For lovers of islands and temples, Miyajima Island is the perfect place for a quick day trip from Hiroshima. We stayed a single night in Hiroshima and then headed to Miyajima Island for the day before heading to Kyoto later that night. It was certainly a full day, but so worth it! The first thing you will notice upon arrival is the very tame deer that love to hang around people. After the initial excitement, you will notice the signs saying not to feed or pet them. Don’t pass up visiting Miyajima Island, it is a unique experience to have while in Japan!
Getting There
Assuming you are in Hiroshima, you will want to take the train or streetcar to the ferry. From Hiroshima Station, you can take the JR line to Miyajimaguchi Station. Then, you will need to walk to the ferry pier. There are plenty of signs directing you there, and if you are unsure, just follow another tourist-looking person. There are two companies that offer ferry service. They cost the same, but if you have a JR Pass, the JR ferry is included.
Additionally, there is an option for direct boat transfer from Hiroshima Peace Park. I didn’t really look into this for myself because it is a bit more expensive. However, if you are interested in taking a boat, you can read more about that option here.
Itsukushima Shrine
That star of the show on Miyajima Island is Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site. The shrine is well known for its iconic “floating” torii gate, which appears to be floating in the water at high tide. Comparatively, you can walk out to stand by the torii gate during low tide. The cost of admission into the shrine varies, but for adults, it is ¥300 for the shrine, and ¥300 for the treasure hall. However, you can get a combined ticket for ¥500. The cost is less for children, and there are also group rates.
The temple itself is also situated over the water, looking similar to a dock, but much more intricate. There are boardwalks connecting the prayer hall, main hall, and noh theater stage. I was only there during the day, and the shrine was absolutely stunning. However, I know that the shrine and gate are both illuminated at night. I can only imagine how magical that must be. Visiting the shrine and gazing out at the Torii gate give a sense of elation at seeing just how amazing Japanese architecture is, and how much thought was put into its creation. I very much enjoyed my time strolling through the town, dodging deer and other tourists, and just taking it all in. This is a place where you can relax and enjoy the town, temples, and nature.
Hokoku Shrine (Senjokoku Hall)
The Hall was built in 1587 on orders from Toyotomi Hideyoshi with the purpose of chanting Buddhist sutras every month to console the souls of the war dead. The name Senjokaku means the Hall of One Thousand Tatami Mats. Senjokoku Hall was renamed Hokoku Shrine in 1872 and dedicated to the soul of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is now an auxiliary shrine to Itsukushima. It costs a mere ¥100 to enter the temple. Just make sure to take off your shoes!
Five-Storied Pagoda
The pagoda was built in 1407 and is now considered an important cultural property. As you walk through Hokoku Shrine, you will find the pagoda situated behind. This pagoda is gorgeous from any angle and is a great opportunity to admire Buddhist architecture. Accentuated by cherry blossoms, this structure will effortlessly attract your gaze. The pagoda is not open to the public, but that does not detract from its impressive beauty.
Mt. Misen
Mt. Misen is a popular pilgrimage site on Miyajima Island. Its peak is the highest on the island at 500 meters above sea level. The mountain provides excellent views of the mainland as well as some of Japan’s other islands. You can climb the entire mountain on foot, or you can take a rope-way for a portion of the journey. We took the Miyajima rope-way and then walked the remaining 100 meters to the top. You may spot some deer during your hike, and I have read that you could see wild monkeys, but that is rarer as a good portion of the population were moved to sanctuaries due to overpopulation on the island.
One of Japan’s most renowned Buddhist monks, Kobo Daishi, is said to have been the first to practice Buddhism on Mt. Misen. There are several temples near the mountain’s summit. The Reikado (Hall of the Spiritual Flame), protects a flame that Kobo Daishi is said to have lit, that has been burning ever since. In fact, this flame was used to light the Flame of Peace at the Hiroshima Peace Park. As you walk up towards the summit of Mt. Misen, think about all of those who have made this trek before you. There is definitely history on this mountain, and it is so interesting to think about its past travelers.
After the hike to Mt. Misen and back we were exhausted and decided to get on our way to Kyoto. I believe that you could easily spend a couple days on this island and have a great time. If I make it back I will definitely plan on staying in a ryokan to get the full experience. Unfortunately, I never stayed at a ryokan while I was in Japan. If you have, I would love to hear about your experience!
If you are planning a trip to Japan, check out my article about transportation in Japan. It is full of information! Next stop, Kyoto.
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