Hiroshima to Miyajima

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Miyajima, home to the "floating" torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, is one of Japan's most photographed sights and a straightforward half-day trip from Hiroshima. The route is always the same two-stage combination — train or tram to the coast, then a short ferry crossing — and takes about an hour door to door.

Itsukushima Shrine has been a Shinto pilgrimage site for well over a thousand years, and its current pier-and-pillar design, built out over the water so the shrine appears to float at high tide, dates back to the 16th century. It is one of Japan's officially designated "three views" (Nihon Sankei) alongside Amanohashidate and Matsushima, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right — reason enough that most visitors to Hiroshima treat Miyajima as an essential rather than optional stop.

The quickest way: JR train plus ferry

From Hiroshima Station, the JR Sanyo Line runs to Miyajimaguchi Station in around 25 to 30 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day. From the station it is a short walk to the ferry terminal, where the JR West Miyajima Ferry crosses to the island in about 10 minutes. Including the walk and a little waiting time, budget around an hour in total.

Both the train and the JR ferry are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, which makes this combination effectively free for pass holders — a nice bonus, since Miyajima is one of the most worthwhile side trips in the whole Hiroshima area. If you are arriving in Hiroshima from further afield, see our Tokyo to Hiroshima or Osaka to Hiroshima guides for the Shinkansen leg beforehand.

The scenic way: the tram plus ferry

An alternative is the Hiroshima Electric Railway (the city's tram network), which runs a direct line from central Hiroshima, including stops near the Peace Memorial Park, all the way to Miyajimaguchi. It takes longer than the JR train — around 60 to 70 minutes — but it is inexpensive, characterful, and useful if you are already near a tram stop rather than the main station. From Miyajimaguchi, the same ferry crossing applies; note that the tram terminates at a slightly different point, a short walk from the JR pier, and there is also a separate, non-JR ferry operator (Matsudai Kisen) running the same short crossing if you would rather not rely on the JR service.

There is also a direct high-speed passenger boat that runs seasonally straight from the Peace Memorial Park area to Miyajima along the river and coast, skipping the train or tram entirely. It takes around 45 minutes and costs more than the train-and-ferry combination, but it is a pleasant option if you want to link a Peace Park visit directly to Miyajima without doubling back through Hiroshima Station, and it offers views of the city from the water that the other routes do not.

Timing the tide

Itsukushima Shrine's famous torii gate appears to float only at high tide; at low tide, visitors can walk out across the sand right up to its base. Neither state is "better" exactly — high tide gives the classic floating effect, low tide lets you get close to the gate itself — but it is worth checking a tide table before you go if you have a particular photograph or experience in mind, since the difference is dramatic. Tide times shift by roughly an hour each day and vary through the month, so a trip planned around a specific tidal state benefits from checking the schedule a day or two ahead rather than assuming a fixed daily pattern. Evening illumination of the torii and shrine buildings runs after dark year-round, which is another reason an overnight stay can be worthwhile.

What else is on the island

Beyond the shrine, Miyajima has a pleasant town centre, wild deer that wander freely (and will happily eat a map out of your hand), and a ropeway up Mount Misen for views over the Seto Inland Sea. Most day-trippers spend three to five hours on the island; an overnight stay in one of Miyajima's ryokan lets you see the shrine lit up after the day-trip crowds have left, which is worth considering if your schedule allows it. Travellers building a wider Japan itinerary may also want to read our overview of travelling Japan overland.

Momiji manju — small maple-leaf-shaped cakes filled with sweet bean paste, custard or chocolate — are Miyajima's signature snack, sold fresh from stalls along the main approach to the shrine, and the town's oyster restaurants make the most of Hiroshima Bay's long oyster-farming tradition. The Mount Misen ropeway, in two stages from Momijidani Park, is worth the detour on a clear day for panoramic views back over the shrine and out across the Inland Sea toward Hiroshima.

Which should you choose?

The JR train and ferry combination is the fastest and, for rail pass holders, the free option, so it is the default choice for most visitors. Take the tram instead if you are staying near a tram stop in central Hiroshima or simply enjoy a slower, more local way of covering the ground. Check East Asia entry requirements before you travel if you are arriving in Japan from abroad.

Frequently asked questions

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

About an hour door to door: 25–30 minutes by JR train to Miyajimaguchi, plus a 10-minute ferry crossing, with a short walk and wait either side.

Is the ferry to Miyajima covered by the Japan Rail Pass?

Yes, the JR West Miyajima Ferry is covered, as is the JR train to Miyajimaguchi, making the whole trip free for pass holders.

Do I need to book anything in advance?

No. Trains, trams and ferries all run frequently and do not require reservations for this route.

Is Hiroshima to Miyajima worth doing as a day trip?

Yes, most visitors comfortably combine it with a morning at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, though an overnight stay on the island is a good option if you want to see the shrine without the daytime crowds.