Ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima | Which Route Wins

The easiest Hiroshima–Miyajima trip is JR train to Miyajimaguchi, then the JR ferry; allow about 45 minutes.

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Most visitors planning the ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima need the Miyajimaguchi crossing, not a downtown boat. From Hiroshima Station, ride the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi, walk to the ferry terminal, then cross to Miyajima Pier.

The JR route is the easiest default because the train is frequent, the ferry is cheap, and the Japan Rail Pass covers the JR train plus the JR ferry. The direct boat from Peace Memorial Park is simpler if you are starting beside the Atomic Bomb Dome, but it costs far more and can be affected by tide conditions.

Once you have picked your route, compare trains, ferries, and transfers here:

Hiroshima To Miyajima Ferry Options: What Each Route Costs

Hiroshima to Miyajima has three practical ferry routes: JR train plus ferry, streetcar plus ferry, or a direct boat from Peace Memorial Park. The JR train plus JR ferry route is usually the cheapest and most reliable choice for a first visit.

Use the table as the route decision, then read the notes below for tickets, rail passes, and when the direct boat makes sense.

Currency note: USD amounts are rounded for planning at about ¥160 to $1; pay attention to the yen price at the ticket window.

How Long Does The Ferry Take?

The Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima ferry takes about 10 minutes on JR West Miyajima Ferry and Matsudai Kisen, while the direct Peace Park boat takes about 45 minutes. The full trip from Hiroshima Station to Miyajima Pier usually takes about 45 minutes by JR train and ferry.

The hidden time is the transfer. At Miyajimaguchi, the JR station, streetcar stop, ferry piers, ticket machines, and boarding gates sit close together, but you still need a few minutes to walk, buy or tap a ticket, and queue at busy midday sailings.

• From Hiroshima Station: JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi is the cleanest start.
• From Peace Memorial Park: the direct boat saves a train transfer if the schedule fits.
• From Hondori or Hatchobori: the streetcar is easy, but slower than JR.
• For a day trip: leave Hiroshima by midmorning if you want Itsukushima Shrine, Omotesando shopping street, and time on Mount Misen.

JR Ferry Or Matsudai Ferry At Miyajimaguchi

JR West Miyajima Ferry and Miyajima Matsudai Kisen both cross from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima from adjacent terminals. Pick JR if you have a Japan Rail Pass; pick the next departure if you do not.

JR West Miyajima Ferry has one extra reason to wait for it during the day: selected Miyajimaguchi departures from 9:10 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. use the Great Torii route, which angles closer to Itsukushima Shrine’s offshore gate without adding extra travel time.

Matsudai Kisen is still a sound choice when its departure is next. Both ferries land at Miyajima Pier, and both leave you about a 10-minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine’s entrance area.

Tickets, Visitor Tax, And Rail Pass Rules

Ferry tickets are cheap, but the Miyajima visitor tax changes what you actually pay when entering the island. JR West Miyajima Ferry lists an adult one-way fare of ¥180 and states that the ¥100 Miyajima Visitor Tax is charged separately when entering Miyajima on its official ferry fare page.

Japan Rail Pass users can use the JR ferry, but the visitor tax is still separate. Regular ticket buyers and IC-card users usually see the tax included in the amount collected for the inbound trip to Miyajima.

Direct Boat From Peace Memorial Park

The direct boat from Peace Memorial Park is the easiest route when your day starts near the Atomic Bomb Dome. The direct boat is not the cheapest route, but it removes the train transfer and arrives straight at Miyajima.

Aqua Net’s World Heritage Sea Route runs between Motoyasu Pier near Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima in about 45 minutes. The route is tide-sensitive because the boat uses Hiroshima’s rivers before reaching the bay, so check that day’s sailing list before building your entire day around it.

The direct boat works well for a one-way plan: go straight from Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima, then return by the cheaper Miyajimaguchi ferry and JR train. That split saves money compared with a round trip on the direct boat and still gives you the river-and-bay ride once.

Where To Stay After The Crossing

Miyajima is possible as a day trip, but staying overnight changes the feel of the island after the last waves of day visitors leave. Stay on Miyajima for the torii gate at dusk and early morning; stay in Hiroshima if you want lower prices and easier food choices at night.

Compare Miyajima and Hiroshima stays on a map before you commit, because the right choice depends on whether you want island quiet or city convenience:

Overnight guests should check the last ferry back to the mainland before dinner plans. A late return is usually simple on regular evenings, but special events and weather can change schedules.

Which Route Should You Choose?

The JR train plus JR ferry is the right pick for most travelers because it balances time, cost, frequency, and rail-pass coverage. The Peace Park direct boat is the right pick when convenience from the Atomic Bomb Dome matters more than price.

• Cheapest: JR or streetcar to Miyajimaguchi, then a foot-passenger ferry.
• Simplest from Hiroshima Station: JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi, then JR ferry.
• Simplest from Peace Memorial Park: Aqua Net direct boat from Motoyasu Pier.
• Best for Japan Rail Pass holders: JR train plus JR ferry, with only the visitor tax handled separately.
• Best photo bonus: JR ferry departures using the Great Torii route between 9:10 a.m. and 4:10 p.m.
• Skip the car if possible: Miyajima’s main visitor area is walkable, and mainland parking is easier than bringing a vehicle onto the island.

For a clean day, leave Hiroshima Station after breakfast, use JR to Miyajimaguchi, take the JR ferry across, visit Itsukushima Shrine before lunch, then decide between Mount Misen and the shopping street. Return by the same ferry after sunset if you want the torii gate in softer light without paying for an overnight stay.