Miyajima Island: How to get to the famous Itsukushima Shrine in Japan

Is a tourist destination that attracts a large number of visitors in Japan, Miyajima island is famous for its stunning natural scenery and unique architectural works, deeply rooted in the culture of the land of the rising sun. When visiting this beautiful island, tourists cannot miss the Itsukushima Shrine - a distinctive cultural symbol here. Let's explore Miyajima island with Vietjet: How to get to the famous Itsukushima Shrine in Japan!

Admire the incredibly majestic beauty of Miyajima island.

1. A brief introduction to Miyajima island

Miyajima island is located in the Seto Inland Sea region of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, about 30 minutes from the city center. Despite its small area and a population of about 2000 residents, the island boasts pristine yet magnificent natural scenery. Miyajima island is also considered a "sacred sanctuary" as it preserves great cultural and historical values through ancient architectural works.

Some famous tourist spots that you cannot miss when visiting Miyajima island are: Daishoin Temple - the oldest temple on the island, notable for its beautiful natural scenery and especially the vibrant red of maple leaves in autumn; Mount Misen - the highest point on the island, where you can capture the entire view of Miyajima in your sight. And we cannot forget the Itsukushima Shrine along with the famous Torii gate - the most sacred symbol on this island!

2. Guide to getting to Miyajima island and the Itsukushima Torii

2.1 How to get to Miyajima island

Airplane is the most convenient means for you to travel from Vietnam to Japan. Currently, Vietjet has many direct flights from Vietnam to Hiroshima with prices starting from 390,000 VND (excluding taxes and fees). To get the best price and have flexibility in your travel time, please book 1-2 months in advance!

There are two ways to get to Miyajima island as Vietjet suggests:

Method 1: From Hiroshima station, visitors can take the JR Sanyo train to Miyajimaguchi station in about 30 minutes; then from the station, walk to the JR ferry terminal in just about 5 minutes to board the ferry to Miyajima island. The ferry ride takes about 10 minutes to reach the island

Visitors can choose the ferry ticket to Miyajima from the JR ferry terminal to balance their budget.

Method 2: Go directly to Miyajima by the Aquanet Hiroshima high-speed ferry from the Motoyasu ferry terminal, near the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. However, this way to Miyajima is more expensive than the previous one. Additionally, the ferry may not operate when the tide is low. Therefore, visitors should check the tide schedule and departure times in advance.

2.2 Getting to the Itsukushima Torii shrine

To reach the Itsukushima shrine, you just need to follow the signs and walk from the Miyajima ferry terminal to the shrine. The travel time is only about 10 minutes. This is when visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery around, leaving behind the worries of the city to step into the “paradise amidst reality” and begin a journey of healing from within.

The Itsukushima shrine emerges between the clear blue sea.

3. Explore the Itsukushima shrine - A world cultural heritage

3.1 The history of the Itsukushima shrine

The shrine - also known as the Itsukushima Shrine, is said to have been built in 593 to worship the deities who protected the people from natural disasters and wars. Later, in 1168, the lord Tairano Kiyomori rebuilt the shrine and preserved its magnificent beauty to this day.

In 1996, the shrine was recognized by UNESCO as a “World Cultural Heritage” and became one of the legendary symbols of the Land of the Rising Sun.

The serene beauty amidst the blue sea of the Itsukushima shrine.

3.2 Admiring the cultural and spiritual beauty along with impressive architecture

The Itsukushima Shrine is one of the top “must-visit” photo spots if travelers have the chance to visit Japan. It is a unique combination of magnificent nature and human hands that have built timeless architectural works.

The shrine resembles a harbor on the sea, rising above the water and completely separated from other areas of Miyajima island. When viewed from afar, you will see the shrine with its bright red lacquer hidden in the clear blue sea, creating a magical, poetic yet grand scene. This beautiful sight is praised as one of the top 03 most beautiful landscapes in Japan.

In addition, the Itsukushima shrine also carries a distinctive spiritual beauty with an incredibly sacred space: long wooden corridors, altars that bring a sense of peace and tranquility, very suitable for those seeking silence away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Moreover, the shrine also has prayer rituals that provide a unique spiritual value for both domestic and international visitors.

3.3 Attractions at the Itsukushima shrine

When visiting the Itsukushima shrine, travelers must definitely check-in at the following locations:

Torii Gate: the most prominent landmark in the temple area with its bright red color standing out against the sea. When the tide is low, visitors can walk right up to the base of the gate to admire the structure in detail and capture beautiful photos, especially when the sunset light shines, making the scenery incredibly magnificent and magical. Over the years, the Torii gate has stood tall amidst the sea and sky, exuding a sturdy and majestic beauty.

The Torii Gate is a must-see when exploring Miyajima island.

Soribashi Bridge: The entrance to the Itsukushima shrine. Built in 1557, the bridge still retains its unique architecture and ancient beauty. Due to its steep slope, it is often only used for special events and not for daily visitor traffic.
Main Hall: is the main building located about 160m from the Torii gate. This is the area with the highest energy of the shrine. Besides the worship area, there is also a stage inside the hall for Bugaku performances, a traditional Japanese art form.

I hope the information provided by Vietjet will help you have a complete and wonderful trip to Miyajima island.

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