately on the dock.
Assuming that you’ve sufficient time to spend an entire day in Miyajima and can do sightseeing in Hiroshima on one other day, taking the prepare from Hiroshima Station and the ferry from Miyajimaguchi is undeniably the best approach to entry the island.
Is Miyajima Value A Day Journey?
Sure, Miyajima is price visiting! Because of its good entry to public transportation, a Miyajima day journey from Hiroshima may be very straightforward to plan and completely price it.
Miyajima is by far one of many most stunning day journey locations in Japan. With its eye-catching Grand Torii Gate seemingly floating on the ocean, this small island greater than deserves to be known as one of many three most scenic locations in Japan.
A day journey is greater than ample to go to all the principle sights. However when you’ve got a bit of further time, staying in a Ryokan for an evening and trying out among the surrounding mountaineering trails the subsequent day may very well be an excellent addition to additional improve your journey expertise to Miyajima.
Can You Do Miyajima And Hiroshima In One Day?
Sure and no. Each Miyajima and Hiroshima have quite a bit to supply, and totally exploring each locations takes greater than someday. Nevertheless, we perceive that it’s a must to make selections on the subject of placing collectively a Japan itinerary. In case you’re brief on time, you’ll be able to nonetheless see essentially the most well-known landmarks in each locations in someday.
In case you’re planning to do that, you’ll be able to both ebook a one day Hiroshima and Miyajima guided tour from Osaka, or observe our one-day itinerary for each locations under:
As an alternative of going all the way in which to Miyajimaguchi Station to board a ship, think about taking a ferry departing from Motoyasu Pier. You should purchase your tickets immediately on the terminal on the date – 2,200 Yen for a one-way ticket and 4,000 Yen for a round-trip ticket on the Hiroshima World Heritage Sea Route.
In case your place to begin within the morning is Hiroshima Station, take a bus to the Peace Memorial Museum first and discover the encompassing Peace Memorial Park afterwards. The ferry dock is inside strolling distance of the Atomic Bomb Dome. You’ll have sufficient time to see the entire space earlier than midday after which head over to Miyajima.
The ferry from Motoyasu Pier is significantly dearer than combining the JR Sanyo Line (420 Yen) from Hiroshima Station and the JR West Miyajima Ferry/ Miyajima Matsudai Kisen (180 Yen) to Miyajima Pier. It can save you cash by shopping for solely a one-way ticket from Motoyasu Pier to Miyajima and returning to Hiroshima Station through the use of the common Miyajima ferries and the JR Sanyo Line within the night.
The boat journey from Motoyasu Pier will take round 45 minutes. On the way in which, you’ll be able to get pleasure from some sightseeing because the ferry passes by just a few vital landmarks of town – a pleasant asset for many who are missing time to totally discover Hiroshima.
The tides can have an effect on the working schedule of the ferry from Motoyasu Pier. Ensure that to be careful for surprising schedule modifications on the official website to keep away from any sort of pointless bother.
Earlier than going to Miyajima on a decent schedule, you would possibly wish to take a look at the three-hour or half-day sightseeing courses the Miyajima Vacationer Affiliation created. Each routes skip on Mt. Misen and its observatory deck however they cowl a few different stops on the island which might be inside attain on foot from Miyajima Pier.
In your manner again, take the JR West Miyajima Ferry or the Miyajima Matsudai Kisen from Miyajima Pier to Miyajimaguchi Station and journey the JR Sanyo Line till you attain Hiroshima Station.
Conclusion – Miyajima Day Journey
Residence to one of many three most scenic views in Japan, Miyajima is extensively identified for its mesmerising landscapes. And being simply accessible from Hiroshima, a Miyajima day journey makes for a really perfect exercise for first-timers in addition to skilled travellers in Japan.
In case you’re contemplating travelling to Hiroshima and are nonetheless on the lookout for a day journey vacation spot or just have some clean areas in your Japan itinerary to fill, don’t hesitate to commit a few of your time to Miyajima.
