A Day Trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island

After much deliberation about which day trips to take from Osaka, I finally settled on Hiroshima and Miyajima Island because I wanted to see the famous “floating” torii Gate. If you couldn’t already tell after reading all the posts in this Japan adventure series, I love these structures!

Reaching Miyajima Island meant passing through Hiroshima, making it an essential stop on my journey. But Hiroshima turned out to be far more than just a gateway to Miyajima.

I found myself captivated by its unexpected beauty and tranquillity. The city’s appearance left a lasting impression on me, especially considering its near-total destruction by an atomic bomb during World War II.

I set out early to make the most of my day trip from Osaka. This time, I opted for an unreserved seat ticket for the bullet train (Shinkansen), which I bought online a day before the trip. Before leaving for Japan, I had booked reserved tickets online, which meant being at the station at a precise time for a specific train.

Getting from Osaka to Hiroshima

The unreserved tickets provided more flexibility, with the sole drawback being the potential lack of available seating during peak travel times. Luckily this was not an issue on this journey. At 6:30 am, the train was practically empty.

The journey from Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station took about an hour and 20 minutes. I wasn’t aware that the train would pass through Himeji, else, I might have stopped to see the castle there. Anyway, Hiroshima and Miyajima were already filling up the day but I think I could have squeezed in Himeji Castle as well – Next time, I guess 🙂

Getting from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island

After arriving at Hiroshima station, I chose to head on to Miyajima Island first. At the station, I transferred to the JR San-yo Line and rode the train for about 30 minutes to Miyajimaguchi Station. From there, it was a short walk to the JR Miyajima Ferry pier and a 10-minute ride on the ferry to the island.

Welcome to Miyajima Island

Upon arrival, I encountered several groups of students on school excursions. Although the overall area wasn’t particularly crowded, considerable queues had already formed at the entrance to Itsukushima Shrine. Rather than waiting in line, I opted to proceed directly to view the torii gate at close range.

Visiting Itsukushima Jinja

The tide was still high, so it was only possible to admire the gate from afar. This was my preference anyway. I found a cosy spot to set up and enjoyed the pastries I got from the train station. From there, I had a prime view of tourists exploring the area, and to my amusement, a mischievous deer giving them a bit of a hard time!

Here’s a short video from the morning…

After breakfast, I got a few photos for keepsakes and then set off to explore the island. Mount Misen was next on my itinerary but I figured that I would need more time to hike it leisurely, so I skipped it and went to check out the temples nearby instead.

Visiting Hokoku Shrine (Senjokaku Hall)

The line for Itsukushima Shrine had gotten pretty long, and I still wasn’t up for the wait. So, I checked out the shrine right across from it instead. I paid a small fee to get in, then spent some time taking in the big wooden interiors and soaking up the views from the elevated pavilion.

After that, it was time to explore the shopping street.

Omotesando Shotengai (Shopping Street)

When I arrived at the island earlier, all the shops here were closed, however, after several hours of sightseeing, I returned to find the street had transformed into a lively hub of activity.

I wandered around looking to grab some souvenirs but hit a snag when I realized all the shops were cash-only and I was running low. So, I figured I’d use what little cash I had left to treat myself to some of Miyajima’s famous snacks and dishes instead. I went for the Momiji manjū – sweet rice cake with fillings (I picked the chocolate one) – and an oyster meal set.

Back to Hiroshima

After that, it was time to head back to Hiroshima. I just backtracked the same way I came. But I found out later that there’s actually an easier way to do this trip. You can hop on the Hiroshima Ferry, which goes straight from Miyajima to the Peace Memorial Park.

From Hiroshima Station, I walked for about 35 minutes until I arrived at the Peace Memorial Park. The journey was quite enjoyable, complemented by wonderful weather conditions.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Upon entering the park, I was struck by its serene atmosphere. The expansive space was dotted with various monuments and memorials, each serving as a poignant reminder of the city’s tragic past.

The most prominent structure, the skeletal dome of the Atomic Bomb Dome, stood as a haunting centrepiece, its preserved ruins a powerful testament to the devastation of August 6, 1945.

It was an emotional visit for me and I bawled my eyes out upon seeing the children’s peace monument and listening to stories from survivors that were presented in videos at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.

Finally, it was time to head back to Osaka. I walked to the train station and hopped on the next available train for the 1hr20min trip to Shin-Osaka Station. The journey provided a welcome opportunity to reflect on the day’s experiences, from the serene beauty of Miyajima to the sobering memorials of Hiroshima.

This day trip, though brief, left an enduring impression, showcasing a compelling mix of Japan’s scenic landscapes, deep-rooted traditions, and its dedication to fostering global harmony.