A practical account of my day trip, ferry tips, and must-see spots

This is a mini guide is for those travellers who may be short on time and wish to take a relaxed one-day trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima, just like I did here!

Is It Possible to Visit Miyajima and Hiroshima in One Day?

Absolutely! If you’re OK not seeing EVERYTHING and focus on the main sights you want to see, you can start early in the day and catch the earliest ferry to get to the island. Spend a few hours on Miyajima and take a mid-afternoon ferry back for time in Hiroshima. 

How to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima

I was staying a walkable distance from the Hiroshima Peace Park. So I took a direct boat from the terminal near Hiroshima Peace Park. The JR pass is not valid on this route but I choose ease and time over price on this occasion. Also because I intended to visit the Hiroshima Peace Park and the Memorial Museum, it was the ideal return stop to cover those sites. 

Another travel option is to head to the ferry port at Miyajimaguchi Station which is covered by the JR pass and then take a 10 minute ferry ride to Miyajima. 

How long does it take to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima?

Depending on the route: 

If taking a direct boat from Hiroshima Peace Park like me – 45 mins

If taking ferry from Miyajimaguchi station and ferry – between 45-95 minutes.

What Miyajima is famous for?

• Itsukushima Shrine
• Floating red torii gate
• 5-storey Pagoda
• Mount Misen hiking trails

Miyajima is best known for Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic floating red torii gate in the sea, as well as the 5-storey Pagoda. There are also hiking trails up Mount Misen. During my time there, I opted to explore the shrines, the torii gate, and also visited the charming Miyajima History and Folklore Museum.

Suggested itinerary for a Miyajima and Hiroshima day trip

Morning: Take direct boat to Miyajima from the Hiroshima Peace Park. Explore the main shrine and area around it. 

Afternoon + Evening: Return via direct boat to Hiroshima Peace Park. From there visit the peace park and also the memorial museum.

Practical tip for visiting Miyajima and Hiroshima

• If your heart is set on seeing the torii gates in the sea, ensure to check tidal times to ensure you’re seeing it at the right time. At high tide the gates will be in the sea, but at low tide you will be able to walk up to the torii gates.

Links

For my own personal account of when I was wandering Miyajima and Hiroshima, you can read my thoughts here.

Official links 

• Itsukushima Shrine
• Direct Boat to Miyajima – If you want to get to Miyajima by boat!
• Miyajima History and Folklore Museum
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum