Miyajima Walking Tour: Shrine, Temple & Local Food

Five and a half hours on an island where Buddhism shaped every stone

A half-day walking tour of Miyajima island departing from Hiroshima, led by a MagicalTrip certified guide, that covers Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Momijidani Park and Senjokaku Hall, with all entrance fees and a local lunch included. The tour boards a ferry across the Seto Inland Sea, passes through the island's deer-filled paths, and ends with tasting oysters and fried momiji dumplings at the Miyajima Omotesando shopping street.

Step-by-step itinerary

Miyajima Island Historical Walking Tour

• Board ferry to Miyajima
• Enjoy views of Seto Inland Sea and Otorii
• Meet friendly deer on arrival
• Stroll along coast to Otorii Gate
• Visit Itsukushima Shrine
• Take photos at Itsukushima Shrine
• Learn about Buddhism at Daisho-in Temple
• Take photos at Daisho-in Temple
• Visit Senjokaku Hall
• Explore Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
• Taste local oysters and momiji dumplings

The Experience

The day starts with a ferry ride across the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima island, where you'll see the iconic floating torii gate from the water before stepping ashore. Friendly deer roam the coastal paths as you walk toward Itsukushima Shrine, built during the Heian period (794–1192) and designed to rise and fall with the tides. Your guide explains the shrine's deep cultural significance and the role it has held in Japanese spiritual life for nearly a thousand years.

From there, you move inland to Daishoin Temple, the oldest temple on Miyajima and the main temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism. The guide walks you through its statues and Buddhist teachings, then leads you to Senjokaku Hall—a massive shrine building the size of 857 tatami mats—and through Momijidani Park, where the five-story pagoda stands among the trees. Each stop builds a picture of how Buddhism shaped the island's architecture and daily life.

The tour ends at the Miyajima Omotesando shopping street, where you taste local specialties: grilled oysters, fried momiji dumplings, and other sweet and savory treats prepared at food stalls along the street. Tour photos are included, and vegetarian and vegan lunch options are available if you request them at least one day ahead.

What’s included

• Certified English-speaking guide.
• entrance to Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Senjokaku Hall and Momijidani Park.
• local lunch with oysters and fried momiji dumplings.
• tour photos.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by MagicalTrip Inc.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Hiroshima without a car—the ferry and guide handle the logistics of reaching Miyajima, and the five-and-a-half-hour loop means you're back by afternoon without arranging separate transport or navigating the island on your own.

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Top questions

How do I get from Hiroshima to Miyajima on this tour?

You board a ferry to Miyajima after gathering with the group; the round-trip ferry fare is 500 yen (about $4) and is not included in the tour price. The ferry crossing gives you views of the Seto Inland Sea and the iconic torii gate as you approach the island.

What is the floating torii gate I keep seeing in photos of Miyajima?

The torii gate, called the Otorii, is Miyajima's symbol and stands in the water in front of Itsukushima Shrine. Built during the Heian period, it appears to float at high tide and sits on the sand at low tide, and you'll see it from the ferry and walk past it on the way to the shrine.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour involves walking along coastal paths and through temple grounds for five and a half hours, so it requires a moderate level of activity. Some locations on the itinerary are not accessible by wheelchair or stroller, and it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What kind of food will I eat, and can you handle dietary restrictions?

Lunch includes fresh oysters, fried momiji dumplings, and other local specialties from the Miyajima Omotesando shopping street. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you request them at least one day before the tour; gluten-free lunch is not available, and the food is prepared in kitchens outside MagicalTrip's control, so allergy guarantees cannot be made.

Who is leading this tour?

A MagicalTrip Certified Guide leads the tour in English; the guides are professionally trained and selected by MagicalTrip, which holds TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence and the Tripadvisor Best of the Best Award.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes entrance fees to all shrines, temples and museums visited, a local lunch, tour photos, and the certified guide; the ferry to Miyajima (500 yen round-trip) is separate, and additional food and drinks are available for purchase.