Miyajima Island Day Trip: Floating Torii Gate

Kyoto, Japan

Nature OutdoorsSpiritualHistoryPhotography

Would you do this?

Duration10 hrs

EffortModerate

BudgetBudget

PriceUSD 2

StyleSelf-Guided

OpenEvery day

Best monthsMar, Apr, Oct, Nov

About This Activity

Miyajima (Itsukushima) island is a 2.5-hour journey from Kyoto by shinkansen to Hiroshima, then a 10-minute ferry crossing. The island's iconic red torii gate appears to float on the water at high tide — one of Japan's most photographed views. Visit the adjacent Itsukushima Shrine (UNESCO, ¥300), hike up Mt. Misen for sweeping inland sea views, and sample fresh oysters and momiji manju (maple leaf cakes) from street vendors. Factor in 90 minutes each way for transport.

Seasonal note: Best in spring and autumn; check tide times for floating gate

See This in an Itinerary

This activity appears in 15 of our curated itineraries.

Best 14 Days in Japan — History

Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka

Day 10 · 3 cities · 21 activities

Best 21 Days in Japan — Nature

Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka

Day 16 · 3 cities · 33 activities

Best 21 Days in Japan — Photography

Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka

Day 15 · 3 cities · 32 activities

Best 21 Days in Japan — History

Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka

Day 14 · 3 cities · 34 activities

Best 21 Days in Japan — Without Walking Tours

Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka

Day 16 · 3 cities · 34 activities

Best 21 Days in Japan — Based in Kyoto

Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka

Day 16 · 3 cities · 37 activities

More Activities in Kyoto

Tunnel of vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine — 10,000 Torii Gates, Kyoto

Hike 4 km through 10,000 vermillion torii gates up Mount Inari at Kyoto's most visited shrine

Towering bamboo forest path

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Garden, Kyoto

Walk a 500 m path through 20-meter-tall bamboo, then tour Tenryu-ji's UNESCO Zen garden

Golden Pavilion temple reflected in mirror pond

Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Temple, Kyoto

See the three-story gold-leaf pavilion reflected in Kyoko-chi pond at one of Japan's most photographed landmarks

Traditional wooden geisha district street

Gion District & Hanamikoji Geisha Quarter, Kyoto

Walk Hanamikoji at dusk through Kyoto's most atmospheric geisha district of lantern-lit machiya teahouses

Kiyomizu-dera temple wooden stage overlooking Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Sannenzaka Heritage Walk, Kyoto

Climb to Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage for panoramic Kyoto views then descend through 400-year-old stone-paved lanes

Philosopher's Path — Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji, Kyoto

Walk the 2 km canal-side path from the Silver Pavilion to Nanzen-ji beneath 200 cherry trees

Kiyomizu-dera Temple wooden veranda overlooking Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Higashiyama District

UNESCO World Heritage temple with iconic veranda overlooking Kyoto and traditional shopping streets

Colorful food market stalls with fresh produce at Nishiki

Nishiki Market Food Walk — Kyoto's 400-Year Kitchen

Graze through 130+ stalls of tsukemono pickles, silken tofu, grilled scallops, and matcha sweets in downtown Kyoto