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Travel guide
Miyajima
4 days · 8 things to do
Best time to go: April to May, and October to November
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Welcome
Miyajima, in a few days
A sacred island in Hiroshima Bay, where a vermilion torii stands in the sea before a shrine on stilts and deer doze by the ferry pier. Mount Misen rises to 535 metres above it all, and the island feels quite different once the last day-trippers leave in the late afternoon.
- Day by day
- D1 Day 1 2 things
- D2 Day 2 2 things
- D3 Day 3 2 things
- D4 Day 4 2 things
- Worth sorting before you go
- Words that help
- The practical page
- Packing checklist
The trip
Day by day
Map of the sights (numbers follow the suggested order). It prints with the base map.
D1
Day 1
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · The floating torii of Itsukushima free · about 1 hThe 16.6-metre vermilion gate stands on the seabed about 200 metres offshore, held by its own weight alone; it was restored between 2019 and 2022.
- Afternoon · Itsukushima Shrine · about 1 hLacquered corridors run 300 metres over the water, linking halls and a noh stage on the sea, on a plan dating from the 12th century.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Miyajima Seaside Hotel€110 a night
D2
Day 2
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Senjokaku and the five-storey pagoda · about 30 minA huge sutra hall of 857 tatami begun by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587 and left unfinished at his death, with no ceiling or front walls.
- Afternoon · Omotesando street and grilled oysters · about 1 hA covered shopping street from the pier to the shrine, with grilled Hiroshima oysters, momiji manju baked on the spot, and a 7.7-metre rice paddle.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Kikunoya€140 a night
D3
Day 3
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Daisho-in Temple free · about 45 minThe island's main Buddhist temple, fifteen minutes' walk from the shrine and away from the crowds, with prayer wheels to spin along the entrance steps.
- Afternoon · Momijidani Park free · about 30 minA small valley of some 200 maples along a stream crossed by stone bridges, which gave its name to the leaf-shaped momiji manju cakes.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Kinsuikan€180 a night
D4
Day 4
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Miyajima Ropeway · about 1 hTwo linked lines climb from Momijidani to Shishiiwa station at about 430 metres: small cabins over the canopy, then a larger car across the valley.
- Afternoon · Mount Misen free · half a dayThe island's 535-metre summit, above protected primeval forest, reached from the village by three trails past granite boulders and small shrines.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Miyajima Hotel Makoto€165 a night
Before you go
Worth sorting before you go
📶 eSIM data
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
🛡️ Travel insurance
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
💳 Fee-free card
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
🚐 Airport transfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
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Good to know
Flavours & local habits
🍽️ Worth tasting
- Sushi and sashimi: raw fish at its freshest, eaten at the counter.
- Ramen: noodles in a deep broth, the comfort food of the country.
- Tempura: vegetables and prawns in a batter light enough to see through.
- Okonomiyaki: a savoury pancake piled with filling, the pride of Osaka and Hiroshima.
- Matcha and wagashi: green tea and the delicate sweets made to go with it.
⚠️ Best avoided
- Never stand your chopsticks upright in rice, and do not blow your nose at the table.
- Tipping does not exist and can embarrass: leave nothing.
- Eating while walking down the street is frowned upon.
- Get an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) rather than buying single tickets.
Getting by
Words that help
English ↔ Japanese
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Hello | こんにちは (konnichiwa) |
| Thank you | ありがとう (arigatō) |
| Please | お願いします (onegai shimasu) |
| Yes | はい (hai) |
| No | いいえ (iie) |
| Excuse me | すみません (sumimasen) |
| Goodbye | さようなら (sayōnara) |
| Do you speak English? | 英語を話せますか (eigo o hanasemasu ka) |
| I don't understand | わかりません (wakarimasen) |
| How much is it? | いくらですか (ikura desu ka) |
| Where are the toilets? | トイレはどこですか (toire wa doko desu ka) |
| The bill, please | お会計お願いします (okaikei onegai shimasu) |
| Help! | 助けて！ (tasukete!) |
| Cheers! | 乾杯！ (kanpai!) |
The essentials
The practical page
CurrencyJapanese yen (JPY, ¥)
BudgetAbout €130 a day, mid-range
Best seasonApril to May, and October to November
PlugA/B · 100V
Tap waterSafe to drink
TippingNo tipping, it is not the custom
Emergency110 (police) / 119
EntryVisa-free for 90 days for EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports.
HealthNo vaccination required. Keep tetanus and polio up to date; hepatitis A is worth considering if you eat well outside the tourist trail.
Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/miyajima
Don't forget
Packing checklist
Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.