The Journey to Miyajima Island
Getting there was already part of the experience: from Hiroshima, it takes around 30 minutes by train to Miyajimaguchi Station, followed by a 10-minute ferry ride to the island. The ferry ticket costs around ¥200 one way (or is covered if you use the JR Pass on the JR ferry).
A Day Lost in Miyajima’s Magic
We started our journey by greeting the deer that welcomed us to the island—they even seemed to greet us back. From there, we headed to the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and the Grand Torii Gate, where the scenery changes completely with the tides. During the day, the water disappears, allowing visitors to walk closer to the gate, and by sunset, the sea returns, creating an unforgettable view. The Five-Storied Pagoda, located just next to the shrine, was our next stop and an easy addition to the visit.
After what felt like a hundred pictures, we continued towards Mount Misen, starting our hike through the peaceful mountain paths in search of the beautiful Daisho-in Temple. Although we didn’t have enough time to visit it, I would definitely recommend adding Senjokaku Hall to your itinerary.
On our way back, we explored Omotesando and Machiya Street, where we enjoyed some of the island’s famous fresh oysters and looked for souvenirs to remember this special day.
To make the experience even more memorable, we were lucky enough to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets of our Japan journey.
A Taste of Kobe
We ended this unforgettable day with a short stop in Kobe. After a long journey, and arriving quite late, we were lucky enough to find a restaurant that kindly welcomed us. It turned out to be the perfect ending to our day, as we enjoyed what became one of the best beef steaks we had ever tasted.
Getting to Kobe from Miyajima
It was easy: Getting to Kobe from Miyajima was simple. We took the train from Miyajima-guchi Station towards Osaka, stopping in Kobe along the way. Depending on the route, the journey takes around 2 hours and costs approximately ¥6,000–¥7,000 (€35–€40) one way if using the Shinkansen for part of the trip.
Although we only had time for dinner, Kobe left us with a special memory—and, of course, the unforgettable taste of its world-famous beef.
