Not sure how to plan on your Mt Misen itinerary and wondering what to do? This guide will help you plan your hiking trip to the summit with some useful travel information and tips.
Mount Misen (弥山) is one of the popular attractions in Miyajima or Hiroshima. At 500 meters (1,640 ft) above sea level, Mount Misen is the highest peak on the Island and offers spectacular views of Hiroshima Bay. It is situated within the World Heritage area of Itsukushima Shrine. A fabulous and popular spot to visit for travelers on the Miyajima itinerary.
If you enjoy hiking, then you’ll want to spare some time on Mount Misen. There are a few lovely hiking options that take you to the summit. Many locals and even visitors hike up to this mountain peak for its impressive peak. Travelers also can reduce the difficulties by reaching the summit with the help of a cable car.
One of the stops during my visit to Miyajima was Mount Misen. We can’t pass up a hiking opportunity on our travels. With a tight schedule, we got no choice but to skip the full hiking course and reach the summit with Miyajima Ropeway. But still, the hiking journey turns out to be one of the memorable memories of my trip to Hiroshima.
Whatever you’d like to plan to reach the top of the mountain, this easy travel guide can help you plan your ideal Mount Misen itinerary. Let’s check it out!
Hiking Mount Misen is doable to complete in a few hours. For those fit and adventurous, you may take the 2 hours course and walk up countless stairs to the summit of Mount Misen. It is a great walk through the wild forest with plenty of shrines along the journey before rewarding you with the breathtaking view at the top.
There are 3 hiking trail courses up Mount Misen, each taking between 1.5-2 hours to reach the summit:
Daisho-in Course – Climbs 2,000 stone steps to the summit of Mount Misen. It is the most popular trail which with take you about 1.5 – 2 hours.
Momijidani Course – 2.5 km long with about 1.5 hours with a sloping road. The shortest trail follows the river with some beautiful scenes along the trail.
Omoto Course – This longest 3.2 km trail will take around 2 hours to reach the summit with a sloping road and stone steps.
Pro Tips: The Daisho-in Course is the most popular course among the three. Whichever course you choose, expect a 1.5 to 2 hour walk to the summit.
Daishoin Temple
Although Itsukushima Shrine is one of the main reasons we visit Miyajima, far more special is the Daishoin temple. It’s located at the base of Mount Misen and is a peaceful and well-maintained Shingon Buddhist temple.
The historical Daishoin Temple consists of multiple buildings with numerous statues, religious items, and meditation halls. It is so unique seeing over 500 rakans and adorable jizo statues in the area. All the statues have knitted hats on their heads to keep them warm.
The Daishoin Temple is located at the start of the hiking trails, so you can spend a few moments here before making the trek up to the summit of Mount Misen. We have a short visit at Daishoin Temple before making the trek up to Mount Misen.
If time is of the essence, and you are not able to hike the entire elevation of Mt Misen, then an alternative would be to take the Miyajima Ropeway. The Ropeway will take you up to the upper station at Shishi-iwa Observatory where you can continue for 30 minutes to reach the summit of Mt Misen for some spell-binding views at 1755 feet – Just like what we did!
The Miyajima ropeway will take people up and down the mountain. It runs from 9:00 until 16:00, with some seasonal changes. Each trip takes only about 15 minutes with no reservation required. The cost for Miyajima Ropeway is ¥1,100 for one way and ¥2,000 for a round trip.
To get to the start of Miyajima Ropeway, walk through the lovely Momijidani Park to the Momijidani Station with less than a 10-minute walk. The station Momijidani Station is where the ropeway departs. A free shuttle bus is provided to and from the ropeway station at the entrance to Momijidani Park.
There isn’t much to do at the upper station except to take in the sights. You can take some rest or enjoy the lovely view from the viewpoint. Within a few minutes, you may want to start making your hike to the summit or return trip.
Miyajima Ropeway Operating Hours: From 9:00 to 16:00 Fares (Adult): ¥1,100 for one way and ¥2,000 for a round trip. Fares (Children – 6-12 Years Old): ¥550 for one way and ¥1,000 for a round trip. Official Website: http://miyajima-ropeway.info/english/
Pro Tips: Bad weather (strong winds, thunderstorms) and periodic maintenance happen twice a year (around February and July). Check with the official website prior to your trip to avoid disappointment.
Mount Misen Summit
From the ropeway’s upper station, we continue the remaining 1km trail that leads us to the summit. Still, the hike is not so easy and exhausting. The 30-minute hike involved 10 minutes downhill and 20 minutes uphill. Please wear good sporting shoes as there are a lot of stairs. When you reached the summit, the view is breathtaking!
At the Mount Misen summit, you see the surrounding islands of Miyajima and the Hiroshima bay. It’s worth the effort to hike to Mount Misen’s summit on your Miyajima trip.
Misen Hondo and Reikado
Near the Misen’s summit, there is an open area housing several temple buildings which belong to Daisho-in Temple at the base of the mountain. One of the particular interest are the Misen Hondo and Reikado.
The Misen Hondo (Misen Main Hall) is built by Kobo Daishi on Miyajima in 806. He is one of Japan’s most famous Buddhist priests and the founder of the Shingon sect. He began worshiping on the mountain and built the Daishoin Temple on Miyajima in 806.
The Reikado (Hall of the Spiritual Flame) houses an enternal frame which is said to have been lit by Kobo Daishi since he began worshiping on the mountain. This holy fire was also used to light the Flame of Peace in Hiroshima’s Peace Park.
Wonder of Nature
There are also few significant attractions on the summit where you can take a look. We didn’t have time to see all of the them and it is still worth recommended it.
The most significant sight in Mount Misen is the “Kuguri-iwa”, one of the strange rock formations. The rocks, by the Mt. Misen Observatory, create a natural arch. Mant people will come here to see and pass through the under the rock. Interesting.
You can check the other wonder of nature on Mt Misen website.
Overall: My Hiking Trip To Mt Misen
All in all, we highly recommended including the Mt Misen itinerary in your visit to Miyajima. The hiking trail was tiring but not too bad. We truly enjoy the easy hike to the summit.
The only problem is fitting all the attractions into one day. There are plenty of things to do on Miyajima island itself and please allocate enough time on your visit. My advice is don’t rush and stay one night on the Miyajima to get the most out of your visit!
That’s it! We hope this Mt Misen itinerary with hiking and Miyajima ropeway information is helpful. If you need more inspiration on how to plan your trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima, feel free to read our travel stories about the Chugoku region:
Planning your visit to Miyajima and looking for how to get to Miyajima island? Here is the details step-by-step guide with transport information and money-saving tips.
A visit to Miyajima can experience the traditional temples and shrines, see one of the tallest torii, and explore nature and wildlife. It is a perfect day trip from Hiroshima with beautiful attractions and hiking options. We highly recommend making time for an excursion to this small quaint island when visiting Hiroshima.
Depending on your starting location, you can get to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima, Okayama, Osaka, Kyoto, or any other neighboring cities. Once you are in Hiroshima, the journey will continue with a short and gorgeous ferry ride to the enchanted island.
In this Miyajima transport guide article, we’ll share a detail step-by-step guide on how to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima and Osaka with transport information and money-saving tips. Let’s start heading to Miyajima Island for the day!
Miyajima is accessed by ferry, and you can easily do this as a day trip from Hiroshima. There are three ways of getting to Miyajima, either combined with a local train or tram and a ferry ride from the ferry terminal or by direct high-speed ferry from Hiroshima city center.
How To Get To Miyajima:
Direct High-Speed Ferry – Depart from Hiroshima Peace Park to Mijiama Island
Combination of JR Local train and ferry
Combination of electric tram and ferry
If you have a Japan Rail Pass and some other JR Regional Pass such as JR Kansai-Hiroshima Pass, you may ride the JR local train and JR ferry from Hiroshima station to Miyajima Island. However, others options such as tram and the direct ferry would not be covered. You can purchase a JR Pass through Klook or Japan Rail Pass.
Direct High-Speed Ferry
The direct high-speed ferry is the fastest way to get to Miyajima island. The journey will take about 45 minutes from Hiroshima city center (Peace Memorial Park) to Miyajima island. The one-way journey will cost you ¥2,200 for an adult and half-price for a kid. Round trip ticket will be cheaper and is valid for 2 days.
Check here for fare and ferry information for Hiroshima World Heritage Sea Route to Miyajima Island.
The direct ferry ride is more expensive, but you can get to Miyajima island easily without any transfer. This option is best for travelers in Hiroshima city, especially those with a rush schedule with Hiroshima and Miyajima itinerary within 1 day.
Combination of Tram / JR local train and Ferry
Travelers also can get to Miyajima island with a combination of tram or JR local train and a 10-minute ferry ride.
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR local train from San-Yo Line to JR Miyajima-Guchi Station. The ride will take between 20 to 30 minutes depending if you take a local or rapid route.
When you arrive at Miyajima-Guchi Station, walk for 6 minutes to the ferry terminal for the ferry ride.
Alternatively, take a electric tram (Line 2) all the way to Miyajimaguchi from Hiroshima city or Hiroshima station will get you right in front of the ferry terminal. The journey will be longer and would take over 1 hour.
There are two ferry companies operating ferries between the mainland ferry terminal to Miyajima Island:
JR West Ferry – The ferry departs four times an hour from 8:00 to 18:00.
Matsudai Ferry run by a private company – Ferry departs 3 to 4 times an hour. The last ferry to Miyajima Island is at 20:35.
Choose either one and the price is ¥180 (adult) for a one-way trip. You can find the detailed timetable of the ferry over here.
Step-by-Step Guide: From Hiroshima Station To Miyajima
Among all the options, we choose to take the JR local train and JR ferry to Miyajima since it will covered under our JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass.
Prior the trip to Miyajima island, we took the JR Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka and arrived at Hiroshima Station. From Shin-Osaka, we catch a bullet train on the Sanyo line. Many shinkansen run on this route and it is advised allocate about 1.5 hours for the ride.
The fastest train covered by the JR pass is the Sakura train which takes about 1 hour 32 minutes. While Mizuho and Nozomi trains take 1 hour 25 minutes but are not covered by the JR pass. Glad that the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass is covered on it.
Transfer to the JR Local Train to Miyajimaguchi Station
Once arrived at Hiroshima station, in the same station, change to the Platform for Sanyo Line westbound for Miyajima-guchi and Iwakuni to take the JR local train to Miyajima island.
The trains come every 15 minutes, and it took 30 minutes with several stops before reaching Miyajimaguchi station.
Walk 5 minutes to the Ferry Terminal
Following the crowd, we walked over to the ferry terminal. Well-signed will guide you will walk through the underground walkway and restaurant street to Miyajima Ferry Port from JR Miyajima-Guchi Station. Pretty straightforward.
When you are in the ferry terminal, queue to be on board. No action is required if you are a JR Pass holder and your ferry ride is free. Else, you will need to get the ferry ticket at ¥180 for a one-way trip.
There are 2 ferry company running on this route. JR West Ferry will on the right side.
Board the JR West ferry to Miyajima Island
The ferry timetable is very frequent and did not have to wait long. It was busy with people on and off between Miyajima island and the mainland.
Though there was a huge crowd, the boarding process went smoothly and efficiently.
The ferry was very comfortable with a separate room for the elderly and an open deck on top. We choose to go up to the upper deck to enjoy the scenic view.
A very smooth 10-minute ferry ride will get you to Miyajima island. Stand on the right side and you get a great view of the massive red Tori Gate as you approach the island.
Approaching Miyajima was particularly exciting as the beautiful eye-catching floating Torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine comes into view with Mt Misen in its background. You will possible get closer during high tides. Get your camera ready!
Overall: Getting To Miyajima Island
All in all, the transport arrangement to get to Miyajima island is very well managed. It is worry-free and well-organized by a train and a lovely ferry ride to the island of Miyajima. The entire journey was smooth and pleasant.
In short, here is a quick recap on how we get to Miyajima Island from Shin-Osaka:
From Shin-Osaka, take the shinkansen to Hiroshima Station (広島).
In the same station, transfer to the JR local train to Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口)
Walk 5 minutes to the ferry terminal
Board the JR West ferry to Miyajima Island
Lastly, let’s start to explore Miyajima island!
That’s it! We hope this transportation guide on how to get to Miyajima is helpful. If you need more inspiration on how to plan your trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima, feel free to read our travel stories about the Chugoku region:
There are so many incredible things to do on Miyajima Island from visiting traditional temples and shrines, to enormous torii, and exploring nature and wildlife. Here we share our Miyajima travel guide blog, all about what to do on the island, with a detailed Miyajima itinerary to help you plan your trip there!
Located in Hiroshima Bay, Miyajima (宮島) is a small island in Hiroshima prefecture. This enchanted island is extremely beautiful and more commonly referred to as “Shrine Island”. It houses the world-famous Itsukushima Shrine and its enormous torii gate. At high tide, this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the giant torii gate appear to float on water.
During our visit to Miyajima, the primary reason was to see Itsukushima Shrine. The shrine itself was amazing and serene when visiting the shrine and torii gate. But we were inspired by how beautiful this island is. The island is home to lots of free-roaming deer, and walking around the whole surrounding area made it a truly wonderful experience. You may also plan for hiking trails that take you up Mt. Misen for spectacular views of the city and bay.
This Miyajima travel guide blog highlights how to get to Miyajima, what to do in Miyajima in one day, and where to stay overnight. Our Miyajima itinerary is combined with a visit to Miyajima Island and its famous floating tori gate. Check it out!
Miyajima Island without a doubt a popular travel destination in Hiroshima and even Japan. The island house the world-famous Itsukushima Shrine and seabound ‘torii’ gate.
But did you know, the island used to be called Itsukushima Island due to its popularity? Today, it’s more commonly known as Miyajima which means “shrine island”. When the water recedes at low tide, visitors can walk up to the Torii gate and see it up close.
The Itsukushima Shrine and the O-Torii gate are one of the Japan’s most celebrated views. It is rated as Japan’s three most scenic views, along with Amanohashidate in northern Kyoto and Matsushima Bay in Miyagi.
Though outside the central city, Miyajima Island without a doubt the most visited attraction in Hiroshima. It is one of the best day trips from Hiroshima and also nearby cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Okayama. Fom Hiroshima Station, it only takes about less than an hour (about 40 minutes) to reach. Visitor also can has a good alternative to staying in the island in the relaxing vibe.
Getting to Miyajima is easy and straightforward. It will only take less than an hour to reach Miyajima from Hiroshima station by a combination of the train and the ferry.
How To Get to Miyajima Island:
From Hiroshima Station (広島駅), take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅). The ride will take between 20-30 minutes depending if you take a local or rapid route.
Walk a few minutes walk to the ferry port and board the ferry. The boat ride is nice and relaxing, with beautiful views of the city in the distance.
The best thing is Japan Rail Pass and Regional JR Pass (JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass) allowed visitors to make the round-trip by train and ferry for free! With the JR pass you can catch the local train (JR Sanyo) and JR ferry for no extra charge, and there is a very frequent service. Once you are on the island, most of the major attractions on Miyajima Island are within walking distance.
Miyajima Travel Guide Tips: We also documented a more detailed step-by-step guide on how to get to Miyajima island. Check it out!
How Many Time For Visiting Miyajima
A day or half-day trip is absolutely doable when planning the Miyajima itinerary. We suggest that you spend a full day in Miyajima to maximize sightseeing opportunities. Visiting the Itsukushima Shrine with the torii gate, and walking around the island that is full of deer, enjoying the food at the food street can easily fill up the 3 to 4 hours. Don’t forget to allocate more time if you plan to climb Mt Misen.
If time is permitted, we highly recommended staying overnight in Miyajima to experience ancient Japan. The island can be very busy during the day, especially on weekends. You will have a more serene time on Miyajima Island when the last ferry takes most tourists back to the mainland late in the afternoon.
Where To Stay
Although we visit Miyajima as a day trip, we highly recommended spending one night on the island. We felt it was slightly crowded during the day especially since our visit is on weekend. Also, Miyajima surprises us with its fantastic sights and attraction. We spent the whole day there and didn’t regret it. It would be lovely to stay overnight.
There are many top-rated hotels on the island to visit and you can consider staying overnight on the island for a more relaxed vibe. Here is our recommendations:
Luxury: Kurayado Iroha is one of the top-quality accommodations on the island. The stylish rooms feature tatami-mat flooring and private bathrooms on the rooftop.
High-Range: Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto is located a few steps away from the shrine and all the main attractions. The view from the window is spectacular. Incredible stay!
Mid-Budget: Sakuraya offers affordable Japanese-style rooms with mountain or sea views. Value for money and great for a one-night stay on Miyajima.
Miyajima Travel Guide Tips: Limited rooms are available on Miyajima island. It’s always advice to book the hotels and homestays in Miyajima (aka Itsukushima Island) early.
There are so many incredible things to do in Miyajima during your visit. Depending on how much time you have on your Miyajima day trip, feel free to tailor this one-day Miyajima itinerary in any way you’d like.
Things To do in 1-Day Miyajima itinerary:
Start the Miyajima itinerary with a scenic ferry ride
Meet The Friendly Deer
Itsukushima Shrine
Touch the Great Torii Gate During Low Tide
Daiganji Temple
Shop and Eat Along Omotesando Shopping Street
Taste the Fresh Oyster
Maple Leaf Pastries (Momiji Manju)
Daishoin Temple
Hike Up To The Top of Mount Misen
Toyokuni Shrine & Five-Story Pagoda
Tour To Miyajima
We visited Hiroshima on my own but if you’d like to go with a guide, then you may be interested in this Hiroshima and Miyajima guided tour. Many tours will take you to the top attractions in both Hiroshima City and Miyajima Island. Here is our recommendation.
The Miyajima itinerary start will a scenic ferry ride. A 10-minute ferry ride takes you to this divine island that is Heritage listed and one of the best sights in Japan. Take the JR ferry for no cost when you use your JR Pass.
Approaching Miyajima, our boat passed extremely close to the island’s iconic vermilion torii, which seems to float on the water during high tide. Preparing for your trip where you can start visiting the renowned gate in the ocean, ancient temples, and pagodas, and ride the cable car up the mountains for the next few hours.
Pro Tips: Sit on the right side of the ferry and you get a pretty close view of the Torii gates.
Meet The Friendly Deer
After coming out of Miyajima ferry station, you’ll be greeted by a lot of friendly welcoming deer at Miyajima nearby! There are lots of deer wandering around on the island freely, with no fear of humans.
While Nara is a fun place to see deer, we loved the deer at Miyajima Island. You’ll find most of them are very gentle, lazing under a tree, or hanging out around Omotesando Shopping Street. They are also happy to stay while you snap a selfie or two. So adorable, but be very mindful of your food and even paper! They will take a bite of it and walk off.
The deer are considered in Shinto messengers of the gods. Feel free to take your photo with them but please be respectful and don’t feed the deer in Miyajima.
Itsukushima Shrine
The most iconic place in Miyajima – Itsukushima Shrine (嚴島神社) is a must-see on your Miyajima itinerary and probably the main reason why people visit the Island. It is a gorgeous Shinto shrine and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its outstanding universal value.
Many people are queueing to visit Itsukushima Shrine, but the line moves pretty fast.
The 12th-century shrine itself is pretty amazing with its corridors featuring vermillion color is very captivating. The view is amazing and unique as the shrine will look like floating on water at high tide.
Still, I found it to be even well worth visiting during low tide.
Follow the signs, you’ll walk through the bright red corridor and pass by smaller shrine areas. You can do some prayers and offerings at several of the shrines. Take the time to walk around to observe the various aspects of the shrine. Plenty of good spots for the photo opportunity.
Spend some time marveling at the unique architecture of the Itsukushima shrine. Truly a peaceful and memorable experience.
The 52.5-foot-high, 60-ton Itsukushima-Jinja torii gate is the signal of the entrance to Itsukushima Shrine. It is one of the unique things to do in the Miyajima itinerary, to see torii, located in the middle of the water, during the high and low tides.
During high tides, the shrine and torii look like they are floating in the water. It’s a special experience to see the floating aspect!
During low tides, you’re able to walk along the wet sand, get up to the torii gate, and touch it! The 16 meters tall Miyajima Torii Gate is known as one of the largest torii gates in Japan. Many come by during low tide to make a wish before leaving a small token on (or wedged into) the Torii gate.
We didn’t plan the time and it was recedes to low tide while we were there. We could walk out to the torii gate and make a wish. What a magnificent day on this sacred Island.
Miyajima Travel Guide Tips: If you have a particularly low or high tide to see, you may check the tide schedule at the shrine entrance or from Google. But it is required to stay on Miyajima island for at least 6 hours if you plan to experience both high and low tide.
Daiganji Temple
As you exit the famed Itsukushima shrine, you will not miss this humble but beautiful Daiganji Temple. This historic temple is in charge of the upkeep and restoration of the Itsukushima shrine. The building has a beautiful authenticity and old-world charm.
We did a quick walkaround the Daiganji Temple. It is much smaller but also worth stopping by on the Miyajima itinerary.
Daiganji Temple 大願寺 Address: 3 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima. Admission Fee: Free! Getting there: A 2-min walk from the Itsukushima Shrine.
Omotesando Shopping Street
Next, continue your walk along Omotesando Shopping Street, a must-visit on your Miyajima itinerary. The bustling area is a bit of tourism, but still, it’s a fun street to browse around for food and souvenir shopping. There are many authentic Japanese food stands and restaurants to indulge in before exploring the rest of the island.
Many nicely made snacks and oyster restaurants and you can eat in the shop or pick up a snack to enjoy at the street side with the sea view. Try the momiji manju (maple leaf pastry) with custard, fried momiji manju, fried fish cake, or famous beef buns. I wished I’d had room to try all the food here!
Taste the Fresh Oyster
Miyajima is known for its fresh oysters and a must-try food in Miyajima. Winter is the best time to eat the oyster, but still, you will see many grilled oysters sold at pop-up shops and restaurants on the island all year round.
One of the famous shop in Omotesando Shopping Street is called Kakiya and probably be easily spotted with a long queue outside. We had our late lunch at Kakiya after came back from Mt Missen. We ordered the oyster set and the taste was pretty good. The Oyster set comes with grilled, fried, and all kinds of oysters, together with salad, rice, and soup. We also ordered fresh oysters. Truly an oyster feast!
Just to note, we really love the grilled oysters and I wish I have more room to eat them!
Kakiya 牡蠣屋 Address: 539 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Operating Hours: Daily from 10:00 to 18:00 Price Range: Expected spend about ¥2,000 – ¥3,000 per person
Maple Leaf Pastries (Momiji Manju)
Iwamura Momijiya
One of the icons of Miyajima is the momiji manju. It is a popular snack in Miyajima where you can found all over the island of Miyajima. These maple leaf-shaped pastries are traditionally filled with red beans but can be found in other flavors such as cheese, chocolate, or caramel.
Iwamura Momijiya is a long-established momiji manju store. The shop was founded in the late Meiji era and still keeps the traditional way of making their momiji manju. Many people buy the momiji manju from Iwamura Momijiya and bring it back home as souvenirs. The taste is good and not too sweet!
Iwamura Momijiya Address: 739-0525 Hiroshima, Hatsukaichi, Miyajimacho. Getting there: 3 minutes walk from Omotesando Shopping Street.
Hike Up To The Top of Mount Misen
Another highlight of Miyajima is the hike to the sacred Mount Misen. We recommend including Mount Misen on your Miyajima itinerary only if you plan for a hike and have time on your hands.
There are a few hiking trails option available that take you about 2 hours to the summit. But if you are not able to hike the entire evaluation, the Misen ropeway will take you to the upper station where you can walk the remaining 30 minutes uphill to the highest part of Miyajima to enjoy a panoramic view of the island and its surroundings.
From the base, we took the ropeway to the upper cable car station before continuing to hike up to the top of Mt Misen. The views from the top are beautiful and worth the trip. Go early enough as the upper observatory will close. Also, take note of the last ride down and factor in walking time to the station.
Pro Tips: A free minibus ride is available to the cable car point in case you don’t feel like walking.
Toyokuni Shrine & Five-Story Pagoda
Coming back from Mt Misen, we made our way and stopped by the Toyokuni Shrine and Five-storied Pagoda!
Perched on top of a hill, Toyokuni Shrine (thousand mataka) stands apart from the main structure of Itsukushima. You can see loads of historic wooden artworks and paintings donated by various local societies for only ¥100. We didn’t get in but only take a glance at its wooden building.
Right next to the Toyokuni Shrine is the Goju-no-to (5-storied pagoda).
The 15th-century, five-Storied Pagoda is located south of Miyajima Island. It provided splendid views and offers a good photo opportunity from its hillside location. We took a few photos with the pagoda before proceeding to the next attractions. A quick stop-over on Miyajima itinerary.
Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda Address: 1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Admission Fee: Free! But require ¥100 to see the wooden artwork.
Final Tips for Miyajima Itinerary Planning
Lastly, here is some handy useful travel tip to help you plan on the Miyajima itinerary:
Most people visit Miyajima from Hiroshima on a day trip. Getting there early as it takes about 1-hour travel from Hiroshima city. We recommended arriving before 10:00 am as it can be quite crowded at noon.
If you have a JR pass can take both the train from Hiroshima and the JR ferry from Miyajima-guchi for free with your pass. Beware of the ferry schedules back to Hiroshima if you are on a tight Miyajima itinerary.
There are many things to do in Miyajima and you will need plenty of time to explore the island. Spend a night on the island. You’ll see many more things and you’ll be more relaxed.
Miyajima is a touristy place, prices are higher compared to the city area.
The island is filled with hungry deer who are not shy about taking a bite of any food in your hand or pocket. Due to the deer on the island, there are no bins except for at the ferry terminal so bring something to carry your rubbish in as well.
Most of the restaurants and food stands are generally concentrated along Omotesando street. And generally, they are closed early! Please keep this in mind if you are planning to have dinner in the evening.
My last final tips on this Miyajima Travel Guide:
What is the best time to visit Miyajima?
The best time to visit Miyajima is during the winter months when the fresh oyster harvests. Always visit Miyajima as early as possible as it is crowded at noon, especially during the weekend.
Can you visit Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day?
It is possible to do Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day. However, some advance planning is necessary.
How much time needed for Miyajima?
Visiting Miyajima for one full day is a great way to get a taste of Miyajima and its beautiful culture. If time is limited, we strongly suggest spending at least 5 hours when visiting Miyajima.
Is Miyajima worth visiting?
Definitely Yes! Miyajima should be at the top of the list for any visit to Hiroshima. The place impressed me with its beautiful landscapes, historic shrines, and culture.
Overview: A Visit To Miyajima Island
That’s it, our 1-Day Miyajima itinerary to this enchanted island with the best sights, including its main attractions. We do hope that you find this simple and easy Miyajima travel guide blog useful. The island is so beautiful to walk around, with ancient temples to admire, and delicious food stores offering oysters and local snacks. We felt a little like we’d stepped back in time a few hundred years and easily spend an entire day here.
In short, my visit to Miyajima island was a pleasant one-day excursion and we highly recommend visiting on a day trip or spending a night there. Strolling around visiting all the shrines and temples, or hiking up to Mount Misen. Truly not to be missed!
Shirahama boasts plenty of accommodation options ranging from traditional Japanese Ryokan to modern hotels. Here is a list of Shirahama accommodation options for best places to stay in Shirahama. You’ll be able to find somewhere that suit your budget when looking for where to stay in Shirahama.
Shirahama is one of the popular beach gateway destinations in Japan, particularly for the summer holiday. It is known for its appealing mix of pristine white beaches, hot springs, and interesting rock formations with stunning sunset views. Beach lovers enjoy the beaches here, as well as those who want to see the beautiful sites that Shirahama has to offer.
When looking for where to stay in Shirahama, there are many hotels for all types of budgets and interests to choose from. Accommodation options range from luxury beach resorts, high to mid-range hotels, traditional ryokan, or budget guesthouses.
Check out this accommodation guide for where to stay in Shirahama to ensure that you will have an amazing time when visiting this spectacular beach gateway in Wakayama Prefecture.
Like most of the hot spring towns, Shirahama is filled abundance of hot springs where you can truly enjoy the natural onsen when visiting here. It is recommended to spend at least one night in Shirahama for a more relaxing trip.
To help decide where to stay in Shirahama, here is a quick guide on the city’s popular accommodation:
Pro Tips: Always look for accommodation nearby with a bus station if you are traveling to Shirahama using public transport. Else, you will not have an issue if you are getting around Shirahama with a rental car.
Nanki-Shirahama Marriott Hotel
Nanki-Shirahama Marriott Hotel is a great luxury Shirahama hotel, located only 3 minutes away from the beach. The property boasts an open-air bath and a lounge on the top floor, featuring panoramic ocean views as well as views of the sunset.
The rooms are very bright, cozy, and super clean. Some rooms feature ocean views, while others feature an en suite hot spring bath boasting the spring water of the Nanki-Shirahama hot spring, renowned as one of the Three Ancient Springs of Japan. The best place for a luxury gateway when looking for where to stay in Shirahama.
Infinito Hotel and Spa
Infinito Hotel and Spa is one of the popular luxury accommodations in Shirahama. It is located on the hilltop of Shirahama with magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.
Besides, Infinito Hotel and Spa boasts indoor/outdoor public hot-spring baths with free-flowing spring water and ocean views. Japanese and Western-style rooms are available, and the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Make sure to book with a meal plan where Kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese meal is served for dinner.
Hotel Musashi
Hotel Musashi is a popular Japanese-style accommodation in Shirahama with public onsen (public baths). The rooms are clean and spacious, featured with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and Japanese futon bedding. You can wear the cotton yukata and enjoy the hot spring bath while staying here.
The location is very convenient as it is close to the main beach and souvenir shops. It is required a 20-minute drive from JR Train Station and a free local shuttle bus is available from the station to the hotel on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Shirahama Key Terrace Hotel Seamore
If you are looking for a luxurious place to stay, Shirahama Key Terrace Hotel Seamore is an alternative. The hotel boasts an infinity onsen pool overlooking the sea with a stunning view, especially during sunset. There are also onsen facilities that overlook the bay and even rooms with amazing sea views. Guests can relax in the sauna or hot-spring baths.
Seamore Residence
Seamore Residence is another popular pick for mid-budget accommodation in Shirahama. The property is designed with a modern industrial vibe. While the rooms are comfortable, spacious, and clean. Guests can also use the common lounge and kitchen and there are clean, well-maintained, and cozy.
Seamore Residence is a separate building from the main hotel, the popular Seamore hotel which is famous for its outdoor pool overlooking the ocean. Guests can access the main hotel and could use their incredible onsen, this was an added perk!
Grampus Sea
Grampus Sea is highly recommended if you are looking for where to stay in Shirahama on mid-budget range. The location is convenient and located with a few minutes walk from the bus stop. It is also very near to the sandanbeki cliffs and easy to visit around.
Spacious room for a reasonable price. You can choose from Western style or Japanese style room. Guests can enjoy three different types of outdoor hot spring baths. Simple breakfast is free for your stay!
Shirahama no Yado Daigo
If you’re looking for affordable accommodation options in Shirahama, we highly recommended Shirahama no Yado Daigo. This place presents excellent value for money, being super convenient in the middle of town, near the bus stops, beach, and restaurants.
The ryokan is clean with a modern touch. The room is very clean and comfortable, perfect to relax in after onsen hopping in town. Plus, a simple breakfast is included for your stay.
Dormitory Sandanya Guesthouse
Dormitory Sandanya Guesthouse is the best pick if you are looking for where to stay in Shirahama on a budget. It provides a clean and comfortable stay at a cheap price. The owner is extremely friendly and accommodating.
This budget guesthouse is located right outside Sandanheki Bus Stop, 20 minutes via Meiko Bus from JR Shirahama Station. Free private parking is available on-site. An excellent value for money.
Overview: Where to Stay in Shirahama
All in all, I hope my accommodation guide to the best hotels in Shirahama has helped you find your best stay in this beach paradise.
During our visit to Shirahama, we stayed at the Grampus Sea. We chose it because of the convenience and the cheap price. Plus, our stay is featured a marvelous natural hot spring bath. It is very comfortable but can be slightly inconvenient for dining options at night. If budget is not an option, we also recommended Shirahama Key Terrace Hotel Seamore, my second option when choosing the accommodation.
