How to get to Miyajima by a train and a ferry. The JR Pass and the JR West Passes cover the trip fully.

Ferries
JR ferry will show you Itsukushima shrine.
2020.07.09
Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima
Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima

Miyajima is one of the World Heritage sites in Japan, and also this is called one of “Three Views in Japan” with Matsushima and Amanohashidate.

You can access to Miyajima by Japan Rail Pass with no extra charge. But you have to take a local train and Ferry. I will explain the access to Miyajima with some images in this article.

Access to Hiroshima by the Shinkansen

N700 series will be used as Mizuho and Sakura.
Mizuho and Sakura on the Sanyo Shinkansen is the best way to get to Hiroshima.

Take the Shinkansen to get to Hiroshima. There are several kinds of trains on Sanyo Shinkansen, but all Shinkansen trains stop at Hiroshima.

After get off the Shinkansen train at Hiroshima, move to platform 1.

The Sanyo Line local train bound for Miyajima-guchi and Iwakuni depart from this platform usually. You will see the sign for Miyajima and find the platform very easily.

The signage of the departure track for Miyajima

A local train operates every 15 minutes in daytime, 10 minutes in peak time. So even if you miss a train, next one comes up shortly.

Take a local train to get to Miyajimaguchi. Miyajimaguchi is 9th station from Hiroshima. A travel time is about 30 minutes.

Please refer Hiroshima station guide to get some more information in the link below:

Hiroshima station guide. How to change the trains, Shinkansen and local train to Miyajima. How to catch tram and loop bus Meipuru-pu.
Hiroshima is one of most popular places to visit in Japan. Many of you use Hiroshima station to visit not only Hiros...
jprail.com
2016.10.09

At Miyajimaguchi station

Miyajimaguchi is the gateway for Miyajima. You have to change a train and a ferry at Miyajimaguchi.

Miyajimaguchi station is a small station. There are only two platforms and three tracks. Usually a train from Hiroshima arrives at the platform with the station building. You can exit a station through this building.

At the platform for the track #1 in Miyajimaguchi station

After exiting the station, you will find the ferry port building at the end of the street. Just go down this street to the end. It is only 3 minutes away.

You will see the ferry terminal from the Miyajima-guchi station. It’s just steps away!

You will find many signage on the way even though it is super easy.

Enter the underground path because there is no crosswalks.
The entrance of the underground path
The inside underground path

At the ferry port

There are two ferry services for Miyajima. You have to take JR Ferry if you use the JR Pass, the Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and other JR West Rail Passes.

Two ferry services to Miyajima. Follow the sign for JR Ferry. It’s right side in the photo above.

The ferry service runs every 10 to 15 minutes.

Ferry to Miyajima is a small ferry. Only 10 minutes cruise.

It is very short cruise to Miyajima. It takes only 10 minutes. The famus Big Torii Gate of Itukushima Shrine is usually on your right side.

The ferry usually goes by the Itsukushima shrine.
The interior of the ferry to Miyajima

After arrival in the Miyajima port, just get off a ferry and go through the building.

Walkway from the dock to the Miyajima port building
The shrine can be seen from the dock in the distance.
Information center at Miyajima ferry terminal. You can get English and other languages map here.
The Miyajima port building

Access to the Itsukushima shrine

Miyajima is a small island. You can access to the world famous Itsukushia shrine on foot from the ferry terminal.

Just walk by the sea
There are lots of suvenior shops and restaurants on the way.
The big torii gate comes up in 10 to 15 minutes
When a tide is low, you can walk on the beach.

The last word

Miyajima is very easy to access and it is definitely worth visiting.

Actually you can visit both Hiroshima and Miyajima by a day trip from Osaka. If you have very tight schedule but want to visit there, consider this option. Please find the link below to find the sample itinerary:

Sample itinerary of day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka/Kyoto
You can visit Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka or Kyoto as day trip. It seems to be far but it is feasible. This post explains you how to manage day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka.
jprail.com
2014.11.03

Hope this post will help you build your trip plan to Miyajima.

Comments

  1. Wendy says:
    May 15, 2017 at 11:08 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    My husband and I are visiting Japan for our anniversary in July 2017. We will be purchasing the 7 day JR Pass so that we can travel to Tokyo –> Kyoto –> Hiroshima & back to Tokyo by shinkansen. What is the best route to accomplish this? Or which shinkansen “line” do we need to take?

    I really appreciate any help you can offer.
    Thank you so much,
    Wendy

  2. Maria says:
    January 27, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    Hello!

    For this part “After get off Shinkansen at Hiroshima, move to platform 1, Sanyo Line bound for Miyajima-guchi and Iwakuni.”, do we Jr 7 day pass holders need to buy another ticket? and if yes which one?

    Thank you!

  3. Miriam says:
    January 17, 2017 at 5:07 am

    Hi! We’re travelling to Miyajima by Shinkansen Nozomi without a JRPass. Once in Hiroshima we’re visiting the Genbaku Dome on the way, so we’re getting to Miyajimaguchi by Dentetsu. Do we have to buy a ferry ticket or can we use the Shinkansen ticket?
    Thanks in advance!

  4. Maya says:
    December 29, 2016 at 3:04 am

    hi! Are the details mentioned from your sample itinerary still applicable to use today? We are travelling from Kyoto to Hiroshima tomorrow via jrpass and I will be following the instructions you have listed.

  5. Yvean says:
    December 9, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    Hi,
    I will be visiting Japan on 24th December till 1st January and will be arriving at night. My itinerary are as follow:

    Fukuoka
    Fukuoka – Hiroshima
    Hiroshimna – Miyajima – Hiroshima
    Hiroshima – Nagoya
    Nagoya – Takayama – Shirakawa – Nagoya
    Nagoya – Nagoya Airport

    I am wondering,
    1) Will it be fine if I use the 7-Day JR Pass?

    2) The JR Ferry to Miyajima & the Hiroshima Meipuru-pu is covered under JR Pass right?

    3) Can I travel directly to Shirakawa from Nagoya Station?

    Thanks!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 9, 2016 at 9:30 pm

      Hi Yvean,

      1) Will it be fine if I use the 7-Day JR Pass?
      Yes.

      2) The JR Ferry to Miyajima & the Hiroshima Meipuru-pu is covered under JR Pass right?
      Yes.

      3) Can I travel directly to Shirakawa from Nagoya Station?
      No, you can’t. JR pass covers train between Takayama and Nagoya but you have to take a bus between Takayama and Shirakawago. This bus is not covered.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-shirakawa-go-%E7%99%BD%E5%B7%9D%E9%83%B7.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Yvean says:
        December 11, 2016 at 10:25 pm

        Thanks for the reply! Another few things that I’m confused about:

        1) I will be going around Hakata-Yanagibashi-Marionoa City-Fukuoka TV Tower-Nakasu Area by bus/subway and I’m planning to use the Fukuoka Pass. However, there are two type of Pass that I came across, which are the “Fukuoka City One-Day Free Pass” which cost ¥900 & “Fukuoka Tourist City Pass” which cost ¥820. Can I know what is the difference between this two?

        2) Is it advisable to make reservation for bus travelling between Takayama and Shirakawa? Or shall I just go to the Takayama Station and buy the ticket on the spot? I will be going there on the 30th of December.

        Thanks!

  6. Kim says:
    October 6, 2016 at 5:05 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    May I ask for your help please. We are travelling to Japan in June 2017, we arrive at Narita airport at 19:00. Can we exchange our JR Pass voucher and use it for the trip into Shinjuku and what train do we take? We plan to spend three nights there, then travel to Hakone, can we take the Shinkansen? From there to Kyoto for 4 nights then Hiroshima and now after reading your website decided to visit Miyajima, can we use JR Pass for all transport to and from there?

    Many thanks in advance for your help

  7. Marty says:
    September 29, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Would you clarify how to board the JR Miyajima ferry with the Japan Rail Pass? Do we show our passes like the other passengers showing their normal tickets? Thanks.

    Marty

  8. alyssa roska says:
    July 29, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    hi, we will be in osaka sept 1-6. we plan to visit kobe, hiroshima and kobe sanda outlet stores all daytrips the rest of the days we will be in osaka. what pass shd i get to be able to save with these trips that we plan to take? thank you so much

  9. Uzma Idris Kunwar says:
    June 18, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Hope you are doing well.
    Great tips you have given. I will soon be traveling to Japan with my mother and brother.
    Yes, the railway system is still somewhat confusing for me. We will land in Tokyo on the 23rd of July 2016, leave for Kyoto on 26th of July, then to Hiroshima on 28th of July for one night and plan to cover Himeji during this time as well, and finish off in Osaka on the 29th for 2 nights.
    As far as I have understood that we will need to get a JR Tokyo WIDE pass in the beginning. In Osaka we will get a daily subway pass which will be 800 yen/person. What I’m confused about is which pass to get for city-to-city travels. If i get the Kansai area WIDE pass then it doesn’t cover Hiroshima.

    Kindly help me out. It would be of great help to get back to me as soon as possible.
    Hoping to hear from you.
    Thanks.

    Best Regards,
    Uzma Idris Kunwar

  10. Robert Stephenson says:
    May 23, 2016 at 10:22 pm

    Thank you for all your advice. In Hiroshima can I buy a day pass ticket for Hiroden and local trains and ferry to Miyajima or do I need to buy a ticket for each separately? I am bringing some of my students to Hiroshima and although we won’t have a JR Pass we would like to do some local travel to Miyajima.
    Thank you again for your help,
    Robert

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