Miyajima Sacred Island (Itsukushima) Highlights Tour
with JJ Walsh
Your Guide in Hiroshima
Joy ‘JJ’ Walsh from Hawaii, now calls Hiroshima home after 25+ years. She’s a sustainable travel-tourism consultant and co-founded Get Hiroshima in 1999, and arranges bespoke tours in Hiroshima that promote sustainability. Her weekly talk show-podcast Seek Sustainable Japan has over 500 live interviews.
Top sights and hidden gems on the island of Miyajima in Hiroshima
£285
Secure with just a 20% deposit!
Size: Up to 8 people
Duration: 6 hours
Transportation: Walking
Overview of your Miyajima tour:
Discover the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site of Miyajima Island, where sacred traditions meet stunning natural landscapes.
Get beyond the over-touristy route to explore the hidden gems of Miyajima island with an expert local guide to engage with friendly local shopkeepers, avoid the crowds, and hear interesting stories of history and culture to make the most of your time on Hiroshima’s sacred island of Miyajima.
Travel with your guide from your Hiroshima city hotel or Hiroshima train station to Miyajima island by train and short ferry (or by boat from Peace Park) in about an hour.
Explore backstreet gems and meet interesting locals, walk through sacred forests, see the beautiful designs and learn the secret stories of the most important and endeared temples and shrines, and take in the best views of the most charming spots on the island with your guide. There are also charming snacking or eating spots to stop at along the way if you’d like.
Explore the best spots with your guide on the island for about 4 hours and choose to return together, or get advice about making your own way up to Mt. Misen (hiking trails or via cable car) or enjoy other eateries, shopping or wandering on your own after the tour.
Your Miyajima tour itinerary
- Meet at your hotel (or Hiroshima station)
- Travel to (or meet guest at hotel on) the island of Miyajima by train and ferry (travel from Hiroshima station is 45 min)
- Visit the stunning giant “floating” tori gate and “floating” Itsukushima shrine UNESCO sites + Visit one of Japan’s most significant Buddhist temples Daishoin – at the foot of the sacred Mt.Misen
- Coffee / tea / lunch or snack break
- Thousand mat hall + 5-story pagoda visit
- Interesting high-quality local shops
NOTE: order, length of each visit and destinations will depend on the weather, guest walking speed and interests of the group. We do not have time to hike up to Mt.Misen or take a cable car (ropeway) up as it takes over 2-hours to get up and down. If you want to add a hike up Mt.Misen let’s create a customized all-day tour for you on Miyajima island.
Transportation Details
Type: Walking
There is a fair bit of walking to do on a Miyajima island tour, but there are rest areas near the island’s port where people in the group who have trouble walking can wait and rest while more active members explore. Direct ferries from Miyajima island to Peace Park are also an option to reduce walking amount.
What’s included
- Private Guide
What’s extra
- Other: Personal expenses.
- Public Transportation
- Food Drinks Snacks
- Tickets
- Private Transportation
- Private Transportation With Driver
- Accommodation
- Tastings
- Equipment
- Classes Workshop
- Services
Meeting location
Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 732-0822 Japan
Hiroshima station, cruise ship ports, Hiroshima hotel, Miyajima hotel
£285
Secure with just a 20% deposit!
Size: Up to 8 people
Duration: 6 hours
Transportation: Walking