Miyajima Island

Home to a glittering UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Miyajima island is a spiritual journey like no other and is one of the most touristy places in Japan. With a massive vermillion ‘Floating Torii’ standing as an exceptionally elegant gateway to its Itsukushima Temple, this island seems to extend a warm welcome to travellers from all over the globe. Popularly referred to as ‘The Land of The Gods’, Miyajima is around thirty minutes away from the city of Hiroshima and has the Seto Inland Sea and the forested area of Mount Misen as its strikingly beautiful background. The scenery is as romantic as it is mysterious and somewhere in the midst of this discovery, a wave of tranquility washes over you. Watching the sun go down, casting specks of glittering golden rays over the Itsukushima Shrine is a surreal experience, and so is walking down a path strewn with cherry blossoms. Make sure you spend a night in one of the many ‘Ryokans’ dotting the island as they account for some wonderful memories.

Easily the most popular day trip from Hiroshima, Miyajima Island can be reached by virtue of a short ferry. You would first have to take the JR Sanyo Line from the Hiroshima Station, disembark at Miyajimaguchi Station and then get to the port which will further help you hop aboard your final ride. While the ferry usually costs 400 Yen, the trip is free for those who possess a JR Pass.