Hiroshima & Miyajima: Bike Tour, Ferry & Island Shrines

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/10

Duration7h–8h

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Ride through Hiroshima’s history then ferry to Miyajima’s shrines and forests

You’ll cycle through Hiroshima’s neighborhoods and Peace Memorial Park with a local guide before hopping a train and ferry to Miyajima Island. Expect moments of quiet reflection at memorials, laughter with wild deer near Itsukushima Shrine, and a sit-down lunch with regional flavors. This day trip leaves you carrying more than just photos home.

7h–8h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hiroshima and Miyajima Island

Cycle through Hiroshima city
Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Reflect at Cenotaph monument
Explore Hiroshima Castle grounds
Take Miyajima Ferry to island
Tour Miyajima Island with guide
Visit Itsukushima Shrine and lunch
Return to Hiroshima by ferry and train
Collect luggage and get recommendations

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the way the morning light hit the river as we pedaled out from central Hiroshima — not harsh, just soft enough that you could still smell last night’s rain on the pavement. Our guide, Junko, waved us over near Peace Memorial Park. She spoke quietly when we reached the Cenotaph; I could hear cicadas in the trees and the low hum of schoolkids passing by. There was this moment where nobody said anything for a bit — just looking at the paper cranes and thinking about what happened here. I didn’t expect that part to feel so heavy.

We wound our way past Hiroshima Castle (the moat had these lazy koi drifting around), snapped a photo at the main tower, then hopped onto a local train — bikes and all. The ride out toward Miyajimaguchi was quick but somehow peaceful; Junko pointed out her favorite bakery from the window but we didn’t stop (I kind of wish we had). The ferry to Miyajima Island felt like a reset: salt air, gulls overhead, and suddenly there’s that famous orange torii gate floating in the water. It looked almost painted on.

I’d heard about the wild deer on Miyajima but wasn’t prepared for how bold they are — one tried to eat my map while our group laughed. Lunch was at this tiny place tucked behind a shrine; I went for the vegetarian option (pretty good miso soup) while someone else braved oysters. Walking through Itsukushima Shrine with Junko explaining all these little details about Shinto rituals — honestly, half of it went over my head but it felt special anyway. The light inside was gold and everything smelled faintly of wood and seaweed.

Heading back was quiet — maybe everyone was tired or just full of thoughts. We got tips from Junko for dinner spots back in Hiroshima (she swears by okonomiyaki at this place near the station). Even now, sometimes I think about that view from the ferry: city behind us, shrine ahead, everything kind of suspended between water and sky.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a bicycle in Hiroshima, all fees and taxes, a guided visit through Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Castle, train fare to Miyajimaguchi station plus ferry tickets to Miyajima Island, entry into Itsukushima Shrine’s area, a sit-down regional lunch (with vegetarian options), time with a knowledgeable local guide throughout—and storage for any luggage you need to leave behind until pickup at day’s end.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by In Kansai Experiences