How to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima

Hiroshima has been and forever will be one of Japan's most important cities. Though it is largely known internationally for its unfortunate history as the site for the atomic bomb attack at the end of World War II, its story goes back way before then, as it is also home to one of the island nation's most culturally significant sites: Miyajima and the famous Itsukushima Shrine! 

Dating back all the way to the year 539 AD, Itsukushima Shrine is a national treasure, and the view of its large torii gate floating in the water during high tide is iconic. Getting out to Miyajima Island, where the shrine itself is located, requires a trek out via ferry from the Hiroshima City mainland. Going out onto the pristine waters of the Setouchi Inland Sea to get to Miyajima is also a major part of the experience, and fortunately for many travelers, the ferry is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass! 

Getting from Hiroshima to Miyajima with a JR Ferry

Getting to Miyajima from the Hiroshima mainland consists of the following:

• Get to Miyajimaguchi Station in Hiroshima on the JR Sanyo Line. Miyajimaguchi Station is a 25-minute train ride from Hiroshima Station.
• Purchase tickets for the ferry out to Miyajima. This is covered for JR Pass holders.
• Depart via ferry from Miyajimaguchi (2 minutes from the station). A timetable of ferry departures can be found here.
• Ride via ferry to Miyajima Island to see Itsukushima Shrine. The ferry ride takes around 10 minutes. 

Hiroshima is a city located in the prefecture of the same name in the Chugoku Region. It is located in between the Kansai region, where Osaka and Kyoto are located and Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu. Hiroshima Station is the largest station in the prefecture and serves as the main transportation hub for Hiroshima City. It is a Shinkansen bullet train stop on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line. It can be used to access different parts of the city and prefecture and has great access to surrounding destinations such as Yamaguchi Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture, and Shimane Prefecture. 

From Shin-Osaka Station, the journey takes around 2 hours via Shinkansen bullet train. From Kyoto Station via Shinkansen, it takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Fukuoka Station, expect to travel for around 1 hour via Shinkansen. All the way from Tokyo, the trip takes around 3 hours and 50 minutes. These Shinkansen bullet trains are all accessible with the Japan Rail Pass (though Nozomi Shinkansen bullet trains require an additional fee to board with the pass). Japan Rail Pass holders are also able to get tickets for the ferry out to Miyajima for free as well. 

Taking other ferries out to Miyajima

Aside from the Miyajimaguchi Station ferries, there are other ferries that depart from different locations in Hiroshima. 

From the Memorial Park in Hiroshima, the Aqua Net Hiroshima ferry goes down the river in the city and then to Miyajima Island. A one-way trip via this route is 2,200 yen. Round trip is 4,000 yen. This takes around 55 minutes total one way. 

Via the Setonaikai ferry, departures come from the port of Hiroshima out to Miyajima Island. A one-way ticket costs 2,100 yen. This route takes around 30 minutes. 

These are also great options to look into to get to Miyajima if your itinerary has you mostly within central Hiroshima. However, these ferries are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass and cost a bit more than the ones that depart from Miyajimaguchi. 

Discover Miyajima

What to see?

Itsukushima Shrine

No doubt you’ve seen pictures of its most famous landmark, a huge red torii, or shrine gate, rising out of the water. Erected in 1875 and made of camphor wood, it is one of the largest torii in Japan, measuring more than 16 m (53 ft.) tall. It guards Miyajima’s main attraction, Itsukushima Shrine, designated a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is ranked one of the three most scenic spots in Japan.

• Open daily, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., ¥300.

Momijidani Koen 

Momijidani Koen (Red Maple Valley Park) is one of the most famous maple leaf valley parks in Japan. The park is located at the foot of Mt. Misen, along Momijidani River, behindItsukushima Shrine. In autumn, the blazing colors of the valley are truly breathtaking.

Where to stay?

Iroha Ryokan 蔵宿いろは

589-4 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, 739-0559
Located in Miyajima’s Omotesando Avenue, a five minute walk from Itsukushima Shinto Shrine and Miyajima Pier. The hotel offers a restaurant and Japanese-style rooms with free internet access.

Where to eat?

Kaki-Ya 牡蠣屋

Hiroshima prefecture’s most famous delicacy, oysters, right next to Itsukushima Shrine! From the ferry terminal, turn right and walk along the coast, turning left to enter the shopping street. Kaki-ya is just past the post office.

• 
  Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.