Miyajima’s sights sit in a small area behind the ferry pier: Itsukushima Shrine is 10–15 minutes’ walk from the pier along the Omotesando shopping street, and almost everything else, from the five-storied pagoda to Daisho-in temple and Momijidani Park, is within about 30 minutes on foot. Only Mount Misen needs the ropeway or a 1.5–2 hour climb. The map below shows the town and the mountain, followed by walking times from the pier and the official maps you can download.
Walking times come from our guides to each sight and the Miyajima Tourist Association, checked in October 2026.
Map of Miyajima
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. The marker is Itsukushima Shrine; the ferry pier is on the shore to the northeast, and Mount Misen rises to the south. Open the full map.
Where everything is: walking times from the pier
| Sight | From the ferry pier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Omotesando shopping street | Starts at the pier | About 350 m, covered, leads toward the shrine |
| Mikasa-no-hama beach (view of the Great Torii) | About 10 min | 2 min on to the shrine entrance |
| Itsukushima Shrine | 10–15 min | Along the shore or through the shopping street |
| Senjokaku and the five-storied pagoda | About 10 min | On the hill above the shrine; steep steps at the end |
| Treasure Hall | About 15 min | Directly to the left as you exit the shrine |
| Momijidani Park | About 20 min | 5 min from the shrine |
| Ropeway (Momijidani station) | About 30 min (20 to the park + 8 uphill) | Or the free shuttle bus from the park entrance |
| History and Folklore Museum | About 20 min | About 10 min beyond the shrine, toward the aquarium |
| Daisho-in temple | 25–30 min | 5–10 min from the shrine exit; start of the Daisho-in trail up Mount Misen |
| Miyajima Aquarium | About 25 min | Closed December 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 |
| Mount Misen summit (535 m) | Ropeway, then about 30 min on foot | Or 1.5–2 hours up by trail |
The town in four areas
- The pier and the shopping street. The ferry pier is the island’s front door. Omotesando, the covered shopping street of food stalls and souvenir shops, runs from here toward the shrine. See where to eat on Miyajima.
- The shrine and the waterfront. Itsukushima Shrine stands over the bay, with the Great Torii out in the water in front of it. Check the tide times: you can walk to the torii when the tide is below about 100 cm.
- The hill above the shrine. Senjokaku hall and the five-storied pagoda (covered for repairs until November 20, 2027) are on the small hill just above the shrine, which you pass on the way from the shopping street; Daisho-in temple is 5–10 minutes beyond the shrine exit, at the foot of Mount Misen.
- Momijidani and the mountain. Momijidani Park climbs the valley behind the shrine to the ropeway station. The ropeway runs in two stages to Shishiiwa station, and the summit is about 30 minutes’ walk beyond it.
Official maps to download
- Miyajima Tourist Association: the English sightseeing map (PDF, 2025), plus an island map, a guide map, an Omotesando shopping street map and a Mount Misen map on its maps page.
- Miyajima Ropeway: a walking map of the summit area, from Shishiiwa station to the top.
- Ministry of the Environment: a nature guide map (PDF) of the island’s forest and trails.
A map is most useful on Mount Misen: the tourist association notes that several accidents have followed wrong turns at the start of the trails.
Getting around the island
You walk. The sights are close together, and cars are kept to a minimum on the island in the daytime. The only transport you will need is the ropeway (from 9:00; last car up 16:00 and down 16:30; return 2,000 yen) and the free shuttle bus from the Momijidani Park entrance to the ropeway station, about every 20 minutes from 9:50 with no service from 12:10 to 13:10. Drivers leave the car at Miyajimaguchi. How long to allow, and timed plans, are in our Miyajima day trip itinerary; what to see is in things to do in Miyajima.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Itsukushima Shrine from the ferry?
About 10–15 minutes on foot, along the shore or through the Omotesando shopping street.
Can you walk around Miyajima?
Yes. The shrine, the pagoda, Senjokaku, Daisho-in and Momijidani Park are all within about 30 minutes of the pier. Only Mount Misen needs the ropeway or a long hike.
Where can I get a map of Miyajima?
Download the Miyajima Tourist Association’s English map (PDF) and the Mount Misen map from its website, or use the ropeway’s summit walking map.
How long is the hike to the top of Mount Misen?
1.5 to 2 hours up by the Daisho-in, Momijidani or Omoto trail (the tourist association’s figures), or about 30 minutes on foot from the top ropeway station.
Sources: Miyajima Tourist Association (maps, model course walking times, hiking courses); Miyajima Ropeway (hours, fares, shuttle bus, summit map); Ministry of the Environment (nature guide map); Miyajima Aquarium (closure); Itsukushima Shrine (works schedule); our guides to each sight for walking times. Checked October 2026. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
