Miyajima Island

Miyajima Island in Hiroshima is known as one of the three most scenic places in Japan, together with Matsushima and Amanohashidate. Itsukushima Shrine is the landmark of the island, attracting countless people and the red huge torii gate is a hot photography site. Besides, Mountain Misen covered with ancient trees, and Daishoin Temple with a flame that has been burning for 1,200 years are also the must-sees on the island.

Best Places to Visit on Miyajima Island

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine is one of Hiroshima's two UNESCO World Heritage sites and is the most notable attraction on the Miyajima Island. The shrine was established in 593 and it enshrines the three goddesses of sea. The enormous red torii on the sea is the symbol of the shrine. At high tide, half of the 16.8 meters (55 feet) high torii is covered by the azure sea, and you can find many buildings of the shrine that seem to float on the sea. When the tide goes out, you can walk to the foot of the big Torii to take a photo. What’s more, the Japanese Noh drama will be performed on the water stage there, which is the only water stage in Japan. During the night, the bright light, red shrine, and blue sea together create a fantastic scene.

Itsukushima Shrine Photos ( 19 )

Buildings of Itsukushima Shrine

Mountain Misen

Mountain Misen is about 535 meters (1,755 feet) above sea level, allowing you to overlook the stunning view of the Seto Inland Sea on its top. The virgin forest makes the mountain a natural plant museum, and you can interact with the cute deer and monkeys on the way to the mountaintop. There are three hiking routes to the mountain top, and each way takes about 1.5-2 hours to complete. If you do not like climbing mountains, it is a good choice to take the cable car, which takes about 20 minutes. On the mountain top, you can find some huge stones, which are hot photo spots. Furthermore, some temples and shrines hidden in the mountains are waiting for you to explore.

Note: The deer here are bred from Nara. Visitors are not allowed to feed them.

Cute Deer on Miyajima Island

Mountain Misen

Daishoin Temple

There are many temples on the island, among which Daishoin Temple is the oldest. The temple is known for a flame called Unextinguished Flame which has been burning for about 1,200 years. Besides, the flame was used to light the Peace Flame of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Furthermore, you can find a hall that houses 88 Buddha statues from different temples of the Shikoku region, and burning lanterns hung on the roof. The temple also provides rich experiential activities, like meditating and copying scriptures. 

Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street 

It is the busiest street on the island, where you can taste dessert- red leaf bun and buy wooden spoon standing for good luck. Red leaf bun is the most popular specialty of Hiroshima, and you can find about 10 stores that sell red leaf buns on the street, like NISHIKIDO and Yamadaya. The wooden spoon is the lucky symbol of the island and a store called Home of Spoon sells varied spoons either for decoration or daily use. The store provides free service of engraving words on the spoon for guests, but each guest only can choose two words.  

Miyajima Public Aquarium

The aquarium is home to 350 species of marine animals, like finless porpoises, whales, seals, and penguins. There is an area called Rocky Shore of Friendship, where you can touch some small sea creatures and play in the water. Beyond that, the aquarium offers special touch activities in other special areas, allowing you to interact with large animals, like penguins, seals, and wrasses; you also can feed these cute animals. Besides, the aquarium holds four sea lion shows every day, separately starting at about 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 15:30.

Momijidani Park

The red leaf is the icon of Miyajima Island, and the park hosts about 700 red maple trees.  The best time to visit is late November, and you are advised to stand on the Red Maple Bridge of the park to take a photo. Furthermore, at night of the maple season, countless lamps will be lit.

Recommended Visit Time 

About half a day. 

How to Get to Miyajima Island

From Hiroshima Station

Take the JR Sanyo Main Line, and get off at Miyajimaguchi Station. Then change to JR Miyajima Ferry. The whole single way takes about 40 minutes.

Take the Hiroshima Electric Railway Miyajima Line, then get off at Hiroden Miyajima Guchi Station. Next, you can take JR Miyajima Ferry to Miyajima Island. The route takes about 50 minutes.

From the Port of Hiroshima

Take a High-speed Ship, then get off at Miyajima Port, which takes about 25 minutes.

Hiroshima-Miyajima Ferry Photos ( 10 )

Seats on the Ferry

See More:

•  Itsukushima Shrine Photos
•  Itsukushima Shrine Video
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•  Hiroshima-Miyajima Ferry Photos
•  Ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island Video
•  Hiroshima Photos