7. Kyoto to Hiroshima/ Miyajima Day Trip

6:30am - Head to Kyoto Station by bus or walk
Have a coffee, a few fags, and grab a bite to eat.

Kyoto Station: Depart 7: 20 train
Take reserved seat near window

9:05 Arrive Hiroshima
9:15 Take train JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (25 minutes)
9:40 Arrive Miyajimaguchi Station. Short walk to the ferry pier.

10:00 JR Ferry to Miyajima.
From the ferry terminal, it's a ten minute walk to Itsukushima Shrine. All the other sights are located within walking distance from the shrine.

Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine (120 min)

Itsukushima Shrine is a World Heritage Site. Established in the 6th century, famous for its beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure (architecture representative of a nobles' residence in the Heian period). See the vermillion shrine sitting in a lush environment facing the deep blue sea and enjoy the picturesque beauty.


12:00 - Miyajima Port to Hiroshima Station
Catch ferry back to Miyajimaguchi, then train to Hiroshima Station.  (Shinkansen-guchi Entrance). Get on the Sightseeing Loop Bus "Hiroshima Meipu ru-pu"bus to Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park. (Bus free with JR Pass)

The loop bus runs every 15 minutes from the Hiroshima Station to major tourist spots of Hiroshima City including Peace Memorial Park, three museums and center of the town. One ride is 200yen and a one-day pass is 400 yen. Catch the bus at the Hiroshima Station (Shinkansen-guchi Entrance; in front of Hotel Granvia) and other 13 stops (bus stops and timetable vary according to a route).

Atomic Bomb Dome
The Atomic Bomb Dome is a symbol of the disastrous atomic bombing during WWII, the first atomic bombs used in human history, and has been preserved as it was to promote peace and elimination of atomic weapons around the world

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum (100 min)
This large-scale park was established in 1949 after the Pacific War ended, and is visited by countless visitors as a symbol of peace. The museum within the park is an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and was built to remind future generations of the terror wrought by atomic bombs.


17:00 JR Hiroshima Station
Be at Hiroshima station by 17:00.
17:47: SHINKANSEN SAKURA 562 (Departure track No. 14)
19:10: Arrive SHIN-KOBE

19:25 Depart: SHINKANSEN HIKARI 482
19:55 Arrive: KYOTO (Arrival track No.11)


Hiroshima Transport

How to get to Miyajima
1. Hiroshima Station: JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (25 minutes, 410 yen one way, covered by the Japan Rail Pass).
2. Alternatively, you can take tram line number 2 from central Hiroshima bound for Miyajimaguchi. The tram is slower, but costs only 260 yen one way (not covered by the Japan Rail Pass).

Miyajimaguchi Station: Short walk to ferry pier. Two ferry companies - JR and Matsudai. Both take 10 minutes and both cost 180 yen one way. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on JR ferries.

Miyajima Island

Miyajima Ropeway
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Fees: 1000 yen (one way), 1800 yen (round trip)
Miyajima Ropeway