Miyajima Station: Getting to the Island Ferry & What You Need to Know
There Is No Miyajima Station (Here's What You Actually Need)
If you are searching for "Miyajima Station," here is the essential fact: there is no train station on Miyajima Island. The island — home to the famous floating torii gate and Itsukushima Shrine — is only accessible by a 10-minute ferry ride from the mainland.
The station you need is on the mainland, in an area called Miyajimaguchi (宮島口), which literally means "Miyajima entrance." Two stations serve this area, roughly 2 minutes apart on foot:
- JR Miyajimaguchi Station (宮島口駅) — JR Sanyo Line, faster service from Hiroshima
- Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi Station (広電宮島口駅) — Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcar terminus, slower but cheaper
From either station, you walk to the shared Miyajimaguchi Passenger Ferry Terminal (宮島口旅客桟橋), board a ferry, and reach Miyajima in about 10 minutes. The whole journey from central Hiroshima takes 35-80 minutes depending on which train option you choose.
For a broader overview of Hiroshima's transit connections, see our Hiroshima station hub guide.
The Two Mainland Stations: JR vs Hiroden
JR Miyajimaguchi Station (Faster, JR Pass Covered)
According to the JR West official site, JR Miyajimaguchi Station is on the JR Sanyo Main Line, approximately 27 minutes from Hiroshima Station. The fare is ¥420 (~$2.80) one way, and trains run frequently throughout the day.
This is the station to use if you have a JR Pass (both the train and the JR Ferry to Miyajima are covered), or if you want the fastest route from Hiroshima. The station is compact and easy to navigate. For a full breakdown of station facilities and layout, see our Miyajimaguchi Station guide.
Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi Station (Cheaper, Scenic Tram)
Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi is the western terminus of Hiroshima's streetcar (路面電車) network. According to the Hiroden official site, the tram takes approximately 70 minutes from Hiroshima Station and costs around ¥300 (~$2) one way.
The tram is slower but offers a scenic ride through Hiroshima's neighborhoods and along the coast. It is the cheaper option if you do not have a JR Pass. The Hiroden station is about 2 minutes' walk south of JR Miyajimaguchi Station, right next to the ferry terminal.
For details on the full Hiroden streetcar route, see our guide to the Hiroden streetcar to Miyajimaguchi.
| JR Train | Hiroden Tram | |
|---|---|---|
| Time from Hiroshima | ~27 min | ~70 min |
| One-way fare | ¥420 (~$2.80) | ~¥300 (~$2) |
| JR Pass covered | Yes | No |
| Best for | Speed, JR Pass holders | Budget, scenic ride |
From Station to Ferry: Walking to the Terminal
Both stations are within a short, flat walk of the Miyajimaguchi Passenger Ferry Terminal. According to JR West, the walk from JR Miyajimaguchi Station takes about 3-5 minutes. From Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi, it is even shorter — about 2 minutes.
The path is well-signed in English and fully barrier-free with elevators and ramps. You will see signs for both the JR Ferry and Matsudai Ferry as you approach the terminal. The two ferry operators share the same pier building.
JR Ferry vs Matsudai Ferry: Which to Take
JR Miyajima Ferry (JR Pass Covered)
According to the JR Miyajima Ferry official site, this ferry runs every 5-15 minutes with the first departure around 6:40 and the last around 20:50. The crossing takes approximately 10 minutes. Adult fare is ¥180 (~$1.20) one way, ¥90 for children.
The JR Miyajima Ferry is covered by the JR Pass — making it the obvious choice for pass holders. This means your entire journey from Hiroshima Station to Miyajima Island costs nothing with a JR Pass.
Matsudai Ferry (Private Operator)
According to the Matsudai Ferry website, this private ferry runs approximately every 30 minutes from 7:00 to 19:00. Adult fare is ¥200 (~$1.30) one way, ¥100 for children. It is not covered by the JR Pass.
The Matsudai Ferry departs from the same terminal building. The crossing time is similar. Choose Matsudai if the timing works better or if you are not using a JR Pass and the next Matsudai departure is sooner than the next JR Ferry.
| JR Miyajima Ferry | Matsudai Ferry | |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Every 5-15 min | Every 30 min |
| Adult fare | ¥180 (~$1.20) | ¥200 (~$1.30) |
| JR Pass covered | Yes | No |
| First/last | ~6:40 / ~20:50 | ~7:00 / ~19:00 |
| Crossing time | ~10 min | ~10 min |
Getting to Miyajimaguchi from Hiroshima
Most visitors depart from Hiroshima Station. Here is how the two options compare end-to-end:
JR Route (recommended for most travelers):
- JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi — 27 minutes, ¥420
- Walk to ferry terminal — 3-5 minutes
- JR Miyajima Ferry — 10 minutes, ¥180 (free with JR Pass)
- Total: ~40 minutes, ¥600 one way (free with JR Pass)
Hiroden Route (budget option):
- Hiroden streetcar from Hiroshima Station to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi — ~70 minutes, ~¥300
- Walk to ferry terminal — 2 minutes
- Matsudai or JR Ferry — 10 minutes, ¥180-200
- Total: ~80 minutes, ~¥500 one way
The JR route is nearly twice as fast. Unless you specifically want the scenic tram ride or are trying to save ¥100, the JR train is the better choice. JR Pass holders have no reason to take the Hiroden.
Ferries may be suspended in severe weather (typhoons, extreme conditions), and winter schedules may have slightly earlier last departures. Check the ferry operator's website before your visit if traveling during these periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a train station on Miyajima Island?
No. Miyajima Island has no train station. You reach the island by a 10-minute ferry from the mainland Miyajimaguchi area. Two stations serve the mainland side: JR Miyajimaguchi (JR Sanyo Line) and Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi (Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcar).
Does the JR Pass cover the ferry to Miyajima?
Yes — the JR Pass covers the JR Miyajima Ferry (¥180 one way without the pass). It does not cover the Matsudai Ferry (¥200). The JR Pass also covers the JR train from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi, making the entire trip from Hiroshima to Miyajima free with a pass.
Should I take the JR train or Hiroden tram to Miyajimaguchi?
The JR train is faster (27 minutes from Hiroshima, ¥420) and covered by the JR Pass. The Hiroden tram is cheaper (70 minutes, ~¥300) and scenic but significantly slower. JR Pass holders should always use JR.
How long is the ferry ride from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima?
About 10 minutes. The JR Ferry runs every 5-15 minutes (first departure ~6:40, last ~20:50). The Matsudai Ferry runs approximately every 30 minutes with more limited hours.
How much does it cost to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima?
By JR: ¥420 train + ¥180 ferry = ¥600 (~$4) one way. By Hiroden tram + Matsudai ferry: ~¥300 + ¥200 = ~¥500 (~$3.30) one way. With a JR Pass using JR train + JR Ferry, the entire journey is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a train station on Miyajima Island?
- No. Miyajima Island has no train station. You reach the island by a 10-minute ferry from the mainland Miyajimaguchi area. Two stations serve the mainland side: JR Miyajimaguchi (JR Sanyo Line) and Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi (Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcar).
- Does the JR Pass cover the ferry to Miyajima?
- Yes — the JR Pass covers the JR Miyajima Ferry (¥180 one way without the pass). It does not cover the Matsudai Ferry (¥200). The JR Pass also covers the JR train from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi, making the entire trip from Hiroshima to Miyajima free with a pass.
- Should I take the JR train or Hiroden tram to Miyajimaguchi?
- The JR train is faster (27 minutes from Hiroshima, ¥420) and covered by the JR Pass. The Hiroden tram is cheaper (70 minutes, ~¥300) and scenic but significantly slower. JR Pass holders should always use JR.
- How long is the ferry ride from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima?
- About 10 minutes. The JR Ferry runs every 5-15 minutes (first departure ~6:40, last ~20:50). The Matsudai Ferry runs approximately every 30 minutes with more limited hours.
- How much does it cost to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima?
- By JR: ¥420 train + ¥180 ferry = ¥600 (~$4) one way. By Hiroden tram + Matsudai ferry: ~¥300 + ¥200 = ~¥500 (~$3.30) one way. With a JR Pass using JR train + JR Ferry, the entire journey is free.