Miyajima Island
Tori Gate renovation travel caution
The Tori Gate, a major draw for the shrine complex, is currently covered in scafolding due to rennovation works. These are scheduled to continue until at least August 2020. Check before you go at the Miyajima homepage.
Part of any trip to Hiroshima includes a ferry ride to Miyajima island, which is most famous for the iconic Itsukushima Shrine. You can browse the official homepage for ideas of where to go while on the island.
Getting to the island is simple enough. Just use the JR ferry, which is free with a JR pass. Below is the route from Hiroshima station.
“When Japan” doesn’t recommend staying on the island as the hotels are very expensive, especially during the fall leaves season, for which the island is famous. If you can afford it, a walk around the island at night when most of the tourists have gone will be a great experience. But so is eating Okonomiyaki while enjoying the Hiroshima nightlife.
Treat Miyajima as something to visit if you are doing the whole tour of Hiroshima, however it is not a “must see” in Japan due to the tourists and the fact that you will probably be “templed out” by the time you get there. Especially as until at least August 2020 the Tori Gate cannot be seen from under the renovation scaffolding.
Miyajima Rope-way
The Miyajima Rope-way is an obvious choice that offers impressive 360 views. You can look out at the numerous oyster farms, which are a notable Hiroshima delicacy and fetch quite a price when in season.
You can also watch the wild deer that roam the island but mostly hang out where the tourists are for free food. Careful, they can kick!
