JR ferry! Hiroshima to Miyajima ferry ⛩ How to get to Miyajima with JR pass + cost without it ⛩ Japan travel blog

Hi there!

 

You get the ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima by going to the Hiroshima ferry port.

The Hiroshima ferry port is near the train station in Hiroshima called Miyajimaguchi Station. (map)

You can use google maps to guide your way!

It makes public transportation in Hiroshima super easy, and you can take public transportation to get to the Hiroshima ferry port!

 

Spending a couple of nights in Hiroshima can be a good idea so that you can take in both Hiroshima and Miyajima more slowly.

 

 

You could easily spend at least half a day, if not a full day just exploring all that the Hiroshima peace memorial park has to offer.

This includes the park itself, the museum, and the hall of remembrance.

These are important things to know before you visit the Hiroshima peace park.

 

 

And you can easily spend a full day on Miyajima island!

 

 

 

 

So now…

Is it easy to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima?

 

Yes, it can be!

 

 

If you’re looking to get to Miyajima using just your JR pass, you basically have one option.

If you don’t have a JR pass, you have many options to get from Hiroshima to the Miyajima ferry station:

1. JR train to Miyajimaguchi ferry station, then ferry to Miyajima (JR pass option)
2. Hiroden road tram to Miyajimaguchi ferry station, then ferry to Miyajima
3. Ferry from Hiroshima peace park direct to Miyajima
4. Ferry from Hiroshima Port direct to Miyajima

For all of these options, whether you have a JR pass or not, you don’t need to book a ticket in advance.

 

More below about the Miyajima ferry!

 

 

🗾

 

 

 

Now, for the details…

How to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima with a JR pass

Cost with JR pass: FREE!

• JR TRAIN: Hiroshima station to Miyajimaguchi station on the JR Sanyo main line
  • Time: Around a 30 minute train ride
• WALK: Miyajimaguchi train station to Miyajimaguchi ferry station
  • Time: Less than 5 minute walk
• JR FERRY: Take the JR ferry from Miyajimaguchi station to the Miyajima ferry station
  • Time: Around a 10 minute ferry ride

You won’t have to pay anything extra for any portion of the journey if you have a JR pass.

 

How much does it cost to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima WITHOUT a JR pass?

Now, let’s say you’re trying to figure out if you should have your JR pass activated for your trip to Miyajima, or you won’t be traveling around Japan at all with a JR pass.

You may also opt for a more unique or more convenient ferry option if you’re traveling without a JR pass to Miyajima.

Listed prices are approximate just so you can start to get at least a little bit of an idea.

 

 

 

Option 1: JR train to Miyajimaguchi ferry station

Cost: US$6

 

It’s a reasonable option to take the same route as above with the JR pass.

• JR TRAIN: Hiroshima station to Miyajimaguchi station on the JR Sanyo main line
  • Time: Around a 30 minute train ride
  • Cost: 410 yen (US$4)
• WALK: Miyajimaguchi train station to Miyajimaguchi ferry station
  • Less than 5 minute walk
• FERRY: Take the next ferry from Miyajimaguchi station to the Miyajima ferry station
  • Time: Around a 10 minute ferry ride
  • Cost: 180 yen (US$2)

 

 

Option 2: Hiroden road tram to Miyajimaguchi ferry station

Cost: US$5

 

HIRO-DEN = Hiroshima + dentei (electric station)

• HIRODEN ROAD TRAM: Hiroden Hiroshima station to Hiroden Miyajimaguchi station
  • Time: Around 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Cost: 280 yen (US$3)
• WALK: Hiroden Miyajimaguchi station to Miyajimaguchi ferry station
• FERRY: Take the next ferry from Miyajimaguchi station to the Miyajima ferry station
  • Time: Around a 10 minute ferry ride
  • Cost: 180 yen (US$2)

As you may notice, this option takes longer.

So why would you want to take the electric train?

It can come down to where you are staying in Hiroshima. And if you want the experience of riding on a train through the streets of Hiroshima. 😉

If you’re arriving to Hiroshima as a trip from Osaka or from Kyoto and going straight to Miyajima, that means you’ll be at the main JR Hiroshima station. So option 1, taking the JR train to Miyajimaguchi, would likely be the best option.

But if you’re staying in Hiroshima overnight and you’re making the trip to Miyajima from elsewhere within the city, it might be more convenient to find a nearby electric train station rather than a JR train station.

There is also a Hiroden station right near the Hiroshima peace memorial park called the Atomic Bomb Dome station.

 

 

Public transportation apps to download before your trip to Japan:

• Google Maps
• Navitime for Japan Travel

Have these apps on your phone and you’ll become a pro in no time at navigating public transportation in Japan!

Navitime also has an option to search for the best route if you’re traveling with a JR pass.

When you’re ready to head to Miyajima, use your current location to figure out exactly how to get to Miyajima!

 

Getting to the JR ferry station

 

Once you reach the Miyajimaguchi JR train station or Hiroden (electric railway) station, it’ll be pretty obvious how to find the JR ferry.

And off you go onto the ferry!

Well, if you don’t have a JR pass or local transportation IC card (like icoca, suica, pasmo), you first need to buy your ferry ticket.

 

 

JR ferry timings

 

Schedule for Miyajimaguchi ferry station to Miyajima

 

Schedule for Miyajima to Miyajimaguchi ferry station

 

Confirm the JR ferry’s official timings for updated information.

 

Matsudai ferry

There’s also another ferry, the Matsudai ferry, that departs right next to the JR ferry at Miyajimaguchi.

If I’m being honest, I really don’t know what the difference is.

They both are the same price.

The JR ferry claims to be the one that takes you closest to the floating torii during the boat ride.

Maybe the Matsudai ferry has slightly better seating. But it’s a 10 minute ride so no matter which you choose, you’ll probably be okay. 😉

The Matsudai ferry does claim to be environmentally friendly.

In case you are interested in the non-JR ferry from the Miyajimaguchi ferry station, here are the official ferry timings for the Matsudai ferry.

 

 

OPTION 3: Ferry from Hiroshima peace memorial park direct to Miyajima ferry station

Cost: US$18

• WORLD HERITAGE SEA ROUTE FERRY: Hiroshima peace memorial park to Miyajima ferry station
  • Time: Around 45 minutes
  • Cost: 2,000 yen (US$18)

This might be a convenient option if you are looking to start or end your day at the Hiroshima peace memorial park.

It could be helpful to know what things you want to see at the Hiroshima peace park so you can maximize your couple of hours there.

 

Hiroshima Peace Park ferry timings

 

On the ferry timetable below, the first column is departure time, the second column is arrival time.

 

Schedule for Hiroshima Peace Park to Miyajima

 

Schedule for Miyajima to Hiroshima Peace Park

 

Confirm the Hiroshima peace park ferry’s official timings for updated information

 

 

OPTION 4: Ferry from Hiroshima port direct to Miyajima ferry station

Cost: US$17

• HIGH SPEED FERRY: Hiroshima port to Miyajima ferry station
  • Time: Around 20-30 minutes
  • Cost: 1,850 yen (US$17)

Basically this high speed boat usually departs once an hour, with less frequent timings mid-day.

 

Hiroshima Port ferry timings

 

On the ferry timetable below, the red indicates Saturday, Sunday, and holiday departures only.

 

Schedule for Hiroshima Port to Miyajima

 

Schedule for Miyajima to Hiroshima Port

 

Confirm the Hiroshima port ferry’s official timings for updated information.

 

 

Best things to do on Miyajima island

 

Okay, so now that you have a better idea of how to get to Miyajima, what’s the best way to spend your time on the island?!

 

Here are the best things to do on a day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima:

 

1. Coastal walk with deer sightings

 

2. See the torii shrine gate at low tide

 

3. Walk to the torii gate at low tide

 

4. Visit Daisho-in Temple

 

5. Hike to the the highest point on Miyajima island

 

6. Rest at Mount Misen summit

 

7. Eat with views on Mount Misen

 

8. Take the Miyajima ropeway back down to sea level

 

9. See the floating torii shrine gate at high tide

 

10. Walk through Itsukushima shrine at high tide

 

Plan your trip to Miyajima

For more details on Miyajima itinerary planning, be sure to see this plan for a perfect one day on Miyajima island.

 

HAPPY HIROSHIMA TO MIYAJIMA PLANNING!