Miyajima Island

Take a day trip to Miyajima Island. Just off the coast of Honshu, the Island of the Gods, Miyajima is a place of immense religious and historical significance in Japan. Owing to its intriguing sights and proximity, it is popular for day trips from Hiroshima. Home to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Itsukushima Shrine and its fantastic Torii Gate, the Virgin Forest and Mount Misen, Miyajima is around 30 min away from Hiroshima City. In fact, the official name of the island is Itsukushima but it is fondly known as Miyajima. The scenery with its vermillion shrine complex, the invincible mountain and a canopy of forested area is incredibly beautiful, romantic and soothing. The overwhelming number of deer circling the island help in amplifying its glamour. It is said that this place is essentially the body of God and is therefore holy and consecrated. Day-trippers just cannot have enough of this splendid spot and for all the right reasons and the ones staying overnight in its many romantic ‘ryokans’ never wish to leave.
A ferry connects Hiroshima to Miyajima island and to get to the port from Hiroshima Station, one must take the JR Sanyo Line up to the Miyajimaguchi Station. If in case you have a Japan Rail Pass, this 25-minute ride is covered and if not, you would be expected to pay some 400 Yen.