Guide to visiting Island of Miyajima
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Miyajima & Itsukushima Shrine
If you’re visiting Hiroshima, you should definitely visit the sacred island of Miyajima. It is one of the “Three Views of Japan” - a list of the country’s most celebrated scenic sights and are also designated “Special Places of Scenic Beauty”.
Formally known as Itsukushima, it is also called as the “Island of Shrines” popularly known as Miyajima it is located on the Seto Inland Sea. It is famous for its iconic “floating” Shinto torii gate. The Otorii looks as though it is floating on the sea. The 1st shrine was dedicated to the goddess of the sea and built in the 6th century.
Itsukushima Jinja is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and “Special Historic Site”. It is considered too as a holy place of Shintoism. Built in the Japanese tradition of Shinto shrines in which a natural object such as a mountain becomes the focus of the religious belief to be worshipped from a shrine. The Itsukushima shrine is distinct as it is the middle with Mt. Misen in the background and the Seto Inland Sea in the foreground.
Itsukushima’s vermillion shrine buildings are connected by a covered walkway and look like they are floating in the sea when the tides are high. The current shrine dates back to the 12th century.
The iconic gate Otorii gate is located 200 m from the main shrine and is 16.6 meters tall, as the large buddha statue in Nara. The main pillar made of natural camphor tree is approximately between 500-600 years old. The current one in built in 1875, is the 8th torii gate and took almost 20 years to find.
If you’d like to walk out to the O-Torii Gate, check the tide schedule so you can be there while the tides are low.
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| from the other side of the beach |
WEBSITE: Itsukushima Shrine
ENTRANCE FEE: ADULT: Itsukushima Shrine : Y300 Treasure Hall : Y300 ; Combined Ticket : Y500
High School: Itsukushima Shrine : Y200 Treasure Hall : Y200 ; Combined Ticket : Y300
Children / Junior High School: Itsukushima Shrine : Y100 Treasure Hall : Y100 ; Combined Ticket : Y150
HOURS OF OPERATION: 6:30 AM - 5:30 (Jan to Feb, Oct 15 to Nov) ; 6:30-6 PM (March to Oct 14; 6:30 AM-5:00 PM (December)
5 Storey Pagoda
Goju-no-to, was originally built in 1407 and was restored in 1533. It stands at 27.6 meters high. The main deity enshrined is the Buddha of Medicine. You can visit the 5 storey pagoda by climbing the flight of stairs on the left side of the Itsukushima Shrine.
Momiji Park is especially beautiful in Autumn. You can walk from the exit of Itsukushima Shrine through the Momiji Park to reach the Miyajima Ropeway.
Miyajima Ropeway
You can also visit the Miyajima Ropeway while on the island to get a beautiful panoramic view. We were unable to go up the ropeway due to the limited time we had.
If you want to go up the ropeway and explore the island and shrine, allot a full day.
Website: Miyajima Ropeway
How to get here: Walk for about 20-25 minutes from Miyajima Pier to Momijidani Park Entrance, You can also take the free bus shuttle (20 minute intervals) to Miyajima Ropeway Momijidani Station.
How to get to Miyajima: Take the #2 Tram to Hiroden Miyajima-guchi or take train to Miyajima-guchi station (30 mins from Hiroshima Station). It’s a 5-10 minute walk to the ferry terminal. Matsudai & JR Ferry terminal is beside each other. Take the 10 minute ferry on either the JR Miyajima ferry or Miyajima Matsudai Ferry
Hours of Operation : 7:00PM -8:35 PM (Matsudai) 6:25 - 8:42 (JR)
Y180 (one way) /Y360 (roundtrip) : Adult) - Price is the same for both companies
You can use your JR Pass or JR West, JR Hiroshima -Kansai Pass for the JR MIyajima Ferry.
Tip: Great Torii Ferry of the JR Miyajima ferry takes a route that gives you a closer view of the iconic gate. It would be on the right side of the ferry when facing the forward direction.
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Miyajima-guchi
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