Hiroshima to Miyajima: Train, Tram, Ferry or Direct Boat

JGO! editorial team — WEBMARKS Inc. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

The simplest route from Hiroshima Station is usually the JR train to Miyajimaguchi, followed by a short ferry crossing. The journey takes about 45 minutes, and Hiroshima’s tourism guide lists the train-and-ferry fare as ¥620 one way, with the Miyajima Visitor Tax of ¥100 charged separately. If you are near Peace Memorial Park, you can take a tram to Miyajimaguchi or check whether a direct boat suits your plans; direct boats avoid a land-to-ferry transfer but cost more.

Every route to Miyajima involves a boat trip, but the starting point, price and journey time differ. Use the comparison below to choose a route, then check the linked operator information before travelling, particularly if you plan to return late or use a seasonal high-speed boat. The official information cited here was checked on November 3, 2026; some fare pages show conflicting or undated prices, which are noted rather than treated as confirmed changes.

Hiroshima to Miyajima: Which Route Should You Take?

For most visitors starting at Hiroshima Station, JR train plus ferry is the clearest balance of speed and cost. The tram takes longer but can be practical from the Peace Park area, while direct boats are useful if their departure pier and schedule fit your location. The journey times below are published route estimates, not a guarantee of your total door-to-door travel time.

The route estimates and listed JR-and-tram costs come from the Hiroshima tourism access guide. The ¥100 Miyajima Visitor Tax is generally charged once per visit to people entering the island by boat, so it should not be mistaken for part of each operator’s basic fare. When comparing direct boats, remember that the trip time starts at a different pier from the station routes; getting to the pier is additional travel.

The Miyajima Visitor Tax

Miyajima’s Visitor Tax has been collected since October 1, 2023. The general charge is ¥100 per person, once per visit, for people entering Miyajima by boat; preschool children are exempt. The tax is separate from the fare on the JR ferry and Matsudai ferry, and it is also listed separately for the Hiroshima Port and Prince Hotel high-speed boat. See Hatsukaichi City’s official visitor-tax information for the rules and payment options.

Some people are not subject to the tax, including residents of Miyajima Town and people who meet specified conditions for working or studying there. There is also an annual payment option of ¥500 per person, paid once for the year. The city advises applying by the 10th of the month before your planned first visit, so check the official page well in advance if you intend to use this option.

For a typical adult day trip using JR and ferry, budget for the published ¥620 route cost plus the ¥100 tax. The tourism guide’s tram-and-ferry figure is ¥440, but its comparison table does not state whether the visitor tax is included; plan for the tax separately unless your circumstances qualify for an exemption. Preschool-child exemptions from the tax do not by themselves settle every fare question, because each ferry company has its own rules for children travelling free.

From Hiroshima Station by JR Train and Ferry

The JR route is straightforward once you know which train destination to look for. JR West Miyajima Ferry directs passengers to take the Sanyo Line toward Iwakuni from Hiroshima Station and get off at Miyajimaguchi; the train ride is about 28 minutes. Do not board a train bound for Itsukaichi, because the tourism guide warns that those trains do not stop at Miyajimaguchi. Check the departure display at the station as well as the train’s destination before boarding.

1. Go to the JR platforms at Hiroshima Station and look for a Sanyo Line train heading toward Iwakuni.
2. Confirm that the train stops at Miyajimaguchi before you board. Trains going only to Itsukaichi are not suitable for this route.
3. Get off at Miyajimaguchi Station and leave through the ticket gates.
4. Follow the underground passage to the Miyajimaguchi Passenger Terminal.
5. Buy a ferry ticket at the counter or ticket machine, or, if you have a supported transport IC card, proceed to the ferry gate as directed.
6. Take the ferry to Miyajima; the crossing takes about 10 minutes.

The operator’s access and boarding guide explains the station-to-terminal approach, while its timetable gives the sailing information. The route is about 45 minutes from Hiroshima Station to Miyajima according to the tourism guide, but that is an overall route estimate; allow extra time if you need to find the platform, buy a ticket or wait for the next departure. The original guide also points readers to a route video showing the journey from Hiroshima Station toward Itsukushima Shrine with a JR Pass, and a short traveler video about the JR route.

The JR ferry’s Japanese fare page lists ¥200 for an adult one way and ¥100 for a child aged 6 to under 12. Its English fare page’s image description instead gives ¥180 and ¥90, and the update dates behind this mismatch are not confirmed. The safer approach is to check the operator’s current information before travel and not assume the English figure reflects the same fare as the Japanese page. The tourism guide’s ¥620 train-and-ferry total is a separately published route figure; the start date for that figure is also unconfirmed.

The JR ferry English fare page says that the Japan Rail Pass and JR-WEST Rail Pass can be used on the JR Miyajima Ferry. The pass applies to the JR ferry, not automatically to every boat serving the island. If you are relying on a specific regional pass, check that pass’s conditions rather than assuming it covers the whole journey.

Ferries from Miyajimaguchi: JR or Matsudai?

Two operators connect Miyajimaguchi with Miyajima: JR West Miyajima Ferry and Miyajima Matsudai Kisen. Their listed ordinary adult and child one-way fares are the same on the Japanese fare information, although the companies’ child categories and free-child allowances are not identical. Both crossings serve the same broad transfer: travel to Miyajimaguchi, reach the passenger terminal, then take a boat to the island.

The JR figures are listed on its Japanese fare page, while Matsudai’s figures are on its official price page. The fare pages do not confirm the start dates for all listed fares, so check them before departure. JR’s English page gives conflicting lower fare figures, as noted above; the table uses the Japanese listing and does not imply the disagreement has been resolved by the operator.

JR’s normal timetable lists departures from Miyajimaguchi at :10, :25, :40 and :55 during the 8:00 through 17:00 hours. The listed final departure is 22:42 from Miyajimaguchi and 22:14 from Miyajima, but JR also publishes different schedules for busy seasons and New Year. Before planning a late return, consult the official JR timetable rather than treating the normal schedule as universal.

JR also labels departures from Miyajimaguchi between 9:10 and 16:10 as “Otorii” boats, named after the large shrine gate. The operator says these boats take the same amount of time as its normal service. If seeing that service designation matters to you, check the timetable for the date and departure you want rather than assuming every JR sailing is an Otorii boat.

The Cheaper Route: Hiroden Tram and Ferry

Hiroden, Hiroshima’s tram operator, runs Line 2 between Hiroshima Station and Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi, where you transfer to a ferry. The Hiroshima tourism guide estimates about 80 minutes from Hiroshima Station to Miyajima by tram and ferry, compared with about 45 minutes for the JR route. From near Peace Memorial Park, the tram-and-ferry journey is listed at about 65 minutes, making it a useful option for visitors already in that area.

The tourism guide lists ¥440 for either tram-and-ferry route. Hiroden’s standard fare is ¥240 for an adult and ¥120 for a child across its network, including the city and Miyajima lines; a different fare applies when using MOBIRY DAYS on the Miyajima Line. The tourism comparison does not state whether its ¥440 includes the Visitor Tax, so account for the usual ¥100 tax separately when estimating your cost.

Before boarding, check both the route number and destination displayed on the front of the tram. Some Line 2 services terminate at Hiroden-Nishi-Hiroshima or Hiroden-Hatsukaichi instead of continuing to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi, so the line number alone is not enough. The Hiroden guide to riding explains how to use the service, and the Hiroshima Station Line 2 timetable shows the listed destinations.

Hiroden accepts cash, tickets, MOBIRY DAYS, transport IC cards and WAON. If you pay by IC card, tap the reader when boarding and again when getting off. The tram is a lower-cost choice on the published route comparison, but it is slower than JR from Hiroshima Station; choose it when the lower listed cost or your starting location makes the longer ride worthwhile.

Direct Boats: No Transfer at Miyajimaguchi

Direct boats can save you the train-or-tram-to-ferry-terminal transfer, but their departure piers are not interchangeable. One option leaves from Motoyasu Bridge pier in Peace Memorial Park; another connects Hiroshima Port or the Prince Hotel pier with Miyajima Port. Check which pier you need, how you will reach it, and the return boarding location before choosing a direct service.

From Peace Memorial Park: Hiroshima World Heritage Route

The Hiroshima World Heritage Route leaves from Motoyasu Bridge pier in Peace Memorial Park and reaches Miyajima pier in about 45 minutes. The Hiroshima tourism guide lists a fare of ¥2,200, but the current price, timetable and booking conditions could not be confirmed from the supplied operator information. Treat that amount as a listed figure, not a confirmed current fare, and check the tourism guide’s route information before making plans.

This boat may be convenient if you are already near Peace Memorial Park and want to avoid travelling first to Miyajimaguchi. Its approximately 45-minute crossing time should not be compared with the JR route’s approximately 45-minute overall journey as though they start in the same place: the JR estimate begins at Hiroshima Station, while the boat departs from the park pier. The original guide also references a traveler video showing an Aquanet boat journey from Peace Park to Miyajima.

From Hiroshima Port or the Prince Hotel Pier

Setonaikai Kisen operates a high-speed boat between Hiroshima Port, the Prince Hotel pier and Miyajima Port. From September 1, 2026, the listed one-way fare is ¥2,500 for an adult and ¥1,250 for a child, with the ¥100 Visitor Tax added for a trip to Miyajima. The listed round-trip fare is ¥4,900 for an adult and ¥2,500 for a child, tax included, and the ticket is valid for two days including the first day. These prices and conditions are on the operator’s official high-speed boat page.

For this service, junior high school students and older pay the adult fare, while elementary school students pay the child fare. Babies under 1 travel free, and one preschool child per adult travels free. A timetable example shows departure from Hiroshima Port at 9:25, from the Prince Hotel pier at 9:31, and arrival at Miyajima Port at 9:57; use the operator’s current schedule for your travel date rather than assuming this example is available every day.

Bookings are accepted by email or telephone. If you do not book, the operator says you can be accepted on the day if seats remain, so an unbooked place is not guaranteed. Some services operate only on weekends and public holidays from March through November, and do not operate from December through February; check the timetable for the exact service you intend to use.

At Hiroshima Port, the Miyajima boat leaves from Pier 6, directly in front of the terminal. On the return trip from Miyajima, board at Pier 3, berth 6; this is not the Miyajimaguchi ferry area. The boat permits two free pieces of luggage per person, each weighing no more than 30 kg and measuring no more than 2 metres in combined length, width and height; bicycles must be folded and placed in a bike bag.

Which Route Should You Choose?

If you are leaving from Hiroshima Station and want a straightforward journey, take the JR train toward Iwakuni to Miyajimaguchi and transfer to the JR ferry. The tourism guide’s estimate is about 45 minutes, and the JR ferry accepts the Japan Rail Pass and JR-WEST Rail Pass according to its English fare information. Check the train destination carefully, because an Itsukaichi-bound train does not stop at Miyajimaguchi.

If the lowest published route cost is your priority, compare the tram-and-ferry estimate of ¥440 with the JR-and-ferry estimate of ¥620. The tram route takes about 80 minutes from Hiroshima Station, while JR takes about 45 minutes; the Visitor Tax is not clearly included in the tram comparison and should be considered separately. From around Peace Memorial Park, the tram route is listed at about 65 minutes, while the direct Peace Park boat is also listed at about 45 minutes but has a current price and timetable that remain unconfirmed.

If you have luggage or want to avoid changing from a train or tram to the Miyajimaguchi ferry, a direct boat may be more convenient if you are close to its departure pier. The Hiroshima Port and Prince Hotel service has published luggage limits and a booking option, but costs more than the station-based route. For a late return, the JR normal timetable lists a 22:14 final departure from Miyajima; check for a seasonal timetable before relying on that time.

Common First-Time Mistakes

• Taking the wrong JR train: Choose a Sanyo Line train toward Iwakuni and verify that it stops at Miyajimaguchi. A train bound for Itsukaichi does not stop there.
• Boarding a tram that ends early: Some Line 2 services terminate at Nishi-Hiroshima or Hatsukaichi. Confirm that the displayed destination is Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi.
• Forgetting the Visitor Tax: Most visitors arriving by boat should allow an extra ¥100 per person, once per visit. Preschool children are exempt, and some residents and qualifying workers or students are outside the tax.
• Using the wrong Miyajima pier: For the Setonaikai Kisen return boat toward Hiroshima or the Prince Hotel, go to Pier 3, berth 6, not the Miyajimaguchi ferry area.
• Assuming a seasonal boat runs every day: Some Hiroshima Port high-speed boat services operate only on weekends and public holidays from March through November, with no service from December through February. Check the exact departure rather than relying on the general route description.
• Relying on an old or conflicting fare: JR’s Japanese and English fare pages show different figures. Check the operator’s latest information, especially if an exact budget matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima?

The Hiroshima tourism guide gives an estimate of about 45 minutes from Hiroshima Station by JR train and ferry. The tram-and-ferry route is listed at about 80 minutes from Hiroshima Station and about 65 minutes from near Peace Memorial Park. Direct boat crossing times depend on the service and pier; the World Heritage Route is listed at about 45 minutes, while the Hiroshima Port example takes 32 minutes from Hiroshima Port to Miyajima.

Is the ferry covered by the Japan Rail Pass?

The JR Miyajima Ferry’s English fare page says that the Japan Rail Pass and JR-WEST Rail Pass can be used. This statement applies to the JR ferry and does not establish coverage for Matsudai or the direct high-speed boats. Check the terms of your particular pass for the train portion as well.

Do I need to book the Miyajimaguchi ferry?

The supplied operator information explains that you can buy a JR ferry ticket at the counter or ticket machine, or use a transport IC card to proceed to the gate. It does not state a booking requirement for the Miyajimaguchi ferries. The Hiroshima Port and Prince Hotel high-speed boat, by contrast, accepts reservations by email or telephone, and unbooked passengers depend on seats remaining on the day.

What is the ¥100 Miyajima charge?

It is the Miyajima Visitor Tax, collected from people entering the island by boat, generally once per person per visit. Preschool children are exempt, and the city lists other exemptions for residents and certain people working or studying on Miyajima. An annual payment option of ¥500 per person is available, with the application deadline described by Hatsukaichi City as the 10th of the month before the first planned visit.

Can I use an IC card?

The JR Miyajima Ferry says passengers with a transport IC card can proceed directly to the gate. Hiroden also accepts transport IC cards, and tram passengers tap when boarding and when getting off. Do not assume that a card accepted on one part of your journey automatically covers every operator or boat.

What time is the last JR ferry from Miyajima?

The normal JR timetable lists the final boat from Miyajima at 22:14 and the final boat from Miyajimaguchi at 22:42. JR publishes different timetables for busy periods and New Year, so confirm the schedule for your travel date. These times are for the JR service and should not be applied to other boat operators.