What to See in Miyajima Island: Complete Visitor Guide

Most visitors come to Miyajima Island for the floating torii gate — but there’s a full island worth exploring beyond that single shot. As part of the Hiroshima Miyajima tour, you’ll have free time on the island to wander beyond the main shrine area. This guide covers the highlights in order of accessibility during a standard day visit.

1. Itsukushima Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage)

The shrine itself is the centrepiece of the island — a 6th-century structure built on stilts over the sea. At high tide, the entire complex appears to float on Hiroshima Bay alongside the iconic torii gate.

Inside the shrine grounds:

• The covered corridors (heiden, honden) arc across the water
• The Noh theatre stage is one of the oldest in Japan
• Multiple smaller shrines and lanterns line the walkways

The shrine entrance fee is included in the featured tour ($119). Walk through slowly — the building sequence was deliberately designed to build from approach to reveal.

2. The Friendly Deer of Miyajima

Miyajima’s deer are arguably as well-known as the shrine. Hundreds of sika deer roam freely across the island, including through the shrine grounds, the shopping street, and the ferry terminal area. They’re unafraid of visitors — and occasionally bold about sniffing bags for food.

Feeding the deer is officially discouraged, but they’ll approach on their own regardless. Keep bags zipped and food out of sight if you don’t want attention.

3. Daisho-in Temple

A 10-minute walk up from Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in is one of the most atmospheric temple complexes in western Japan. Unlike the shrine below, it’s rarely crowded and virtually unchanged in character despite the tourist traffic on the rest of the island.

Highlights at Daisho-in:

• 500 stone Rakan statues lining the approach paths — each with a different expression and often dressed in hand-knitted caps by devotees
• Maniden Hall with its gilded interior
• Prayer wheels along the main staircase — each rotation is said to equal reading the sutra once
• Quiet courtyards with moss gardens and incense

Most visitors spend 20–30 minutes here. Worth including if you have time during free island exploration.

4. Mount Misen (Optional — Full or Half Day Extension)

At 535 metres, Mount Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima and offers panoramic views across the Seto Inland Sea. You can reach the summit by ropeway (two stages) plus a 30-minute hike, or by hiking the full trail from the base.

Round-trip pricing and operating hours vary — check miyajima-ropeway.info before your visit as it closes periodically for maintenance.

Realistic note: Mount Misen is a meaningful detour that adds 1.5–3 hours to your island time depending on the route. It’s not feasible within the standard 2–2.5 hour island window of the guided tour. Plan for it as a separate extension if it interests you.

5. Omotesando Shopping Street

The main shopping street running from the ferry terminal toward Itsukushima Shrine is lined with food stalls, souvenir shops, and restaurants. It’s touristy but genuinely enjoyable for a slow walk.

Things to try or buy:

Oysters are a point of local pride: Hiroshima Prefecture is Japan’s largest oyster-producing region, and Miyajima street vendors are a direct way to try them fresh.

Practical Tips

• Ferry crossing: 10 minutes from Miyajimaguchi. The JR Miyajima Ferry is covered by JR Pass; the competing Matsudai Kisen Ferry is not. Both serve the same pier.
• Duration on island: Allow 2–3 hours minimum for the shrine, deer, and Daisho-in. Add 1.5+ hours for Mount Misen.
• Footwear: Flat shoes recommended — temple paths are uneven stone.
• Luggage: You can store bags in coin lockers near the ferry terminal. The guided tour allows luggage in the bus trunk.

Ready to Book?

The Hiroshima Miyajima tour includes round-trip ferry to Miyajima with free island exploration time — rated 4.9/5 by 2,606 guests. Two UNESCO sites in one 8-hour day from $119 per person, free cancellation.