Hiroshima to Miyajima Travel Guide: Best Routes, Fares & Sightseeing
Trip Details
- OriginHiroshima
- DestinationMiyajima
- Travel Time40 minutes via JR Train + JR Ferry
- Recommended Stay1 full day
- Best Transport ModeJR Sanyo Line + JR Miyajima Ferry (Fastest and easiest for first-timers)
- Cheapest ModeHiroden Streetcar + Matsudai Ferry (Using the 1-Day Streetcar and Ferry Pass)
- Day Trip PossibleYes (Highly Recommended)
Travel Recommendation
Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station, then cross on the JR Ferry to Miyajima Island. The entire rail and ferry leg is covered by the JR Pass, making this one of Japan's most cost-effective island day trips. Aim to arrive by 9 AM to beat the midday crowds at Itsukushima Shrine.
📍 Destination Highlights
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Miyajima Ropeway & Mount Misen
- Daisho-in Temple
Transport Options Breakdown
| Transport Mode | Travel Time | One-Way Fare |
|---|---|---|
| JR Train + JR Ferry | ~40 mins | ¥620 + ¥100 Tax |
| Hiroden Streetcar + Ferry | ~80 mins | ¥440 + ¥100 Tax |
| Direct High-Speed Boat | ~45 mins | ¥2,200 |
JR Train + JR Ferry
Fastest basic commute; trains leave every 15 minutes; fully covered by standard JR Pass
Requires a physical platform-to-pier walking transfer at Miyajimaguchi
Hiroden Streetcar + Ferry
Budget-friendly; boards directly from downtown Hiroshima hotels; scenic city route
Significantly slower travel time compared to the rapid train lines
Direct High-Speed Boat
Zero transfers; spectacular scenic cruise straight from the Peace Memorial Park
More expensive; completely excluded from the JR Pass; highly dependent on tidal levels
🚀 Getting There Guide
- To commute from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island seamlessly, most travelers board the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station down to Miyajimaguchi Station.
- From there, take a brief 5-minute walk to the waterfront pier to board the JR West Miyajima Ferry.
- If your hotel is located closer to the downtown core (Hondori or Hatchobori), you can jump on the Hiroden Streetcar Line #2 straight to the Hiroden-miyajima-guchi terminal.
- For a highly premium, scenic journey with zero transfers, the Hiroshima World Heritage River Cruise high-speed boat picks up right from the riverbank next to the Atomic Bomb Dome.
↩️ Return Journey Guide
- Returning back to Hiroshima requires heading back to the main Miyajima Pier terminals.
- Ferries operate back to the mainland at Miyajimaguchi consistently until late evening.
- Once back on the mainland, catch either the JR Sanyo Line trains back to Hiroshima Station or the Hiroden Streetcar back into downtown.
- If you opted for the direct high-speed river cruise, check the final afternoon timetable at the Miyajima Light-up Cruise pier to secure your return boat trip back to the Peace Park.
🚌 Local Loop Transport Guide
- Miyajima is an exceptionally walkable, mostly pedestrian-only island.
- Upon stepping out of the arrival terminal, the main seaside walking path leads directly toward the shrines.
- While there are no municipal transit lines inside the town core, a dedicated minibus shuttle service operates from Momijidani Park up to the base station of the Miyajima Ropeway.
- For an old-world sightseeing twist, traditional human-powered rickshaw tours can be hired directly along the waterfront promenade.
Suggested Day Trip Itinerary
Arrive early at Miyajima Pier to greet the island's iconic free-roaming wild deer.
Walk along the coast straight to Itsukushima Shrine to catch the spectacular floating orange Torii Gate at peak high tide.
Following your shrine tour, head down the bustling Omotesando Shopping Street for a lunch of grilled local oysters and savory anago meshi (conger eel rice).
Spend your afternoon walking up the quiet hillside to explore the magnificent Daisho-in Temple, or catch the Miyajima Ropeway up to the summit of Mount Misen for sprawling panoramic views across the Seto Inland Sea.
Conclude your day trip by walking right out onto the sandy bay at low tide to stand beneath the massive Torii gate before taking your evening ferry back to the city.
Must-Visit Attractions in Miyajima
Itsukushima Shrine
A breathtaking, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shinto complex built entirely on wooden pier stilts over the ocean bay, appearing to float gracefully during high tides.
Miyajima Ropeway & Mount Misen
A scenic, multi-stage aerial ropeway system climbing up the sacred mountain slopes, yielding spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea islands.
Daisho-in Temple
A prestigious, deeply spiritual Shingon Buddhist temple complex tucked into the mountain forest, featuring hundreds of unique, small stone statues wearing hand-knit beanies.
Which Option is Best For You?
🥇 First-Time Visitors
The classic combination of historic Shinto structures, friendly deer, and coastal food stalls makes navigation effortlessly rewarding.
📸 Photographers
The sweeping optical contrast of the vermilion Itsukushima Torii Gate mirroring perfectly against the blue ocean tide.
👨👩👧👦 Families & Strollers
The interactive touch-pools and live penguin feedings at the Miyajima Public Aquarium located along the western coast.
🌲 Nature Lovers
Challenging primitive hiking trails cutting up through primeval forests up to the rocky alpine boulders of Mount Misen.
Popular Experiences in Miyajima
Top-rated tours & activities — book directly with confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the mandatory Miyajima Visitor Tax work for tourists?
Effective since late 2023, all incoming travelers must pay a small ¥100 local visitor tax. If you purchase standard individual tickets or use digital IC cards, this tax is bundled automatically. However, if you are utilizing a Japan Rail Pass, you must stop at the terminal ticketing machines at Miyajimaguchi to buy a separate ¥100 tax voucher before passing the boarding gates.
Can I save money by purchasing a regional transport pass for this route?
Yes. If you do not hold a standard JR Pass, buy the Hiroden 1-Day Streetcar and Ferry Pass for ¥1,000. It awards you unlimited daily streetcar rides plus your round-trip ferry crossing via the Matsudai Line, with the ¥100 visitor tax already covered in the pass fare.