Is Miyajima Worth Visiting?
Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, is one of Japan’s most famous islands because of its gorgeous floating Torii gate.
And it was one of the places that I was really looking forward to visiting during our epic Japan trip.
Miyajima sits just off the coast of Hiroshima, so it’s a really easy day trip to plan.
We only had the time to spend a few hours on the island, but it was soooo worth the stop.
Wondering if you should add Miyajima Island to your Japan itinerary? Let me tell you about our experience!
Is Miyajima Worth Visiting?
Yes, Miyajima is totally worth visiting.
After all, the floating torii gate is one of the country’s most iconic sights.
So getting the chance to see it at both high and low tide makes visiting the island a definite must!
Add in hikes on Mount Misen, quiet temples, and local food delicacies, and it becomes a highlight of any trip to Hiroshima.
Miyajima Pros and Cons – Quick Guide
If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the pros and cons of visiting Miyajima:
Things We Liked
Things We Did Not Like
What is Miyajima Known for?
Miyajima is best known for Itsukushima Shrine and its massive red torii gate, which looks like it floats on the water at high tide.
The island is also famous for its long history as a sacred site, with Mount Misen considered holy for centuries.
Much like Nara, the deer that wander freely around the streets have also become one of Miyajima’s trademarks.
How Much Time Do You Need In Miyajima?
We would recommend spending at least half a day to a full day on Miyajima.
A half day is enough to see Itsukushima Shrine, the torii gate, and walk Omotesando Street. This is what we ended up doing.
With a full day, you can also hike or take the ropeway up Mount Misen, visit Daishō-in Temple, and explore Momijidani Park.
If you stay overnight, you’ll see a quieter side of the island once day-trippers leave.
This gives you time for both sightseeing and a slower pace, plus night views of the torii gate when it’s lit up.
I really wish that we could have spent the night on the island just to see the torii gate after dark!
Is Miyajima Walkable?
Yes, Miyajima is very walkable. This is how we got around during our entire visit.
The island is small, and most of the main attractions, including Itsukushima Shrine, the torii gate, Omotesando shopping street, and Daishō-in Temple, are within a 10–20 minute walk from the ferry terminal.
Even the base of the ropeway to Mount Misen is about a 20-minute walk.
There are no buses or taxis for tourists inside the main town.
As a result, expect to do a lot of walking!
Top 10 Things to Do on Miyajima Island
As I mentioned, Miyajima Island is worth visiting for more reasons than just seeing the torii gate.
1. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shrine is considered to be the highlight of Miyajima.
The shrine buildings are built over the water on stilts, with wooden walkways connecting the different halls.
At high tide, the shrine looks like it’s floating, which makes it one of the most photographed places in Japan.
Unfortunately, during our visit, the tide was low, so we did not get to see this awesome effect.
Inside, you can see the main prayer hall, a stage, and smaller shrines.
Entry costs about 300 yen, and it’s open daily.
Visiting both the shrine and the torii gate at different tide levels is the experience most people come for.
2. See the Floating Torii Gate
The giant red torii gate is Miyajima’s most famous landmark.
It stands in the water in front of Itsukushima Shrine and is almost 17 meters tall.
At high tide, the gate appears to float, which is when most visitors take photos.
At low tide, you can walk right across the sand and stand at the base of the pillars.
This is what we experienced during our visit!
The gate is also illuminated at night, so if you stay late or overnight, you’ll definitely be in for a treat.
⛩️ Fun Fact – Disney’s torii gate in Epcot was designed after the iconic “floating” torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, Japan.
3. Take the Ropeway to Mount Misen
The ropeway is the easiest way to reach the slopes of Mount Misen.
It takes about 15 minutes, with two different cable cars, and ends near the upper observatory.
Along the way, you’ll get some pretty incredible views of the Seto Inland Sea and smaller islands.
Keep in mind that from the top station, it’s still a 30-minute walk to the summit.
The good thing is, the path is mostly paved and passes temples and lookout points along the way.
A round-trip ticket costs about 2,000 yen, and it saves time if you don’t want to hike all the way up.
4. Hike to the Summit of Mount Misen
If you enjoy hiking and are spending the entire day (or overnight) on the island, Mount Misen has three main trails that lead to the summit.
The Momijidani, Daishō-in, and Omoto trails each take about 1.5–2 hours one way and include steep sections, stone steps, and forest paths.
Along the way, you’ll pass small shrines, statues, and even wild monkeys.
At the summit, you’ll find lookout points with gorgeous views of the Seto Inland Sea and Hiroshima city on clear days.
We would recommend hiking up and taking the ropeway down as a good option if you want both the exercise and the views.
5. Explore Daishō-in Temple
Daishō-in is one of Miyajima’s most important Buddhist temples.
Located at the base of Mount Misen, the temple grounds are filled with statues, prayer wheels, and lanterns.
One of the highlights is a row of hundreds of small statues, each wearing a knitted hat or scarf.
The temple is quieter than Itsukushima Shrine, which makes it a great place to take a break from the crowds.
6. Stroll Through Momijidani Park
Momijidani Park is the best spot on the island to see autumn leaves.
The park has walking trails lined with maple trees, which turn bright red and orange in November.
Unfortunately, our visit to Miyajima was in July, so we did not get to see fall foliage.
Even outside of autumn, the park is a peaceful green space to relax or wander before heading up the mountain.
It’s also the starting point for the Momijidani hiking trail up Mount Misen.
7. See the Deer
Like Nara, Miyajima is known for its free-roaming deer.
The deer walk through the streets, near the shrine, and even along the beach.
The kids loved seeing them, and even petting them as they strolled by.
While they’re used to people, you still need to be careful around them.
The deer have the reputation of trying to grab paper bags, maps, or snacks from unsuspecting tourists!
8. Visit the Miyajima Public Aquarium
The Miyajima Public Aquarium focuses on marine life from the Seto Inland Sea.
The aquarium is home to sea lions, otters, jellyfish, and penguins.
The building is modern, not too big, and easy to explore.
This would be the perfect place for families with kids or on rainy days.
9. Try Local Food
We are a family of foodies. So anywhere we travel, we are down for trying the local specialties.
Miyajima is famous for oysters, which are grilled, fried, or served raw depending on the season.
Since John is allergic to shellfish, I took one for the team and sampled a plate of grilled oysters.
Were they ever GOOD!!!
Another specialty on the island is momiji manju.
These are maple-leaf-shaped cakes filled with red bean paste, custard, or chocolate.
Of course, we tried one of each, plus a lemon-flavoured one as well!
Omotesando Street is lined with food stalls and souvenir shops where you can try both the oysters as well as the cakes.
In fact, I would say that eating your way through the street is part of the island experience!
10. Explore Hidden Shrines and Quiet Paths
Beyond the main streets, Miyajima has smaller shrines, castle ruins, and off-the-beaten-track walking trails.
These areas are less crowded, especially in the late afternoon when most visitors head back to Hiroshima.
It’s definitely worth exploring the backstreets or hiking paths in order to get a true feel for the island.
Where to Stay in Miyajima Island
If you are looking to spend the night on the island, there are a few options.
But just a heads up, it is more expensive to stay on Miyajima compared to Hiroshima.
Luxury
Itsukushima Iroha
Rooms are modern with traditional touches, many offering sea or torii views.
Guests can enjoy a rooftop onsen, Japanese meals, and a central location near the ferry.
Kinsuikan
This ryokan has spacious Japanese-style rooms and indoor/outdoor hot-spring baths using natural saltwater.
It’s located close to the ferry and Omotesando Street, with highly rated kaiseki meals.
Moderate
Iwaso Ryokan
This historic ryokan has tatami rooms, open-air baths, and kaiseki dinners.
It’s tucked into Momijidani Park, giving it a quiet forest setting close to the shrine.
Miyajima Seaside Hotel
Rooms here are a mix of traditional tatami and Western style, many with sea views.
The hotel has large communal baths, shuttle service to the ferry, and set dinners featuring local seafood.
Budget
Miyajima Guest House Mikuniya
The guesthouse offers both dorm beds and private tatami rooms, plus a shared kitchen and lounge.
It’s a simple but friendly base within walking distance of the main sights.
Sakuraya
This small inn offers tatami rooms at affordable prices, with some overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.
It’s just a short walk from the ferry and the shrine, making it a convenient choice for budget travellers.
Best Time To Visit Miyajima Island
The best time to visit Miyajima depends on what you want to see. The island changes a lot with the seasons:
Spring (March–May): Cherry blossoms bloom around late March to early April. The weather is mild, so it’s also a nice time for hiking Mount Misen.
Summer (June–August): Days are hot and humid, with highs over 30°C. Crowds are thinner in July, but August brings more visitors for summer holidays. Expect more deer roaming near the shade. Summer also brings festivals and night illuminations at the shrine.
Autumn (September–November): This is the most popular season. Momijidani Park fills with red and orange maple leaves in November, and the weather is comfortable for hiking. Expect bigger crowds.
Winter (December–February): The quietest time to visit. Hotels are cheaper, and you’ll find far fewer tourists. The torii and shrine still look impressive, especially when the mountains in the background have a dusting of snow. It’s cold, but peaceful.
⛩️ Expert Tip – No matter the season, be sure to check the tide schedule. High tide makes the torii look like it’s floating, while low tide lets you walk right up to it.
How to Get to Miyajima Island
Miyajima is located just off the coast of Hiroshima, and getting there is not difficult.
By Train + Ferry
Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station.
The ride takes about 30 minutes. From there, it’s a short walk to the ferry terminal.
The ferry ride to Miyajima is about 10 minutes. If you have a JR Pass, both the train and the JR-operated ferry are covered.
By Tram + Ferry
Hiroshima also has a streetcar (tram) that goes to Miyajimaguchi.
It’s cheaper than the train but takes longer, about 70 minutes.
It’s a good budget option if you aren’t in a rush.
Ferry Options
Two main ferry companies run between Miyajimaguchi and the island: JR Ferry and Matsudai Ferry.
Both cost about the same and run every 15 minutes during the day.
The JR Ferry is the one covered by the JR Pass.
The Matsudai Ferry sometimes offers routes that pass closer to the torii gate, which is a bonus.
From Hiroshima Peace Park
There’s also a direct boat from Hiroshima Peace Park to Miyajima.
It takes about 45 minutes and is more expensive, but it saves you from transferring between trains and ferries.
This can be convenient if you want a scenic ride straight from central Hiroshima.
How to Get Around Miyajima Island
Walking is the best—and really the only—way to see Miyajima. And this is exactly what we did!
Most of the main sights, including Itsukushima Shrine, the torii gate, and Omotesando Street, are within walking distance from the ferry terminal.
The island has no public buses or taxis for tourists, which keeps the streets quiet and safe for pedestrians.
If you’re heading up Mount Misen, you can either hike or take the ropeway.
The ropeway station is about a 20-minute walk from the ferry terminal, and from there you can ride partway up before continuing on foot to the summit.
Surprisingly, you won’t find too many bicycles on the island.
Expert Tips
Visiting Miyajima Island – FAQs
No, the island itself is free to enter. You only pay for the ferry ride and entrance fees to specific attractions like Itsukushima Shrine or the ropeway.
Yes, you’ll find coin lockers at the ferry terminal and near the shopping street. They fill quickly during busy seasons, so store bags in Hiroshima if possible.
Yes, Tsutsumigaura Nature Park offers tent sites and cabins. It’s a quieter area of the island, away from the main shrine and shopping street.
The island is best known for oysters, which are grilled or served fresh, and momiji manju, maple-leaf-shaped cakes filled with sweet or custard fillings.
Yes, kids enjoy the deer, the aquarium, and walking out to the torii gate at low tide. Families with older kids can also hike Mount Misen or ride the ropeway.
Some hotels and larger restaurants accept cards, but many small shops and food stalls are cash-only. It’s best to bring yen with you.
Yes, the areas around the ferry terminal, shrine, and shopping street are mostly flat and easy to navigate. The shrine has ramps in some sections, though not all areas are barrier-free. The ropeway can handle wheelchairs, but the summit trails are uneven and best for those comfortable with steps and rough paths.
Final Thoughts
So, is Miyajima worth visiting? I would definitely say YES!
Between the floating torii and the shrine, you have the opportunity to see a couple of Japan’s most iconic sights.
Add in the hiking, yummy food, and peaceful atmosphere in the mornings or evenings, and it’s a memorable stop.
If you’re short on time like we were, a day trip is enough.
Either way, Miyajima should be added to your Japan itinerary.
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