Everything You Need to Know About Miyajima: The Sacred Island of Floating Beauty

📌 Quick Overview

Miyajima is a small, sacred island in the Seto Inland Sea, most famous for the Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic, vermilion "floating" Torii Gate, an image ranked as one of Japan's Three Great Views. The entire island has been revered as a deity since ancient times, creating a spiritual landscape where shrine architecture and nature blend seamlessly.

✅ What You Should Know

• Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: The shrine and its Torii gate are globally recognized for their architectural and historical significance, having been celebrated as one of Japan's best views since at least 1643. The main buildings are built over the water on stilts to respect the sacred nature of the island itself, creating the illusion of floating during high tide.

• Check the Tide Schedule for the Best Views: The appearance of the famous Torii gate changes dramatically with the tide. At high tide, the gate appears to float on the water, offering the classic, ethereal photo opportunity. At low tide, visitors can walk right up to the gate on the exposed seabed. Timing your visit to see both is highly recommended.

• The Island is Home to Wild Deer: Miyajima is inhabited by friendly sika deer that roam freely. These deer are considered sacred messengers in the Shinto religion and are largely unfazed by human presence. However, unlike the deer in Nara, it is crucial not to feed the Miyajima deer to protect their health and behavior.

Scientific Basis & Citation

The designation of Itsukushima Shrine as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and its historical recognition as one of Japan's three best views (since 1643) establish its significance. The architectural choice to build the shrine over the water is rooted in the belief that the entire island was a sacred body of a god, necessitating that the worship space be separate from the land. The tide's influence on the visual experience is a direct, observable fact tied to coastal geography, making the tide schedule an essential travel tip.

🚃 Access

Nearest Station: Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅)

Miyajima is easily accessed from Hiroshima City.

1. Train to Ferry Port: Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station (approx. 25 minutes, covered by the Japan Rail Pass). Alternatively, take the slower but cheaper Hiroshima Tram Line No. 2 (Streetcar) directly to Miyajimaguchi.

2. Ferry to Island: From Miyajimaguchi, it is a short walk to the ferry pier. JR Ferry and Matsudai Kisen Ferry both operate frequent services to Miyajima (Itsukushima) Island (approx. 10 minutes). The JR Ferry route passes closest to the Torii Gate, making it a popular choice.

Note: Visitors must pay a small 100 yen visitor tax, collected by the ferry operator, upon boarding the ferry.