Someday journey itinerary – You May Journey

Going from Hiroshima to Miyajima for a day journey is a improbable technique to spend your time, as you’ll go to considered one of Japan’s most picturesque islands. Miyajima is an exquisite island near Hiroshima, recognized for its large crimson torii gate that appears prefer it’s floating within the water when the tide is excessive.

Miyajima, a brief ferry experience from Hiroshima, is a peaceable place that provides a mixture of pure magnificence and cultural heritage, with its well-known Itsukushima Shrine and pleasant deer roaming the streets.

I just lately took a day journey to Miyajima with my husband, and I’ve gathered all of the important suggestions and highlights that can assist you profit from your journey. I need to share some recommendations on what to see and do in Miyajima to make your journey particular. This information goals to give you a sensible itinerary to see the very best components of Miyajima in sooner or later.

get to Miyajima from Hiroshima

There are 2 methods to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima, and so they all contain crossing by ferry or high-speed boat. To be sure to profit from your day in Miyajima, please go away for Miyajima Island no later than 9am.

Prepare + Ferry (most price efficient)

Regardless of the place you’re staying in Hiroshima, head to Hiroshima Station first. Since a lot of individuals go to Miyajima day by day, trains can get crowded. To seize a seat, it’s greatest to start out on the important station.

From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station. It’s a couple of 26-minute experience. Use your JR Go you probably have one, or purchase a ticket for 420 yen.

When you’re at Miyajimaguchi Station, it’s only a 5-minute stroll to the ferry terminal.
On the terminal, you’ll be able to catch both the JR Miyajima Ferry or the Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Island. The ferry experience takes about 10 minutes.

Each ferries will get you to Miyajima in 10 minutes and cost 200 yen a technique, plus the customer charge. In case you have a JR Go, you would possibly want the JR Ferry because it received’t price you additional for the spherical journey.

Excessive-Pace Boat (quickest)

You’ll be able to take a ship (Aqua Internet Hiroshima) straight from Hiroshima Peace Park to Miyajima. It’s a 45-minute journey and prices 2200 yen a technique, or 4000 yen for a spherical journey, not together with the customer charge. Boats go away twice each hour.

There’s additionally a ship firm (Setonaikai Kisen) from Hiroshima Port to Miyajima that takes half-hour and prices 2100 yen a technique, with out the customer charge, and this service runs as soon as each hour. Keep in mind, you’ll be able to’t use the Japan Rail Go for these boat journeys. In the event you endure from movement illness, do take a movement illness capsule about half-hour earlier than boarding these boats.

Miyajima customer charge

Everybody going to Miyajima must pay a customer charge. This new charge, which kicked in October 2023, is 100 yen (round 67 cents) for every go to. In the event you’re considering of going again to Miyajima a couple of occasions, you would possibly need to get an annual cross for 500 yen ($3.35).

The price of your ferry ticket consists of the customer charge in case you’re paying with an everyday ticket or an IC card. However in case you’re utilizing a JR cross, you’ll want to purchase a separate 100 yen customer charge ticket on the ferry terminal.

Miyajima Day Journey Itinerary

You’ll be able to spend the evening on Miyajima island, however extra guests (myself included) take a day journey right here from Hiroshima. It’s simple to take action, and sooner or later is sufficient to see all of the highlights on Miyajima island. The one cause I might suggest staying on Miyajima in a single day, is in order for you an genuine ryokan expertise, which is one thing Hiroshima metropolis doesn’t provide. With out additional ado, let’s get began!

1) Miyajima Omotesandō Purchasing Avenue

From the primary ferry terminal, stroll for about 10 minutes in direction of the primary procuring road. You’ll be able to’t miss it, virtually everybody can be headed in direction of it.

Miyajima Omotesandō Purchasing Avenue is a energetic space the place you store and eat. It’s stuffed with shops promoting souvenirs, native crafts and well-known Hiroshima snacks. My advice is to deliver loads of money with you, as smaller stalls won’t settle for bank cards.

Really helpful treats and meals to attempt:

Momiji Manju – A maple leaf-shaped cake historically crammed with candy crimson bean paste. These days, it is available in numerous fillings like custard, chocolate, and cheese, reflecting a mix of conventional and fashionable tastes.

Miyajima Oysters – The waters round Miyajima are famend for oyster farming. These oysters might be loved uncooked, grilled, steamed, or fried and are recognized for his or her dimension, juiciness, and wealthy taste. In the event you fancy a sit down meal, we suggest Umeyama, the place we had our lunch. We ordered the fried oyster set meal which got here with rice, miso and pickles.

Anago Meshi – A neighborhood delicacy consisting of grilled saltwater eel (anago) served over a mattress of rice. It’s recognized for its tender texture and sweet-savory sauce that enhances the eel completely.

Tsukune Nabe – A sort of sizzling pot that features tsukune (hen meatballs) as a major ingredient, together with greens and different objects. It’s a comforting dish, particularly common in the course of the colder months.

Age Momiji – A variation of the Momiji Manju, this deal with is deep-fried, giving it a crispy outer layer whereas holding the within smooth and candy. It’s often served on a stick and comes with flavors like cheese, oyster and roe.

Miyajima Senbei – These are Japanese rice crackers that are available in numerous flavors, together with soy sauce, seaweed, and squid. They’re massive, straightforward to eat and crispy.

Smooth Serve Ice Cream – Some retailers like Furaido Omotesando provide native flavors like candy potato serve (topped with a candy potato crisp).

2) Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine is considered one of Japan’s most iconic and revered Shinto shrines. It’s thought-about a nationwide treasure and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Web site since 1996 and the primary cause to go to Miyajima, to see its floating torii gate. The beautiful vermilion torii gate seems to be standing in the course of the ocean throughout excessive tide.

Itsukushima Shrine dates again to the sixth century, with the present construction primarily constructed within the twelfth century beneath the patronage of Taira no Kiyomori, a robust determine in Japan’s Heian interval. The torii you see right this moment will not be the unique. The gate, typically hit by wind and floods, has been rebuilt seven occasions, with the final reconstruction occurring in 1875.

Don’t fear in case you don’t see the shrine at excessive tide (examine the tide occasions on-line), because it’s simply as stunning throughout low tide too. You may get near it and take up shut photographs with the pillars.

The workers on the shrine have observed that some individuals began placing cash into the cracks of the gate. This harms the torii enormously, so please don’t do it in case you go to artwork low tide.

The deer at Itsukushima Shrine

The sika deer (Cervus nippon) on Miyajima Island are actually pleasant and stroll round freely, even within the city, however primarily you’ll see them round Itsukushima Shrine. In response to Shinto faith, individuals consider these deer are messengers from the gods, in order that they’re fairly particular.

They’re enjoyable to see whenever you’re visiting, however bear in mind to not feed them or hassle them an excessive amount of, they’re nonetheless wild animals, and feeding them could make them sick or change the best way they act naturally.

3) Toyokuni Shrine 5-Story Pagoda

The 5-Storied Pagoda (Gojunoto) is a part of the Toyokuni Shrine and is situated close to the Itsukushima Shrine and south aspect of Daiganji Temple. It’s a standout landmark on Miyajima island and one you can not miss in your journey, because it’s seen from all angles. The pagoda, initially in-built 1407 and restored in 1533, reaches a top of about 27 meters (88 ft). It’s free to admire it however you can not enter it. It’s one of many oldest pagodas and at the moment referred to as the unique 5-story pagoda in Japan.

4) Mount Misen

Mount Misen is the best peak on Miyajima island at about 535 meters (1,755 ft) tall. The primary attraction on Mount Misen is the Mount Misen Observatory on the summit, from the place you’ll be able to see the Seto Inland Sea and its smaller islands.

There are two methods to succeed in the summit: by ropeway or by climbing to the highest. I’ll inform you about each so you can also make an knowledgeable choice. I foolishly determined to hike to the highest, considering will probably be an informal stroll within the park. Spoiler alert, it wasn’t! On the intense aspect, the bodily exercise and the continual climbing of all these stairs did assist my knees rather a lot.

Ropeway to Mount Misen

Price: 2,000 yen (spherical journey)
Please word, the final returning gondola is at 16:30.

Stroll to Kayatani Station via the Momijidani Park. The park is called after the Japanese phrase for maple leaves, “momiji,” and is famend for its picturesque surroundings, particularly in the course of the autumn when the maple timber flip vibrant shades of crimson and orange.

Don’t fancy strolling in any respect? There’s even a free shuttle bus that takes you proper to the doorway of the ropeway. I do suggest the 10-minute stroll (0.1 km), because it takes you thru some stunning nature which is nice for some beautiful photographs.

As soon as you might be on the ropeway station, take the the Miyajima Ropeway to the Shishiiwa Station for a scenic view.

Mount Misen Path

My husband and I really like lengthy walks and hikes, so after we came upon the climb up Mount Misen was simply 2.5 km, we determined to go for it.

There are three climbing routes:
Momijidani Route: 1.5 – 2 hours. That is by far the preferred and the route we determined to take.
Daishoin Route: 1.5 – 2 hours
Omoto Route: 2 – 2.5 hours

At the beginning of the route, we noticed an indication in English warning guests about viper snakes and wasps. As we continued, we noticed a couple of extra indicators cautioning us about wasps forward and reminding us to watch out. Fortuitously, we didn’t come throughout any snakes or wasps throughout our climb.

The path begins fairly good, with a delicate stroll surrounded by beautiful Japanese nature. We truthfully thought the entire path can be like this. A few minutes later we got here throughout some stone steps and thus beginning our ascend.

What we didn’t realise is that the entire hike to the summit was going to be identical to this: climbing steps after steps, after steps. Now as you’ll see from my footage, I used to be not ready for this, I wore a skirt and a few informal sneakers that day.

The climb did take 2 hours to succeed in the summit, however truthfully, it was painful and really tough. There have been no vista factors all through the climb actually and barely any relaxation stops alongside the best way. I’ll say that in case you determine to do the climb, you have to to deliver a whole lot of water with you.

As soon as we bought to the highest it was properly price it, because the views have been certainly excellent. Having stated all that, I actually can not inform you the advantages of taking the painful climbing path over the ropeway.

Evidently, that on our again, we bought the ropeway! Please word that to get the ropeway from the highest, that you must purchase your ticket in money. There are not any card amenities on the prime of the mountain.

In the event you’re contemplating taking the ropeway up and climbing down, assume once more! It may appear much less tiring, however the path has some steep steps that may actually pressure your knees, particularly because it’s 2.5 km all the best way down. In the event you actually crave the bodily train, then going up the steps can be simpler on you.

5) Hiroshima Lemons Drinks

No journey to Miyajima is full with out a fast cease on the Gebura Sister, a brand new bar that specialises in drinks made with Hiroshima lemons syrup. The proprietor advised us that the syrup can’t be mass-produced which is why their drinks are so particular and proudly native.

Their drinks are very inexpensive, with costs within the area of 700-800 yen for a cocktail. In the event you determine to have a refill, although, your subsequent drink is simply 200 yen! The identical individuals function the oyster bar 50m away known as Kakiya.

6) Dinner on Miyajima

Most native retailers and meals stalls shut at 5pm on Miyajima however there are a couple of eating places which might be open for the night. These are particularly nice if you wish to take pleasure in some native delicacies and increase the native financial system. There are two eating places we suggest on Miyajima:

Mikotoya – Syokudo and Teishoku restaurant. (Opening occasions 17:00 – 20:30, closed on Mondays) Their fried oyster set is particularly scrumptious.

Miyajima Sushi Tensen – Excessive finish “omakase nigiri”. The phrase means you’re going to get the chef’s selection of 10-12 items of sushi with a small appetizer and oyster soup. Costs for dinner vary from 10,000 – 17,000 yen per particular person. Reservation is required a minimum of 3 days upfront. (Opening occasions 17:00 – 22:00, closed on Wednesdays)

7) Again to Hiroshima

To get again to Hiroshima you’ll have the identical choices as coming to Miyajima.

Choice 1: Take the following obtainable ferry from Miyajima Island to Miyajimaguchi Station. Use your JR Go to take the JR Sanyo Line from Miyajimaguchi Station to Hiroshima Station (roughly 26 minutes).

Choice 2: Take a excessive velocity boat again to Hiroshima Peace Park (Aqua Internet Hiroshima) or to Hiroshima Port (Setonaikai Kisen).

Don’t fancy going again to the resort but? There are loads of issues to do in Hiroshima, and I’m additionally together with a couple of locations I like to recommend for dinner which I attempted and examined throughout my keep in Hiroshima.

Lemon&OysterGarden SANGO – Oyster bar Restaurant. Count on a wide range of oysters, uncooked and cooked as properly in case you want. Relying on whenever you go to, sea urchin is perhaps in season. I particularly suggest their sea urchin and salmon roe roll. I like to recommend reserving a desk upfront for this restaurant.

Nagataya – Okonomiyaki Restaurant. This restaurant bought very busy within the night, however the wait was properly price it. Make sure that to check in earlier than taking the seat within the ready space, because the workers will name you by quantity. You want a translator app in your telephone for this (like Google translate). You can be requested if you wish to sit down on the counter or desk. I made a decision for desk so I can have more room for making okonomiyaki.

Ekie Eating – It’s situated on the first ground within the Hiroshima Station. There are 24 totally different eating places to choose from. There’s a ground information which exhibits the sorts of meals obtainable. Dashi& Soba Suisha is particularly nice as a result of it specialises in my favorite Japanese meals: soba set meals.

Ultimate Ideas

I liked our time spent on Miyajima island and admire how straightforward it’s to take pleasure in a day journey there. I visited twice now, and I can inform you that whereas the vacationers visiting Miyajima have now doubled, the place is simply as stunning and nonetheless price including to your Japan itinerary.

The primary spotlight for me was seeing the Nice Torii at excessive tide, as the primary time I visited I noticed it at low tide. I additionally liked simply what number of extra varieties of outlets opened up, stuffed with nice and scrumptious meals. I imply, meals is all the things in Japan, proper, so attending to take pleasure in such huge forms of road meals was positively an enormous bonus.

I can see why Miyajima is an exquisite vacation spot 12 months spherical. I visited each in Spring and Autumn, however loved the climate within the autumn much more. It was hotter, and the panorama was extra vibrant.

In the event you’re considering of visiting Miyajima from Hiroshima, please achieve this! You’re going to adore it.

Often Requested Questions