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Two Nights on Miyajima Island

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This is a continuation of my Japan/China trip report. See also Back from China and Japan Trip! 5 Takeaways, Worth it: JAL Premium Economy Award Seats, Better Than Expected: AA Premium Economy Shanghai PVG to DFW, Hits and Misses from our day at Tokyo DisneySea, Take this Line and Shove It (Literally): Shanghai Disneyland Hits and Misses, Dormy Inn Shibuya Jingumae Hot Spring in Tokyo, Highlights of our Tokyo Shenanigans, Surprise Upgrade at Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay, Our Machiya Rental in Kyoto, The Deer Really Do Bow! Day Trip to Nara, Japan, Highlights of our time in Kyoto, Japaan, Was Universal Studios Japan Worth the Time and Money?, Two Nights on Miyajama Island (this post)

On our summer trip to Japan and China, my daughter and I extended our time in Japan by spending two nights on Miyajima Island. We had a great experience!

Getting to Miyajima

From Kyoto, we took a bullet train to Hiroshima. At the train station, we took an Uber to Peace Park. We spent some time wandering around Peace Park, where the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945.

The image shows the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, also known as the Atomic Bomb Dome, a partially preserved building with a skeletal dome structure on top. It is surrounded by greenery and a river in the foreground. People are walking along a path near the building. A modern building is visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima

The ferry to Miyajima is very close to the A-Bomb dome.

The image shows a riverside ferry terminal with a sign indicating "To Miyajima." There are several people near a ticket booth, including a person in a blue jacket and another looking at a timetable. The river is lined with trees and buildings, and a bridge is visible in the background. The scene appears to be in an urban area with a mix of modern and older architecture.
Ferry to Miyajima

The ferry ride was around 45 minutes.

The image shows a river with a boat traveling along it. The riverbank is lined with green trees and there are buildings visible in the background. In the foreground, there is a dock with some equipment and chairs. The sky is overcast.

Hotel Miyajima Villa

I booked two nights at Hotel Miyajima Villa on Hotels.com (affiliate link). It’s located right across the street from the ferry terminals on Miyajima Island.

The image shows a multi-story building with a traditional architectural style, featuring wide eaves and a symmetrical facade. The building has several balconies and large windows. In front of the building, there are a few small trees and a sidewalk. A sign on the building reads "SHIMAUMA BAKERY." The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day.

The hotel has a lovely outside garden in the back:

The image shows an outdoor seating area with two hanging wicker egg chairs, each with a cushion inside. There is a large green umbrella providing shade. In front of the chairs, there are two small wicker tables and two wicker chairs with white cushions. The area is surrounded by trees and greenery, creating a natural and relaxing atmosphere.

Breakfast was included in our rate. The buffet was quite large, and some seats had garden views:

The image shows a group of people sitting at a long wooden table in a modern indoor setting. They are seated on orange chairs, facing a large window with a view of a lush vertical garden filled with various green plants. The room has wooden flooring and a ceiling with exposed beams. A clock and a framed picture are visible on the wall. The atmosphere appears to be calm and relaxed.

Behind the lobby is a lounge with free ice cream and drinks. We took advantage of this a lot!

The image shows the interior of a freezer with a glass lid, containing several small containers of ice cream. The containers have labels with text and images, and they are stacked neatly inside the freezer. The interior walls of the freezer have a frosty appearance.
Ice cream
The image shows a beverage station with three machines. On the left is a water dispenser with a large water jug on top, labeled "Aqua Clara," offering hot and cold water options. In the middle is a coffee machine with various selection buttons. On the right is a Pepsi-branded soda fountain with multiple drink options. Below the machines, there are trays for cups and a trash can labeled in both Japanese and English.
Drinks

A staff member’s mother made some origami to share:

A basket filled with colorful origami cranes is displayed in the foreground. Above the basket, there is a sign with text in both Japanese and English. The English text explains that the origami cranes were handmade by the mother of a staff member and invites visitors to take one home as a symbol of peace and goodwill. The background features an image of more origami cranes.

Our room was quite large. The entry hallway with the bathroom included a door that separated the bedroom:

The image shows a small entryway area with wooden flooring. There is a mat on the floor with a pair of black slippers on it. To the right, there is a wooden shelf with two pairs of white slippers. On the left, there is a sink with a towel hanging above it, and shelves underneath containing more towels and a basket. A trash bin is placed next to the sink.

The image shows a modern hotel room with wooden flooring. There is a bed with white bedding on the left side. A flat-screen TV is placed on a wooden stand in front of the bed. Large windows with grid-like frames allow natural light to enter the room. On the right, there is a luggage rack with hangers, a suitcase, and a backpack. A full-length mirror is also visible on the right wall.
The bedroom

The image shows a hotel room with two single beds. Each bed has white bedding and a yellow pillow. The headboard is made of light wood, and there is a piece of artwork above it depicting a sunset over the ocean. The room has wooden flooring and a minimalist design.

The image shows a small, minimalist room with a wooden floor. There is a blue cushioned bench with two gray pillows against a wooden partition. A flat-screen TV is mounted on the partition. To the right, there is a large window with a grid pattern, and a small round wooden side table is placed near the window. The room has a clean and simple design.
Sitting area

View from our window:

The image shows a view through a window, looking out onto a parking lot with several cars parked. Beyond the parking lot, there are trees and a body of water, possibly a lake or sea, with mountains visible in the distance. The sky is clear and sunny. The window has vertical blinds, and the interior appears to be part of a building with wooden frames.

The hotel also has an onsen spa on the top floor with water views. However, no bathing suits were allowed, so I didn’t go. This hotel was a splurge at around $350/night. But, it was really quite lovely, and hard to beat the location.

Itsukushima Shrine and Floating Torii Gate

Miyajima is most famous for its “floating torii gate”, which is part of Itsukushima Shrine. My daughter and I visited this attraction four times during our tw0-night stay on Miyajima.

The island is very walkable. It was a pleasant 10-15-minute stroll from our hotel to the shrine along the water.

A scenic view of a sandy beach with gentle waves lapping at the shore. In the background, lush green mountains rise under a partly cloudy sky. A red torii gate stands in the water near the shoreline, and people are walking along the beach and near the trees. A traditional building with a tiled roof is partially visible on the left.

A few shopping/restaurant streets:

A bustling outdoor market street with many people walking in both directions. The street is covered with fabric canopies providing shade. Shops line both sides, displaying various goods and signs with Japanese characters. The atmosphere is lively and crowded.

There are deer everywhere.

A young woman is standing on a paved path, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black and white striped shirt, black shorts, and white sneakers, with a sweater tied around her waist and a crossbody bag. Next to her, a deer is grazing near a metal grate. The background features trees, a stone wall, and a few people walking in the distance.

Two deer are standing on a stone path near a tree-lined area. In the background, there are mountains and a stone wall. The sky is clear, suggesting it is either early morning or late afternoon.

a deer lying on rocks

We went to the shrine twice each day to see it at low tide and high tide. At high tide, it appears to be floating in the water.

A selfie of two people smiling in front of a large red torii gate standing in the water. The background features a clear sky and distant mountains.

During the day, Miyajima is very crowded with day-trippers. But later in the day, it empties out. We returned to the shrine each evening at sunset when the tide was low. It was spectacular and scenic.

The image shows a scenic view of a large torii gate standing in the water during low tide, with a group of people walking towards it. The sun is setting behind the mountains in the background, casting a warm glow over the scene. The foreground features wet sand with reflections of the sunlight.

A large, traditional Japanese torii gate stands prominently on a sandy beach with a backdrop of green hills and a clear blue sky. The gate is painted bright orange with black and gold accents. People are walking around the area, and there are small puddles on the sand, suggesting a recent low tide.

After the sun sets, there is almost nobody at the torii gate.


The image shows the iconic "floating" torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, Japan. The large red gate stands on the sandy beach with water and mountains in the background. The sky is filled with soft clouds and the sun is setting, creating a serene and picturesque scene. A few people are walking nearby, adding a sense of scale to the structure.

 

 

On our second evening, we bought dinner from the local convenience store and sat down on benches to watch the sunset by the torii gate. As we were eating, a deer snuck up behind us and grabbed the bag with our food. Sneaky! Beware of the deer if you have food.

The island is so peaceful at night. It felt like it was just the two of us and some deer.

A deer is walking down an empty street lined with closed shops. The street is illuminated by red lanterns hanging from the buildings, and the sky is a soft blue, suggesting early morning or evening.

Originally, we had planned to stay a few nights in Hiroshima and visit Miyajima during the day. But, Leana talked me into staying overnight on the island, and I’m so glad I listened to her.

Miyajima Ropeway

On our second day on Miyajima, we walked to Miyajima Ropeway in the morning. I wanted to see some views and hike to the top of Mt. Misen.

A long wooden boat is on the water, carrying a group of people. Most of the passengers are wearing traditional straw hats. Two individuals in purple clothing are standing at either end of the boat, possibly guiding or steering it. The background shows a distant shoreline with buildings and hills.
Tourists off the shore
A serene scene featuring a traditional red wooden bridge with black accents, surrounded by lush green trees. The bridge crosses over a small stream or path, and a person is visible in the distance walking across it. The area is shaded by the dense foliage, creating a peaceful, natural atmosphere.
Path to the ropeway

The ropeway has two gondolas, and you must take both to get to the top. The first gondola:

The image shows a green cable car suspended on a cableway, moving through a lush, green forested area. The cable car is attached to a metal support structure, and the background features a clear blue sky and tree-covered hills.

A scenic view from a cable car overlooking a lush green forest. The cable car lines stretch across the image, leading towards a distant cityscape by a body of water. In the background, there are mountains under a clear blue sky.

This gondola ends at a station, where you walk up some stairs and board the second gondola:

A cable car is suspended in the air, carrying passengers. It is part of the Miyajima Ropeway, as indicated by the text on the car. The background features a scenic view of the ocean and distant islands under a clear blue sky. The landscape below includes lush green hills.

The views at the top did not disappoint!

A scenic view of a coastal landscape featuring lush green hills in the foreground and a vast expanse of water dotted with small islands. The horizon shows a range of distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

But the gondola doesn’t take you to the top of Mt. Misen. From the station, you have to hike a dirt path with lots of stairs to the top. The signs said the hike was 45 minutes to the top. But it took us twice as long. Or, maybe it just felt that way. There are shrines along the way:

A traditional Japanese temple with a multi-tiered roof is surrounded by lush green trees. In front of the temple, several people are walking on a sandy area. A deer is also present, standing near the people. The scene is peaceful and sunny.

Almost there:

A scenic view from a rocky hilltop overlooking a vast body of water with several small islands in the distance. The foreground features large boulders and a few people walking and exploring the area. The background shows a clear blue sky and distant mountains.

Finally, the viewing platform at the top!

A modern, angular building with a sloped roof and two levels of observation decks. People are gathered on both levels, with some wearing bright yellow vests. The structure is elevated, surrounded by trees, and set against a clear blue sky. A few individuals are walking towards the building on a sandy path.

Warning: there is no water available along the hike or at the top. Bring plenty with you.

I’m glad we did the hike, even though it was exhausting. I’m thankful that my health allows me to do stuff like that. However, I thought the view from the top of the gondola was just as pretty. So, if you don’t have the time or energy for the hike, just enjoy the view from the top gondola station.

When we were going back down, the lines for the gondola were very, very long. I’m glad we went first thing in the morning.

Overall Thoughts

Staying overnight on Miyajima Island was at the top of my best experiences in Japan. I’d love to return with my husband in the future.

Author: Nancy

Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.

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