How to Get to Miyajima Island: Complete Transit Guide

Published: 2026-11-11 / Updated: 2026-11-11 ・ 7 min read

To get to Miyajima Island (宮島), take a train to Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅) and board a scenic 10-minute ferry across the Seto Inland Sea. The entire journey from central Hiroshima takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes, while day-trippers from Osaka or Kyoto can reach the island in around two to two and a half hours using the Shinkansen bullet train.

Known officially as Itsukushima (厳島), Miyajima is famous worldwide for the floating vermilion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社). Visiting independently by train and boat is straightforward, even for first-time visitors who do not speak or read Japanese.

Before You Start: Prerequisites and Essentials

Before setting out on your journey, make sure you have:

• An active IC card (such as Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA) loaded with at least 2,000 to 3,000 yen, or a valid rail pass covering the route.
• A small amount of Japanese yen in cash for local vending machines, street food, and minor facility fees.
• Comfortable walking shoes, as motor vehicles are restricted for tourists on the island.

You can verify major rail routes and schedule updates through JR West and find general destination advice via the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The Gateway: Getting from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi

Almost every journey to Miyajima funnels through Miyajimaguchi, the mainland port town directly facing the island. You have two main rail options from Hiroshima City to the ferry terminal.

Option 1: The JR Sanyo Line (Fastest Route)

For most travelers, the local JR train offers the fastest and most seamless option.

1. Boarding Station: Start at JR Hiroshima Station (広島駅).
2. Train Line: Board a local or rapid train on the JR Sanyo Line (山陽本線) bound for Iwakuni (岩国) or Miyajimaguchi.
3. Arrival: Get off at JR Miyajimaguchi Station (JR宮島口駅).
4. Travel Time: Roughly 25 to 30 minutes.
5. Cost: Around 420 yen one way.

This route is completely covered by nationwide Japan Rail Passes and regional JR West rail passes. Digital signage and automated announcements are available in both Japanese and English.

Option 2: The Hiroden Streetcar (Scenic, Budget Route)

Hiroshima Electric Railway, known locally as Hiroden (広電), operates streetcars throughout the city.

1. Boarding Station: Board Hiroden Line 2 (Red Line) from Hiroshima Station, Hatchobori, or near the Peace Memorial Park.
2. Arrival: Ride the tram all the way to its terminal terminus at Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi Station (広電宮島口駅).
3. Travel Time: Roughly 55 to 70 minutes depending on street traffic.
4. Cost: Around 270 yen one way.

While slower than the JR train, the streetcar is convenient if your accommodation sits directly along the tram line and you prefer a leisurely ride through suburban Hiroshima.

The Crossing: Taking the Ferry to Miyajima

Once you arrive at either JR Miyajimaguchi Station or Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi Station, follow the clear English directional signs towards the ferry terminal. The walk from the JR station takes about three to five minutes down an underground pedestrian walkway, while the Hiroden terminal sits directly adjacent to the ferry piers.

Two ferry companies operate side-by-side:

1. JR West Miyajima Ferry (JR西日本宮島フェリー)

• Best for: JR Pass holders and sightseers.
• Route Perk: During daylight hours (typically between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM), outward-bound boats take a deliberate detour closer to the floating torii gate, offering excellent photo opportunities from the water.
• Fare: Around 200 yen one way for adults (plus visitor tax). Covered by the nationwide JR Pass and eligible JR West passes.

2. Miyajima Matsudai Kisen (宮島松大汽船)

• Best for: Travelers using regional Hiroden tourist passes.
• Route Perk: Operates the most direct, straight path between the mainland and island.
• Fare: Around 200 yen one way for adults (plus visitor tax). Covered by certain Hiroden combined day tickets.

The Miyajima Visitor Tax

All travelers entering Miyajima Island are subject to a mandatory local tourist tax (Miyajima Visitor Tax), which is roughly 100 yen per person. If you purchase an individual paper ticket, this tax is usually added automatically at the ticket vending machine. If you are using an IC card or a rail pass, you will pay the fee via the ticket gate or designated counter before boarding.

Both ferry lines run frequently, typically departing every 10 to 15 minutes during the day. Advance reservations are neither required nor offered for walk-on passengers; simply tap your IC card or show your pass at the gate.

Direct Option: The Peace Memorial Park Aqua Net Boat

If you prefer to bypass trains and stations altogether, a private high-speed boat service connects the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park directly with Miyajima Pier.

• Boarding Point: Motoyasu Pier, located right next to the Atomic Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム).
• Arrival Point: Miyajima Pier.
• Travel Time: Roughly 45 minutes each way.
• Cost: Around 2,200 to 2,500 yen one way (significantly more expensive than rail and standard ferry).

This boat navigates down the river and out into the open bay. Note that river tides can cause occasional cancellations or delays, and standard train passes do not apply.

Day Trips from Osaka and Kyoto

Miyajima is an achievable day trip from the Kansai region if you make use of the Sanyo Shinkansen.

From Shin-Osaka Station

1. Board a Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train (such as the Nozomi, Mizuho, or Sakura) from Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅) to Hiroshima Station. Travel time is roughly 85 minutes.
2. Transfer at Hiroshima Station to the local JR Sanyo Line heading toward Miyajimaguchi (around 30 minutes).
3. Board the JR West Ferry to Miyajima Pier (roughly 10 minutes).

• Total Journey Time: Approximately 2 hours to 2 hours and 15 minutes.

From Kyoto Station

1. Board a direct Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Kyoto Station (京都駅) to Hiroshima Station, or take a bullet train to Shin-Osaka and transfer to a westbound departure. Travel time on the train is roughly 100 to 110 minutes.
2. Transfer to the JR Sanyo Line at Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi.
3. Catch the ferry to the island.

• Total Journey Time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Navigating the Island: Arrival and Return

When stepping off the ferry at Miyajima Pier (宮島桟橋), you are within easy walking distance of the island’s primary attractions.

• Itsukushima Shrine: Roughly a 10-minute walk along the coastal promenade.
• Omotesando Shopping Street (表参道商店街): Runs parallel to the waterfront, filled with shops selling freshly grilled oysters and maple leaf-shaped pastries (momiji manju).
• Mount Misen Ropeway (弥山ロープウェイ): Roughly a 20- to 25-minute walk to the lower ropeway station in Momijidani Park, or accessible via a small shuttle bus.

Managing the Wild Deer

Free-roaming sika deer inhabit the town area around the pier and shrine. Unlike the deer in Nara, feeding the deer on Miyajima is strictly prohibited by local regulations to protect their natural feeding habits. Keep paper maps, rail tickets, and food packaging secured inside bags, as deer will readily nibble on loose items.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the Tides: Itsukushima Shrine's torii gate looks like it is floating on water only during high tide. At low tide, the sea recedes completely, allowing visitors to walk across the mudflats directly to the base of the gate. Check local tide tables online before choosing your departure time so you see the state of the tide you prefer.
• Missing the Last Ferry: While ferries run late into the evening, train connections thin out at night. If you are returning to Osaka or Kyoto on the same day, aim to be back at Hiroshima Station no later than early evening to catch your reserved bullet train.
• Carrying Heavy Luggage: The ferries allow luggage, but moving wheeled suitcases along the stone paths and crowded shopping streets of Miyajima is cumbersome. Use the coin lockers located inside JR Hiroshima Station or JR Miyajimaguchi Station to store large suitcases before boarding the boat.

FAQ

Q. Does the Japan Rail Pass cover the ferry to Miyajima?

A. The standard JR Pass and several regional JR West passes cover the JR West Miyajima Ferry, though visitors must pay a small local tourist tax.

Q. How long does the ferry ride to Miyajima take?

A. The ferry crossing from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima Pier takes roughly 10 minutes across the Seto Inland Sea.

Q. Can you visit Miyajima as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto?

A. Yes, taking an early morning Shinkansen allows travelers to explore Miyajima and return comfortably the same evening.