Miyajima is a small town on an island just off the coast of Hiroshima, famous for its torii gate that sits in the ocean and, at high tide, appears to be floating on the water. Getting from Hiroshima to Miyajima takes under an hour, so it is an easy day trip to add to your Hiroshima itinerary. We visited in April, during cherry blossom season, and because we came early, we had the quiet town to ourselves while the tide was still low. By the afternoon the water had come in and the gate was floating. This guide covers which ferry to take, when to see the gate, and what else to do on the island, as part of your trip through Japan.
Miyajima at a glance
Getting There
45-minute ferry from central Hiroshima, or a local train plus a 10-minute ferry
Time needed
A full day
BEst Time
Early morning, then back at the shrine for high tide based on the tide schedule
Tickets
The shrine ticket is reusable all day. Purchase in person. Ferry tickets can be purchased in advance (especially during peak season) or in person
How to Get from Hiroshima to Miyajima
There are two ways to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima, and both end with a ferry. We took the short ferry there in the morning and the longer ferry back, because of the schedules. Check current fares and schedules on the ferry website before you go.
Option 1
Local train to Miyajimaguchi, then a 10-minute ferry
JR Pass holders, and arriving early
The train costs the same as any public transportation in Japan, and you can pay for both the train and the JR ferry with your IC card (Suica or Pasmo) or your JR Pass.
Option 2
Ferry from Motoyasu Pier (45 minutes)
staying near the Peace Park
This ferry leaves from Motoyasu Pier, beside the Peace Memorial Park in the center of Hiroshima, and goes straight to the island. It costs more (2,400 yen, about $16 USD, per person when we went) but is very convenient if you are staying near the Peace Park. You can book the Motoyasu ferry in advance until 8:30 PM the day before; we did not reserve ours ahead.
Option 3
Guided experiences from a hub
Best for travelers who want a guided experience
Take a day tour where you will be guided through the transportation process. You will also get information about local history and culture. Food and transportation may or may not be included in the price of the tour.
Check Miyajima tours on Viator
We earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Heads Up
Miyajima charges a small visitor tax, collected with your ferry fare. The fee is bundled into the cost of your ferry out to the island and is 100 yen per person in 2026.
Itsukushima Shrine and the Floating Torii Gate
The main reason people visit Miyajima is to see the floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine. Because of the tides, the beauty of the gate and the entire shrine peaks during high tide, which changes daily. The shrine is busiest in the mid-afternoon, when many of the tour groups arrive.
Good to Know
Deer roam all over Miyajima, so keep any food out of sight (there are fewer than in Nara).
When to see the torii gate at high tide
A ticket into the shrine is reusable throughout the day, so we recommend buying it as soon as you get to Miyajima (as early as possible). You can then walk around the shrine while there are very few people around, no matter where the water level is. If the tide is higher in the afternoon, you can skip the ticket line and walk right in.
The tide times change every day, so check them for your date on Tide-Forecast before you go. To avoid the crowds, take one of the first boats to the island and arrive when the shrine opens. It was much busier in the afternoon than first thing in the morning.
Can you walk to the torii gate at low tide?
Yes, when the tide is low enough. We walked out across the sand toward the gate in the morning. The tide was not quite low enough for us to reach it, but we got close, and on some days the water goes out far enough to walk right up to the gate.
Where to photograph the torii gate
While a photo from the end of the shrine toward the torii gate is very popular, you can also get a photo from the beach next to the shrine, without waiting in line and with fewer crowds. We watched high tide from both, and in the afternoon the shrine and the walkway leading to it were very crowded.
Mount Misen and Momijidani Park
While waiting for high tide, or after you explore the shrine, make your way to Momijidani Park, where you can ride the ropeway up Mount Misen, the highest peak on the island. There are also hikes that take you to the peak. We took the ropeway in both directions, but you still walk about 10 minutes uphill from town to reach the ropeway station, and at the top you walk up a bit more to the viewpoints over Hiroshima Bay. Allow an hour and a half to two hours from the town center, depending on the lines and how long you spend at the top.
The line for the ropeway gets longer as the day goes on. We bought our shrine ticket first, since there was no line yet, then went straight to the ropeway, and because we were so early, the line was short.
Omotesando Shopping Street
Miyajima's Omotesando is the most popular street in town, lined with souvenir shops, boutiques, street food, and restaurants. It was busy and crowded when we walked it, but still a nice place to browse the boutiques. Make sure to try momiji manju (maple leaf shaped cakes), the island's best-known sweet. There are also some good restaurants on the island, but you will need a reservation.
A One Day Miyajima Itinerary
One day on Miyajima
Early morning
Take one of the first boats to the island using the public transportation
Buy your shrine ticket while there is no line yet. The shrine opens at 6:30 AM but shops on Omotesando street and the Momijidani ropeway do not open until 9 AM so get to the island around 8 AM to get the quiet experience.
Low tide
Walk the shrine and the sand
Get as close to the torii gate as the water allows.
Morning
Ride the ropeway up Mount Misen
Views over Hiroshima Bay, before the line grows.
1.5 to 2 hours
Midday
Omotesando and momiji manju
Boutiques, street food, and maple leaf cakes.
1 hour
High tide
Back to the floating gate
Check the tide time for your date before you go. High tide could be in the morning.
Late afternoon
Ferry back to the Peace Park
If you haven't purchased your ticket on the ferry, get in line to ensure that you will be able to go on the next departure. The Motoyasu ferry lands in central Hiroshima.
45 minutes
Continue Planning your Trip to Japan
Make the most of your time in Japan with these guides.
