Miyajima Travel Hacks. Money Saving, Time Saving, Local Secrets

Discount Cards and Passes

Exploring options for travel passes can make your... more efficient journey and keep costs down.

Transport Perks

Japan Rail Pass: beneficial for extensive train journeys, covering JR lines and the JR ferry to Miyajima.
Hiroshima Tourist Pass: unlimited local transport access in Hiroshima and to Miyajima.
IC Cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA): cashless payments simplify transport and purchases.
Walking as much as possible on Miyajima.

Miyajima Free Visits

Explore Omotesando Shotengai.
Walk between the deer (from a safe distance).
View the torii gate without entering the shrine.
Visit Daisho-in Temple (free entry, donations welcome).

Hiroshima Free Visits

Visit Peace Memorial Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome.
See the Children's Peace Monument.
Explore Hondori shopping street.
Look for lunch sets at restaurants.

Dining Savings

Lunch sets are usually more affordable than the evening meal menus.
Convenience stores offer quality, affordable meals for breakfast and late-night snacks.
Use Hiroshima's affordable streetcar system.
Stay in Hiroshima city for more budget-friendly accommodation.

Time-Saving Strategies

Efficient planning maximises your time for enjoying Miyajima.

Crowd Avoidance

Most Miyajima attractions do not have long entry lines.
Miyajima Ropeway can be busy during peak season; arrive early or late.
Itsukushima Shrine/Torii Gate: fewer crowds early morning (before 9 AM) or late afternoon (after 4 PM).
Check tide times for optimal viewing of the 'floating' torii gate or walking up to it.

Peak Period Advice

Mt. Misen Ropeway: go early to avoid queues, especially on weekends or during peak season.
Omotesando Shotengai: busy mid-day, quieter in am and pm.
Itsukushima Shrine: visit once the sun has set for illumination.
Shinkansen Nozomi: the fastest bullet train, requires an additional fee with a standard Japan Rail Pass.

Travel Flow

World Heritage Sea Route: a direct ferry from Hiroshima Peace Park to Miyajima.
Group Miyajima attractions by proximity for efficient routing.
Itsukushima Shrine, Senjokaku, Five-Story Pagoda are close.
Daisho-in and Momijidani Park are also close.

Advance Booking

Ryokan on Miyajima: book in advance, particularly in high season.
Shinkansen Tickets: reserve seats for popular routes or times.
Flights: book well in advance for better prices and availability.
Check Miyajima tide schedules for Itsukushima Shrine viewing.

Local Insights

Gain insight into local customs and avoid common tourist missteps.

Common Missteps

Failing to review the tide schedule for Itsukushima Shrine.
Allocating only a few hours for Miyajima.
Feeding the wild deer.
Without carrying cash for smaller shops or traditional eateries.

Public Transport Etiquette

Be mindful of noise on trains or buses.
Avoid eating or drinking on local transport.
Follow queueing rules.
Remove shoes at homes, ryokan, some restaurants, and places of worship or shrines.

Local Customs

Politeness: Bow and use polite language.
Punctuality: Japan's trains and schedules run on time.
No Tipping: can cause confusion.
Waste Disposal: public bins are scarce, carry trash until a bin is found.

Phrases to Know

"Konnichiwa" (Hello)
"Arigato Gozaimasu" (Thank you very much)
"Sumimasen" (Excuse me / Sorry)
"Onegaishimasu" (Please / I humbly request)

Traveler-Specific Advice

Tailored direction for solo, family, and group journeys.

Solo Traveler Notes

Japan is exceptionally safe for solo travelers, including women.
Staying in youth hostels in Hiroshima creates opportunities to meet others.
On Miyajima, ryokan stays often mean private and serene experiences.
"Oishii" (Delicious!) - especially when praising food.

Family & Kid Tips

Miyajima Deer: Children enjoy viewing the deer from a safe distance.
Miyajima Aquarium: A great choice for younger children.
Ropeway: A fun experience for children ascending Mt. Misen.
Japanese food is kid-friendly (udon, ramen, rice, tempura).

Kid-Specific Logistics

Stroller accessibility: Main paths on Miyajima are stroller-friendly, but many places of worship and side paths have stairs.
Consider a Baby carrier for younger children.
Convenience stores are great for quick snacks and drinks for children.
"Kirei desu ne" (It's beautiful, isn't it?) - suitable for scenery or art.

Group Logistics

Accommodation: Book well in advance for groups, especially for ryokan on Miyajima.
Dining: For groups over 4-6 people, dinner reservations are recommended.
Local transport: Group passes can offer ease.
Travelers with mobility issues may find Miyajima challenging beyond the main shrine area due to stairs.

Digital & Print Resources

These online tools are invaluable for planning and during your journey.

Navigation Apps

Google Maps for general navigation (walking, driving, public transport) and Japan Transit Planner (Navitime/Jorudan) for detailed train and subway routing.

Language Tools

Google Translate for text, voice, and camera translation. A A Money Exchange app for quick conversions.

Local Information

A Weather App for daily forecasts and typhoon warnings. HappyCow for meat-free dining options.

Online Planning Resources

Official Tourism Sites

Japan Official Tourism authority Organization (JNTO): official tourist information.
Miyajima Tourist Association: official site with tide schedules and events.
Hiroshima Tourism: official website for Hiroshima city.

Travel & Accommodation Platforms

Hyperdia/Jorudan/Navitime websites: detailed rail schedules and routes.
Booking.com / Agoda / Expedia: for accommodation bookings.
Official tourism boards (JNTO, Hiroshima Tourism) on social media.

Podcasts and Digital Content

Audio shows about Japanese culture, history, and travel provide context. Japanology Plus and various travel podcasts offer listening experiences.

Emergency & Medical Information

Emergency Numbers

Police

Dial: 110
For immediate police assistance.
Report lost or stolen passports immediately.
Obtain a police report.

Fire / Ambulance

Dial: 119
For fire emergencies or medical aid.
State your location clearly.
Remain calm and provide details.

Japan Visitor Hotline JNTO

Dial: 050-3816-2787
Available 24/7.
English language support.
Assistance for various traveler inquiries.

Medical Care

Hospital Locations

Main medical centers with emergency services are in Hiroshima city.
Carry your travel insurance information at all times.
Consult your doctor for recommended vaccinations and prescription medications before travel.

Lost Document Protocol

Contact your country's embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document.
Have photocopies or digital copies of all important documents stored separately.
Keep contact details for your country's embassy (Tokyo) or nearest consulate (Osaka, Fukuoka) readily available.

Natural Disaster Protocols

Earthquakes

"Drop, cover, hold on" if indoors.
Stay away from windows.
If outdoors, move to an open area.

Typhoons & Tsunamis

Typhoons: Monitor weather forecasts closely and comply with local alerts.
Tsunami: If by the sea after a strong earthquake or warning, move immediately to higher ground.
Follow local emergency broadcasts, often available in multiple languages.

Print Resources

Local Maps

Comprehensive maps of Miyajima island are available at the ferry terminal or tourist information centers.

Guidebooks

Frommer's Japan or other general Japan guidebooks feature parts on Miyajima and Hiroshima.

Local Publications

Tourist brochures and pick up maps at ferry terminals, train stations, and tourist information centers often include local tips.

Important Safety Reminder

Always stay informed and adhere to local directives, especially during unforeseen events.

Further Information

Digital Travel Aids

Pre-Trip Logistics

Passport and Visa:
Confirm passport validity for the whole of your stay. Research what visa you need for your nationality.
Flights and Passes:
Book international flights to Japan. Purchase a Japan Rail Pass outside Japan for extensive train travel.
Accommodation:
Book somewhere to stay on Miyajima (especially ryokan) and popular Hiroshima hotels well in advance, especially for high season.

Travel Essentials

Travel Insurance:
Purchase a full policy.
Connectivity:
Arrange for a local SIM, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi.
Gear & Health:
Order any Travel gear (adapters, portable chargers). Consult your doctor for health advice.

Arrival Procedures

First Steps

Clear immigration and customs. Activate your SIM or eSIM, or pick up your pocket Wi-Fi. Exchange currency or withdraw from an ATM.

NordVPN: Secure your connection.

Orientation

Obtain local maps and transport guides. Familiarize yourself with nearby train, bus, or streetcar stops.

Babbel: Learn phrases.

Initial Purchases

An airport or 7-Eleven ATM is good for initial cash. Purchase an IC card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) for local public transport.

Eagle Creek: Organize travel documents.

Departure Checklist

Souvenirs & Shipping

Plan space for souvenirs or arrange for delivery from boutiques.
Japan offers tax-free purchasing tourists at eligible stores (marked "Tax-Free").
Present your passport at the time of purchase for tax refunds.
Refunds are generally processed directly at the store.

Departure Timing

For international flights, arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before departure.
For domestic flights, give 1-2 hours.
For the Miyajima ferry, arrive 10-15 minutes before your desired departure.
Confirm return flight details and keep documents accessible.

Home & Rental Returns

Home Preparation

Arrange for pet care or house-sitting.
Stop mail or newspaper delivery.
Settle bills before leaving.
Inform a trusted contact of your itinerary.

Rental & Belongings

Ensure home security.
Dispose of trash appropriately before leaving your hotel or ryokan.
Return any rented items, like Wi-Fi routers.
Consider travel insurance from World Nomads.

Final Planning Steps

Confirm internal transportation, like Shinkansen seats and local transport passes.

Miyajima Travel Hacks