Miyajima Island

After the heaviness of Hiroshima, Miyajima feels like stepping into another world. A short ferry ride away, the island is calm, green, and almost unreal in how peaceful it is. The famous floating torii gate is the first thing you see — bright red, standing in the water, one of the most iconic sights in all of Japan.

For Sandy and I, Miyajima was exactly what we needed after the emotional weight of the museum. The island has this quiet, gentle energy… deer wandering around, small streets, ocean air, and that mix of nature and tradition Japan does so well. It’s the kind of place where you slow down without even trying.

Walking around the shrine, watching the tide move in and out, and seeing the torii gate change with the light — it’s one of those moments you don’t forget. A perfect balance to the intensity of Hiroshima, and a reminder of how beautiful and peaceful Japan can be.

We booked a one‑day Hiroshima + Miyajima tour through Viator, and it worked out really well. Everything was organized — transportation, ferry, timing — and the guide handled all the logistics. Klook is also a great place to book, with similar tours and good pricing. The nice thing about these tours is they often skip the lines, especially at the shrine and ferry, which saves a lot of time on a busy day.

That said, it wouldn’t be hard to do this trip on your own with a JR Pass or IC card. The train to Miyajimaguchi and the ferry are straightforward. But if you want a smooth, stress‑free day where everything is handled for you, the tours are definitely worth it.