From Hiroshima: Miyajima Island Day Trip with Ropeway Ride

Embark on a full-day tour of Miyajima and explore the island's beautiful shrines and temples, abundant nature, and local delicacies. Take in the beauty of the entire island on the ropeway to the top of Mt. Misen and the hike to the summit.

Start your day at Hiroshima Station, where you will meet your guide. Travel by train and ferry to Miyajima, and learn about the island's history and culture from your guide.

Visit the Senjokaku Pavilion, a shrine whose construction was never completed and still remains unfinished to this day. Next, make your way to the Itsukushima Shrine. Your guide will provide insights about Shintoism, Japan's indigenous religion, and the history of the shrine.

As you make your way through the temple, observe the different worship halls, the unique architecture of the “floating shrine,” and the iconic O-torii gate located in the Seto Inland Sea.

Your guide will then lead you on a walk to the Daisho-in temple, a prestigious Shingon Buddhist temple located not too far from Itsukushima Shrine. Throughout the temple grounds you will be able to observe a myriad of Buddhist figures, with different statues greeting you anywhere you go.

Next, visit the Omotesando Shopping Street, lined with multiple shops and restaurants. Here, you will enjoy around two hours of free time in which you will be able to have lunch and purchase souvenirs or other goods.

The last main destination of the tour is Mount Misen, the highest point of Miyajima. Together with your guide, you will ride the Miyajima Ropeway all the way to the top of the mountain. Inside the cabin of the ropeway, you will be able to enjoy marvelous aerial views of the island.

Once at the top, you will have the option of staying behind at the Shishiiwa Observatory next to the ropeway station or making the trek to the Mt. Misen Observatory at the summit. This hike is a steep and arduous walk towards the summit, but the magnificent view from the top with no obstructions whatsoever is most certainly worth it.

Take the ropeway on the way down and make your way back to the pier. On this final walk, there will be opportunities for some last-minute souvenir purchases, as well as photos.

A Miyajima trip is not complete without walking up to the O-torii gate during low-tide. However, due to how much the tide can vary from one day to another, your tour guide will do their best to schedule a guided walk towards the gate at the most appropriate moment during the tour.

Once you arrive back at the pier, your guide will accompany you on the ferry back to the mainland and one last train ride, with the tour ending at Hiroshima Station.