Destination guide
Miyajima
Japan
Miyajima (宮島) is one of the crown jewels of Japan, and certainly one of its finest views. Located off the coast of Hiroshima, in Hiroshima Prefecture, the serene beauty of the island is an essential coda to that city.
AI insights
Local-ledAI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and mostly LOCAL creators' videos on this page
If you have the stamina for a more challenging trek to Mt. Misen, choose the Omoto Pass trail starting near the aquarium instead of the ropeway; it is a distinct, more strenuous route that rewards hikers with a different perspective of the island's landscape.
Visit the Daisho-in temple to escape the heavy foot traffic of the main shrine; it is tucked into the hills and offers a more intimate experience with unique features like the Henjokutsu Cave and golden prayer wheels.
If you are staying overnight at the Tsutsumigaura campsite, keep all food secured inside; the local deer are bold and will scavenge through tents if left unattended.
Plan your dining strategy before heading to the Miyajima Brewery, as they only serve small snacks; eat a full meal elsewhere before settling in for a beer in their courtyard.
While Momijidani Park is famous for its autumn colors and houses the ropeway station, explore the smaller, quieter temples tucked away along the park's paths to find a peaceful reprieve from the crowds gathered near the transit hub.
How we vet these picks
Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
【厳島神社】宮島の人気観光名所5ヶ所、日帰り旅行チャレンジ！【宮島フェリー・松大汽船/宮島ロープウェイ・獅子岩展望台/大鳥居】
48 hours spent in Hiroshima & Miyajima | What to do, Local Food, Temples & Cafes | Japan Travel VLOG
【広島観光】宮島行く人必見！地元民オススメの宮島食べ歩きグルメ7選！
THE MOST MAGICAL ISLAND IN JAPAN | Miyajima Travel Guide
【宮島観光】これを知っておくと宮島観光が、100倍楽しくなります！
Most scenic place in JAPAN | Day trip to Miyajima | Travel vlog
【広島/宮島観光】地元民がオススメする宮島の自然を楽しめる観光コース！
【宮島】来たら絶対に見るべき！宮島の人気観光スポットを簡単にご紹介【広島観光】
Best time to go
Best window: October–November
July and August are the months to avoid — very heavy rain. The window below is when it is genuinely pleasant.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
Getting around
Miyajima is small enough to cover by foot, and there are English-language signs throughout the island. Taxis can be taken from the pier to the hotels and residential areas, but not the tourist sights.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Itsukushima Shrine
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet and 1 other
1-1 Miyajima-Cho
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Itsukushima is a large, red-lacquered complex of halls and pathways on stilts. It was built this way so that commoners could visit without defiling the island with their footprints.
Vetted sources
Itsukushima Shrine Torii Gate
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet and 1 other
The vermilion gate appears to float on the sea at high tide, its 16-metre pillars framed against forested hills behind.
Vetted sources
Daisho-in
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
210, Miyajima-cho· Free
Because it's nestled into the hills, this Buddhist temple is easily missed by tourists, but it features several interesting sights and a welcome respite from the crowds.
Vetted sources
Daisho-in Temple
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Spin the brass prayer wheels lining the entrance stairway and duck into a pitch-dark basement cave lit only by lanterns beneath 88 mini Buddhist images.
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Miyajima History and Folklore Museum
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Wander a preserved 19th-century merchant house and garden that explains how Edo-period trade shaped the island.
Vetted sources
Wild deer on the sando
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Tame sika deer wander the shrine approach by day and bed down along the walking paths by night, a sight that has startled visitors for centuries.
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Miyajima Public Aquarium
10-3 Miyajima-cho
A collection of more than 380 sea creatures and daily animal events such as sea lion shows and photo opportunities with penguins. It's worth a stop if you have restless kids in tow — about a 20-minute walk from the pier.
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Senjokaku
1-1 Miyajima-cho
This huge wooden pavilion is called the 'Sentamikaku' because it is the size of 857 tatami mats. There is actually nothing but empty space in this huge wooden building.
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Miyao Castle
5 min from Miyajima pier
A hill fort built in the early 16th century, it was a key focus of the 1555 Battle of Miyajima as part of the Mōri army’s offensive against Sue Harukata.
Vetted sources
What to do
Mt. Misen
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet and 1 other
530 meters
If you have energy to spare, Mt. Misen offers gorgeous views of the island and sea. The hike takes about an hour, depending on rest stops along the way. Look for the signs for the ropeway, and when you reach it, just keep going.
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Mount Misen
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet and 1 other
Ride the two-stage ropeway then hike 30 minutes through primeval forest to an observatory with sweeping views over the Seto Inland Sea.
Vetted sources
Momijidani Park
The ropeway station is in the middle of Momijidani Park, but the park is worth a stroll even if you're not headed up. Known for its autumn colors, there are quite a few quiet little temples to explore along the way, and many of the…
Vetted sources
What to eat
Yakigaki no Hayashi
Worth itAlso recommended by Japan Guide
Order plump three-year-grown Hiroshima Bay oysters grilled right at your table, a specialty this restaurant is known for on the island.
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Momijido
Worth itAlso recommended by Japan Guide
Try age-momiji, the deep-fried version of the maple-leaf-shaped sponge cake that this shop pioneered in 2001.
Vetted sources
Mametanuki
Worth itAlso recommended by Japan Guide
One of the few restaurants open past 5pm on the island, serving grilled anago sea eel and oysters alongside Hiroshima wagyu.
Vetted sources
Miyajima Brewery
459-2 Miyajima-cho
Outdoor bar offering a selection of locally-brewed beers from Miyajima Brewery. Only small snacks are on offer, so plan to eat elsewhere before enjoying your beer at a standing table in the courtyard behind the bar.
Vetted sources
Kakiya
539 Miyajima-cho
Restaurant specializing in oysters and only oysters. The Kakiya set offers a selection of seven traditional oyster dishes and is highly recommended.
Vetted sources
les Clos
527-1 Miyajima-cho
Western European restaurant and café in a renovated 1912 mansion.
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Where to stay
Momiji-so
Worth itAlso recommended by Japan Guide
Momijidani Park
Five Japanese-style rooms with only basic amenities but lovely forest views and a restaurant with nice outdoor seating.
Vetted sources
Kokuminshukusha Miyajima Mori-no-Yado
about a 25-minute walk or 10-minute cab ride, next to Miyajima Marine Plaza
Provides Japanese and Western style rooms with private toilets and shared baths. More western style feel overall, a restaurant is on site providing Japanese food, a public bath, gift shop, and conference center.
Vetted sources
Kikugawa Guest House
From the ferry terminal, go straight and through the tunnel. At the end, turn right and you will see "Guest House Kikugawa". 3-minute walk.
An older building with eight Western and Japanese-style rooms and private baths. A restaurant is on-site, providing Setouchi dinner, which mixes Japanese and European traditions. English spoken, parking available. Credit cards accepted.
Vetted sources
The cabin and tent site at Tsutsumigaura Inlet
a bus travels from Miyajima Pier to the campground, 10-minute ride,; from morning until 18:00 which costs ¥300
This is a nice campsite on Tsutsumigaura Beach, about 4 km from the harbour. Cabins and outdoor grills are available. Local deer walk freely around the campsite, so don't leave food in your tent while you are away!
Vetted sources
Hotel New Kotobuki
Five minute walk from Miyajima Pier.
A very casual Japanese-style inn with shared showers and some private bathrooms. A hostel experience more than a ryokan/Japanese formal inn experience. A restaurant is on site, serving Japanese dinner and breakfast.
Vetted sources
Miya-rikyu
849 Miyajima-cho
A large, mostly Japanese-style hotel, but a few comparatively dingy Western-style rooms are available. Rooms have private baths, but two impressive public baths with views alternate between genders from morning to afternoon.
Vetted sources
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.