Things to Do in Miyajima (宮島（厳島）), Hiroshima: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) in Hiroshima Prefecture (Chugoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Itsukushima Shrine & Floating O-Torii Gate (厳島神社), Mount Misen (弥山, 535 m) & Miyajima Ropeway, Daishō-in Temple (大聖院) and served by Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier via the regional hub at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen). Set at 9 m elevation (34.2958°N, 132.3197°E), Miyajima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Hiroshima-style layered okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles, Miyajima grilled & fried oysters (kaki), Momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) cuisine and exploring neighboring Hatsukaichi (廿日市市) (5.9 km), Ōtake (大竹市) (11 km), Etajima (江田島市) (14.9 km), Waki (和木町) (14.9 km).

It is popularly known as Miyajima, which in Japanese means "Shrine Island". The island is one of Hayashi Gahō's Three Views of Japan specified in 1643. Itsukushima is part of the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture. The island was part of the former town of Miyajima before the 2005 merger with Hatsukaichi. Itsukushima is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine was considered a sacred site for a long time, it is possible that locals built a simple shrine on the site before the complex was built in 593 AD. Within Hiroshima Prefecture, Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) serves as a sacred shrine island (hatsukaichi) in Hiroshima Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 806) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Miyajima's floating Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi), hillside port town of Onomichi, the 70 km Shimanami Kaido island cycling route, and Tomonoura harbor (Fukuyama).

What to See & Do in Miyajima (宮島（厳島）): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) from Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier at 9 m elevation (34.2958°N, 132.3197°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Miyajima):

• Itsukushima Shrine & Floating O-Torii Gate (厳島神社) — local sightseeing landmark near Miyajima (宮島（厳島）).
• Mount Misen (弥山, 535 m) & Miyajima Ropeway — local sightseeing landmark near Miyajima (宮島（厳島）).
• Daishō-in Temple (大聖院) — local sightseeing landmark near Miyajima (宮島（厳島）).
• Senjōkaku (Toyokuni Shrine) & Five-Story Pagoda — local sightseeing landmark near Miyajima (宮島（厳島）).
• Momijidani Park — local sightseeing landmark near Miyajima (宮島（厳島）).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Miyajima: Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier (connecting to Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Miyajima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) and Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier, consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hiroshima Prefecture and Chugoku:

• Hatsukaichi (廿日市市) — 5.9 km from Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Ōtake (大竹市) — 11 km from Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Etajima (江田島市) — 14.9 km from Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Waki (和木町) — 14.9 km from Miyajima (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
• Hiroshima (広島市) — 16.1 km from Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture)

Getting to Miyajima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) via Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier: 1h 25m from Shin-Osaka, 1h 38m from Kyoto, or 3h 55m from Tokyo on the Sanyo Shinkansen. From Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier to reach central Miyajima (34.2958°N, 132.3197°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier: JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Hiroshima with Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) and neighboring Hatsukaichi, Ōtake, Etajima. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Miyajima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Miyajima and continuing toward Hatsukaichi can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Miyajima: While Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier anchors public transit for Miyajima, picking up a rental car at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Itsukushima Shrine & Floating O-Torii Gate (厳島神社) and Mount Misen (弥山, 535 m) & Miyajima Ropeway with nearby Hatsukaichi (廿日市市) (5.9 km), Ōtake (大竹市) (11 km), Etajima (江田島市) (14.9 km), Waki (和木町) (14.9 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) & Hiroshima

Dining near Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier and across Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) highlights the regional food culture of Hiroshima Prefecture and Chugoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Miyajima:

• Local specialty & terroir of Miyajima (宮島（厳島）): sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming alongside irrigated paddy rice cultivation, seasonal produce, and rural satoyama landscapes.
• Hiroshima-style layered okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles — regional specialty enjoyed across Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Miyajima grilled & fried oysters (kaki) — regional specialty enjoyed across Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Onomichi soy-backfat ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Anago-meshi (conger eel over rice) — regional specialty enjoyed across Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) and Hiroshima Prefecture.

If you are dining in Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier.

Where to Stay in Miyajima (宮島（厳島）)

Visitors staying overnight in Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier, or base at major rail hubs in Hiroshima (Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen)) or neighboring Hatsukaichi, Ōtake, Etajima for quick train access into Miyajima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Miyajima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Miyajima (宮島（厳島）, 9 m elevation at 34.2958°N, 132.3197°E): Late March–April for cherry blossoms at Peace Park, Miyajima & Senko-ji (Onomichi); November for Momijidani Park autumn maples on Miyajima; spring/autumn for cycling the Shimanami Kaido.

Wider sightseeing across Hiroshima Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Itsukushima Shrine & Floating O-Torii Gate (厳島神社) in Miyajima (宮島（厳島）) includes: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Miyajima's floating Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi), hillside port town of Onomichi, the 70 km Shimanami Kaido island cycling route, and Tomonoura harbor (Fukuyama).

Practical Travel Tips for Miyajima (宮島（厳島）)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Miyajima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen) or Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier for local bus schedules to Itsukushima Shrine & Floating O-Torii Gate (厳島神社) and walking maps of Miyajima (宮島（厳島）).
• Cash & ATMs in Miyajima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Itsukushima Shrine & Floating O-Torii Gate (厳島神社) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Miyajima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Miyajima: Around Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅, JR San'yō Line / Hiroden Tram) + 10 min JR West / Matsudai Ferry to Miyajima Pier and neighboring Hatsukaichi, Ōtake, Etajima, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.