Miyajima is the island home of Itsukushima Shrine and its famous “floating” torii gate, and it is the most popular day trip from Hiroshima. Officially named Itsukushima, the island lies just off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture in the Seto Inland Sea and has been considered sacred for centuries. Friendly deer wander the streets, and forested Mount Misen rises behind the shrine. This guide covers three experiences that make a perfect Miyajima day: Itsukushima Shrine and its torii, the ropeway and summit of Mount Misen, and the atmospheric Daisho-in Temple.
1. Itsukushima Shrine & the Floating Torii
Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is built on piers over a tidal bay, so at high tide its vermilion halls and corridors appear to float on the water. The great torii gate stands in the sea about 200 meters offshore and is the defining image of Miyajima. The experience changes with the tide: at high tide the gate seems to float and the shrine is at its most photogenic, while at low tide you can walk out across the sand to stand beneath the torii. Check the tide table on the Miyajima tourism website and, if you can, visit once at each. The shrine opens at 6:30 a.m., and adult admission is 300 yen (500 yen including the Treasure Hall). The floorboards have small gaps to relieve pressure from the sea at high tide, so leave the heels at your hotel. Early morning and evening are much calmer than midday.
2. Mount Misen
Mount Misen is Miyajima’s highest peak and a sacred mountain associated with Kobo Daishi, the monk who founded Shingon Buddhism. The easiest way up is the Miyajima Ropeway: walk about 10 minutes from the shrine through Momijidani Park to the lower station, then ride two gondola sections to Shishiiwa Station. From there, the summit is still about a kilometer away on a hilly trail with many steps, past giant granite boulders and small temple halls. The reward is a 360-degree panorama over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and, on clear days, Hiroshima city. Fit hikers can skip the ropeway and climb one of three trails (about 1.5 to 2 hours), with the Daisho-in route offering the best views. Note that Reikado Hall, which housed a flame said to have burned since Kobo Daishi’s time, was destroyed by fire in May 2026. Check the ropeway’s last departure before you set off.
3. Daisho-in Temple
Daisho-in, at the foot of Mount Misen a short walk uphill from Itsukushima Shrine, is one of the most rewarding temples to explore on Miyajima — and admission is free. This Shingon temple complex is packed with things to discover: rows of small rakan statues, many wearing hand-knitted caps; prayer wheels set into the stair handrails that you spin as you climb; and the dim Henjokutsu cave, lined with icons representing the temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage. Halls and stairways climb the hillside under maple trees, which turn brilliant red in autumn. Daisho-in is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and an hour is enough for a good look. It is also the start of the Daisho-in hiking trail up Mount Misen, so you can visit on your way up or down the mountain. Wander slowly — the details are the point.
Where to Stay on Miyajima
Where to stay: Miyajima islandHotel links in this section go to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Most visitors leave on the afternoon ferries, so staying overnight on Miyajima gives you the shrine, the torii and the lantern-lit streets almost to yourself in the evening and early morning. Island accommodation is mostly traditional ryokan, and many include dinner and breakfast.
Luxury
Iwaso is a historic ryokan founded in the 1850s, set in leafy Momijidani Park near the Misen ropeway, with hot spring baths, kaiseki dinners and some of the island’s most beautiful autumn scenery right outside.
Historic ryokan in Momijidani Park with hot spring baths.
Mid-Range
Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto is a comfortable ryokan-style hotel a short walk from Itsukushima Shrine, and Miyajima Kinsuikan is a waterfront inn with Japanese-style rooms close to the ferry pier.
Ryokan-style hotel within walking distance of the shrine.
Seafront inn near the ferry pier with Japanese-style rooms.
Budget-Friendly
Budget rooms on Miyajima are limited and sell out early. If prices on the island are too high, stay near Hiroshima Station or downtown Hiroshima and take an early train or ferry over — the trip takes under an hour.
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Hotels on Miyajima on Booking.com
An overnight stay lets you see the torii at sunset and at high tide after the day-trip crowds have gone home.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Check the tide table before you go: high tide for the “floating” view, low tide to walk to the torii.
- A Miyajima Visit Tax of 100 yen per person is collected with your ferry fare when you travel to the island.
- The JR ferry from Miyajimaguchi is covered by the JR Pass; the Matsudai ferry runs the same short route.
- Don’t feed the deer and keep food and paper maps out of reach — they will try to eat them.
- Try local specialties on Omotesando shopping street: grilled oysters, anago-meshi (conger eel rice) and maple-leaf-shaped momiji manju cakes.
Getting there by train: From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi (about 30 minutes), then the ferry across (about 10 minutes); the Hiroden streetcar is a slower, cheaper alternative. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk to the floating torii at Miyajima?
Yes, at low tide you can walk across the sand to the base of the torii. At high tide the gate stands in the water and appears to float. Check the tide table to plan your timing.
How much does it cost to enter Itsukushima Shrine?
Adult admission is 300 yen, or 500 yen including the Treasure Hall. Walking around the island and viewing the torii from the shore is free.
Is it worth staying overnight on Miyajima?
Yes, if your budget allows. Most visitors leave by late afternoon, so evenings and early mornings are quiet, and you can see the torii at different tides and in the evening light.
How long does it take to climb Mount Misen?
Hiking trails take about 1.5 to 2 hours to the summit. With the ropeway, you still need to walk about a kilometer from the upper station, so allow at least two to three hours round trip.
