Miyajima attractions

Kagura troupes from Hiroshima Prefecture perform the traditional art of Hiroshima Kagura on a weekly basis. Based on Japanese mythology and classical literature, the performance pairs graceful dance with lively music while performers wear ornate costumes and masks. English subtitles are available, so you can follow the stories and enjoy a closer encounter with this regional form of Japanese culture. Occasionally, a backstage tour will be offered after the show; this requires an extra fee. These tours typically include explanations from the performers and an opportunity to meet them. You may be able to try on costumes and masks, take commemorative photos and ask questions directly to the artists after they have finished dancing. If you would like a deeper insight into Kagura, the backstage experience may be of interest.

On this thoughtful walking tour of Hiroshima, an experienced local guide will lead you through the events and decisions that culminated in the atomic bombing on 6 August 1945. Through clear explanation and open discussion, the guide will examine the historical, political and military context behind that day, and explore the immediate and long-term impact on the city and its people. The tone is informative rather than judgmental, giving space for reflection as the history is explained. As you move through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you will visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and pause to consider how the city recovered and rebuilt. Along the way, the tour will offer historical insight and context that help explain the wider global circumstances surrounding the bombing. This experience is suited to travellers who want a deeper, more nuanced understanding of one of the 20th century’s most significant events.

On this exclusive day tour you’ll see the essence of Hiroshima with a friendly English-speaking guide. The tour departs from Hiroshima Station and takes you to the city’s most important landmarks, offering historical context and local insight as you move through each site. You’ll visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, a powerful symbol of resilience, then spend time in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum to learn about the impact of the 1945 bombing. Later, travel to Miyajima Island, where you’ll explore the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the serene Daishoin Temple. Along the way you’ll enjoy Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a local savoury pancake, served at a charming restaurant on the island. The tour is presented as all-inclusive and aims to combine history, culture and local cuisine in a single day before returning to Hiroshima Station.

You will arrive at a kyudo archery range and dress in an authentic uniform, including the dogi (upper wear) and hakama (lower wear). Kyudo is a Japanese martial art that uses a Japanese bow and aims to bring complete focus of mind and body. Unlike western archery, every movement follows a traditional routine that shows respect for the equipment and for the opponent. The session includes a brief explanation of the art and live demonstrations to introduce you to those formal movements. With the instruction you receive, you will learn to shoot arrows at the target and experience both the challenge and the satisfaction of the practice, especially while wearing the traditional hakama and armour. Although in kyudo you are usually not allowed to pull the arrow until you have mastered the basics, this lesson allows complete beginners to enjoy an authentic kyudo experience. The activity also offers good opportunities for photos or short videos to share with friends.

On this group walking tour in Hiroshima, you will explore the city's wartime history and its later transformation into a symbol of peace and resilience. As you move through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and pause at the Atomic Bomb Dome, your guide will explain the events of August 6, 1945 and the stories behind these key landmarks. Along the way, you will hear about the lives of survivors and the personal and social impact of the bombing. Guides on the tour hold degrees in Peace Studies and bring local expertise and sensitive, informed context to the sites you visit. Entrance to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Hall is included, so you will be able to see exhibits that deepen your understanding of the events and their aftermath. The experience will offer a thoughtful perspective on how the city and its people have responded and rebuilt since that day.

Explore Hiroshima City by e‑bike in a small group and enjoy a longer, 10 km ride that reveals the city’s charm and spirit beyond its tragic past. The initial part of the route is an easy loop around the city, ridden at a comfortable pace so you can take in the sights without feeling rushed. Along the way, your experienced, humorous, native English‑speaking guide will share history and cultural insights and point out the best spots for photos and scenic views. Be aware that the route finishes with a moderately steep hill, so you should be fit enough to manage that section. You will have an opportunity to stop for snacks and drinks during the tour. Helmets are not required; if you would prefer one, please let the host know ahead of the tour. The e‑bike is available for your use all day, even after the tour finishes. The official bicycle height recommendation is 145 cm (4'9), so please check that the bike suits you before you start.

Beginning in Hiroshima, you’ll take a ferry across to Miyajima Island to explore Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic “floating” torii. As you move through the island’s narrow streets, you’ll encounter charming shops and sample local specialties. Freely roaming deer add to the atmosphere, and the shrine’s waterfront setting will give you a clear sense of Miyajima’s natural beauty and cultural importance. After returning to Hiroshima, the tour will either end for those who visited only Miyajima or continue into Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. There you’ll see the Atomic Bomb Dome and other monuments honouring the 1945 bombing. Along the way you’ll experience a blend of history, culture and landscape, with transport and logistics arranged for you to make the day as smooth as possible.

Away from the tourist spot, you'll step into the quiet, relaxing atmosphere of a 300-year-old temple. In this peaceful setting you will dress in traditional kimono from a selection of more than 100 styles. Staff will provide everything needed to dress you, so you can focus on choosing a favourite and enjoying the experience. As you move through the lesson, a tea master will conduct a tea ceremony and explain the manners for drinking Matcha. You will also learn how to make Matcha tea and taste the tea you prepare. Tea is always served with a sweet. During the session, staff will take photographs; you may receive these by answering a short questionnaire. The combination of the historic temple, kimono dress-up and hands-on tea ceremony aims to create a calm, memorable encounter with traditional Japanese culture.

An expert-led walking tour offers a new way to see Hiroshima. Led by a PhD scholar, the walk will guide you through the city’s iconic landmarks and share the powerful stories behind them. Along the way, you will learn about Hiroshima’s history and its inspiring journey from tragedy to peace, as the scholar provides context and insight that deepen your understanding. You can choose a time that suits you best. During summer, evening tours have been added to avoid the daytime heat, so you may opt for a day or night experience. As you move through the city, the pace is designed to let you take in the places and stories that define Hiroshima’s heart.

Explore Hiroshima with a live professional guide who will share real-time commentary and historical stories as you travel the city on a comfortable, air‑conditioned tour bus. Along the way you’ll learn about the city’s past and its cultural landmarks while enjoying hassle‑free transport between sites. You’ll visit Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, a celebrated Shinto site known for its striking red buildings that seem to float on the sea. From the ferry you’ll be able to photograph the Great Torii from the nearest location. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and you’ll enter the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum when it is open. If the museum is closed, you will instead be taken to the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims to continue learning about the events and the importance of peace.

On this guided tour, you'll have the opportunity to visit the major sites of Hiroshima and Miyajima. In Hiroshima, you'll spend time at the Hiroshima Peace Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, where you'll be able to learn more about the events of World War II. On Miyajima, a small island outside Hiroshima, you'll have a chance to see wild deer as well as the Itsukushima Shrine, which faces the water.

A walking tour of Hiroshima led by knowledgeable guides who have dedicated years to sharing the city's history will take you through its most moving sites. Along the way you will hear powerful testimonies and stories from atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha), helping you form a direct, human connection to the events of the past. You will see iconic memorials such as the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Cenotaph and the Children's Peace Monument, and you will also visit lesser-known yet important locations including the Gates of Peace, the Aioi T-Bridge (the actual target of the atomic bomb), the Peace Watch and Peace Clock Tower, the Mother and Baby in the Storm, the Korean Monuments and the Burial Mound. The tour finishes at Hondori Street, a lively area full of local restaurants and independent shops. Here you can savour authentic regional flavours, from street food to traditional dishes, while taking in the market atmosphere. The combination of eyewitness accounts and the city’s memorials offers a thoughtful, grounded way to learn about Hiroshima’s history and to reflect as you explore.

This cruise around Miyajima (officially Itsukushima) takes you out onto the calm Ono Seto Sea for a slow, raft-style voyage aboard the HANAIKADA. As you dine on meals prepared with seasonal ingredients, you will see Miyajima — the World Heritage Site of Itsukushima Shrine — from the water and experience the island often called “God’s Island” from a different angle. The boat moves gently, letting the sea and the shrine form the focus of the voyage. HANAIKADA is a special raft-type ship that rides low on the water, so you will sit almost level with the sea and feel the Seto Inland Sea close at hand. Along the way you will pass the oyster rafts that float in Ono Seto, a local sight unique to this area. The combination of the low-profile craft, the tranquil sea and the views of Miyajima and Ono creates a quiet, intimate atmosphere — a luxurious, special time that can feel as if you have the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea to yourself.

This experience takes place in a 300-year-old Zen temple set away from the busy tourist spots, so the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. The simple, peaceful setting includes a Japanese garden where you may take photos. You will take part in a traditional calligraphy lesson and learn to draw lines with a brush. Calligraphy was imported to Japan from China in the sixth century, and the instructor will ask you to check a sample carefully so you can copy the Chinese character. They will ask your name in advance to prepare it in Japanese phonetics, and you will practise writing your name in Japanese. Then you will write your character on a rice scoop (shamoji) — a lucky item in Miyajima — so you can bring that good luck home. You may take as many photographs as you like inside the temple and garden, and the staff will also take pictures of you during the lesson. The session offers a clear introduction to authentic Japanese culture, and wearing a kimono could make the experience feel even more special.

On this small-group tour you will visit the scenic island of Miyajima with a MagicalTrip Certified Guide. You will start at the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its floating torii gate, and hear about its history and cultural significance to Japan. As you move through the island, the guide will explain the role of Buddhism and the spiritual importance of Miyajima while you explore Daishoin Temple, stroll through Momijidani Park and see landmarks such as the five-storey pagoda and Senjokaku Hall. Along the way you will taste local specialties. The experience will end with fresh oysters and fried momiji dumplings, plus other sweet and savoury treats. The tour is operated by MagicalTrip, a TripAdvisor Best of the Best Award winner, and each experience is led by professionally trained guides who have been carefully selected to ensure quality and authenticity.