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Getting aroundBy MotoUpdated

Hiroshima to Miyajima (2026): JR, ¥240 Tram or Direct Boat

JR from Hiroshima Station takes about 28 minutes to Miyajimaguchi, then a 10-minute ferry. Tram: ¥240 flat. Peace Park boat: ¥2,400. Plus ¥100 tax.

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Every figure is checked against the sources listed below. See sources

A JR Miyajima Ferry boat on the water off Miyajima, with the island's wooded mountains behind
そらみみ · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

From Hiroshima Station, take the JR San-yo Main Line to Miyajimaguchi (宮島口) and a ferry across: the train takes about 28 minutes and the crossing about 10.[1][13],[4] If you start downtown without a rail pass, the Hiroden streetcar is a flat ¥240 to its own Miyajimaguchi stop.[8] If you start at the Peace Park and want one seat all the way, the direct boat costs ¥2,400 one way.[11] Every ferry route adds the ¥100 Miyajima Visitor Tax.[12]

Key facts

  • Fastest from Hiroshima Station: JR to Miyajimaguchi, about 28 minutes, then about 10 minutes by ferry.[1][13],[4]
  • Cheapest without a pass: Hiroden streetcar ¥240, then the Matsudai ferry at ¥200 one way plus the ¥100 tax.[8][5]
  • Direct from Peace Park: Aqua Net boat, 45 minutes on the October 21, 2026 timetable, ¥2,400 one way for adults, tax not included.[11][11]
  • JR Pass: covers the JR ferry, but you still pay the ¥100 tax.[3]
  • Last ferry back (regular days): JR 22:14, Matsudai 20:15.[4][6]
  • IC cards: accepted on the JR ferry, the Matsudai ferry and the streetcar; not on the Aqua Net boat.[2],[1][5][10][11]

Which route should I take?

Decide by where you start and whether you hold a JR pass. From Hiroshima Station, the JR train is more than twice as fast as the streetcar. From the Peace Park, the streetcar or the direct boat avoids a trip back to the station.

Open in Google Maps
JR train + ferryHiroden streetcar + ferryAqua Net direct boat
StartHiroshima StationHiroshima Station or any downtown stop, such as Genbaku Dome-maeMotoyasu Pier, Peace Park[11]
Time to the islandAbout 28 minutes by train, then about 10 minutes by ferry[1][13],[4]66 minutes from Hiroshima Station, then about 10 minutes by ferry[9][13],[4]45 minutes on the October 21, 2026 timetable, no change[11]
Adult fare, one wayJR fare, plus the ferry fare and the ¥100 tax¥240, plus ¥200 (Matsudai) and the ¥100 tax[8][5]¥2,400 plus the ¥100 tax[11]
JR PassJR ferry covered; the tax is not[3]Not coveredNot covered
IC cardAccepted on the JR ferry[2],[1]Accepted on the streetcar and the Matsudai ferry[10][5]Not accepted[11]
FrequencyJR ferry four an hour in the daytime[4]Streetcar every 10 minutes[9]Fixed sailings; 8:30 to 17:30 on October 21, 2026[11]

JR Pass holders should take the JR route: the JR ferry is on the pass, and only the tax is extra.[3] Without a pass, the streetcar suits travellers staying downtown, because its fare is the same ¥240 from any stop.[8]

JR ferry or Matsudai ferry: does it matter?

Not much. Both cross from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima in about 10 minutes.[13],[4] Take the ferry whose pier is nearer to your train: JR’s terminal is reached through the underpass from JR Miyajimaguchi Station, and the Matsudai pier is about 1 minute on foot from the Hiroden station.[1][7]

A ferry moored at the Miyajimaguchi pier, seen from the sea, with the mainland town behind
Ferry at Miyajimaguchi pier, seen from the sea Sashimiteishoku · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
JR West Miyajima FerryMiyajima Matsudai Kisen
Adult fareCovered by the JR Pass and the JR-WEST Rail Pass[3]¥200 one way, ¥400 round trip[5]
Visitor tax¥100 charged separately[3]¥100 charged on top on the way to the island[5]
PaymentIC card straight to the gate, or a ticket from the counter or machine[2],[1]Cash, IC card, contactless credit card, MOBIRY DAYS[5]
First and last (regular timetable)First from Miyajimaguchi 6:25, last from Miyajima 22:14[4]First from Miyajimaguchi 7:15, last from Miyajima 20:15[6]
ExtraSailings from Miyajimaguchi between 9:10 and 16:10 are Great Torii services, at the same travel time[4],[2]Pier right next to the Hiroden station, step-free[7]

The JR ferry’s Great Torii services take you closest to the torii without adding time, so between 9:10 and 16:10 the JR ferry is the better choice if you want the view on the way over.[4],[2]

Both operators switch to other timetables on busy days, so the times above are for regular days only.[4][6]

How do I pay the Miyajima Visitor Tax?

You pay it with your boat ticket. Hatsukaichi City charges ¥100 per person per visit, and the ferry operators add it to the fare and collect it.[12] On the JR ferry it is charged separately even if you ride on a rail pass.[3] The Aqua Net boat’s fares also do not include it.[11]

If you will visit the island many times in a year, the city also offers a ¥500 annual payment.[12] You make it at Hatsukaichi City Hall or its Miyajima or Ono branch by the 10th of the month before your first visit, so it does not work for a trip planned at short notice.[12]

How do I go by JR and the JR ferry?

  1. Board a San-yo Main Line train at Hiroshima Station

    Take a JR San-yo Main Line train bound for Iwakuni and get off at Miyajimaguchi. The ride takes about 28 minutes.[1]

  2. Walk to the ferry terminal

    Leave JR Miyajimaguchi Station through the ticket gates and follow the underpass to the Miyajimaguchi Passenger Terminal Building.[1]

  3. Pay at the JR ferry gate

    With a transit IC card, go straight to the ferry gate. Otherwise buy a ticket at the counter or a ticket machine; JR Pass holders still pay the ¥100 tax.[2],[1][3]

  4. Cross to Miyajima

    The crossing takes about 10 minutes. Between 9:10 and 16:10, the sailings from Miyajimaguchi are Great Torii services.[13],[4][4],[2]

Once you land, the Miyajima guide explains how long to plan on the island, the shrine’s hours and when the tide lets you walk to the torii.

How do I go by streetcar from downtown?

Take Hiroden line 2 to Hiroden-miyajima-guchi. From Hiroshima Station it runs every 10 minutes and takes 66 minutes, and you can board it at downtown stops such as Genbaku Dome-mae on the way.[9][8] The fare is a flat ¥240 for adults and ¥120 for children, paid when you get off.[8]

Touch your IC card on the reader when you board and again when you get off; the streetcars accept nine cards, including Suica, PASMO and ICOCA.[10] At Hiroden-miyajima-guchi, the Matsudai Kisen pier is about 1 minute away without steps, which also helps with a suitcase or a stroller.[7] For the full picture of which IC card to get, see the IC card comparison.

Is the direct boat from Peace Park worth it?

It is worth it if you are already at the Peace Park and value one seat over the price. Aqua Net Hiroshima’s boat leaves from Motoyasu Pier, 150 m south of the Atomic Bomb Dome; on the October 21, 2026 timetable each sailing to Miyajima took 45 minutes.[11][11] It costs ¥2,400 one way and ¥4,400 round trip for adults, without the ¥100 tax.[11]

Three things make it less flexible than the ferries. It takes cash and credit cards but no IC cards.[11] Bookings close the day before; on the day, you buy at the ticket office.[11] And the boat runs on tidal rivers, so sailings can be cancelled or rerouted when the tide is too high or too low.[11] The sailings are also fixed: on October 21, 2026, the first boat left Peace Park at 8:30 and the last boat left Miyajima at 17:30.[11]

Which pass covers this?

The Japan Rail Pass and the JR-WEST Rail Pass cover the JR ferry.[3] The Japan Rail Pass review explains whether the pass pays off for your whole trip. Neither the streetcar nor the Aqua Net boat is on a JR pass.

If you would rather not race the last boat, where to stay in Hiroshima or on Miyajima weighs a night on the island against a city base.

Frequently asked questions

Does Suica or ICOCA work on the Miyajima ferries?

On the JR ferry and the Matsudai ferry, yes. JR ferry passengers with an IC card go straight to the gate, and Matsudai accepts transit IC cards for regular fares.[2],[1][5] The Aqua Net boat does not accept them.[11]

Is the Miyajima ferry included in the JR Pass?

The JR West Miyajima Ferry is, and so is the JR-WEST Rail Pass. The ¥100 visitor tax is charged separately.[3]

Do I need to book the ferry?

No booking is needed for the two ferries: pay at the gate with an IC card or buy a ticket at the pier.[2],[1][5] Only the Aqua Net boat takes bookings, up to the day before.[11]

Is the route step-free with a stroller or wheelchair?

The route from the Hiroden station to the Matsudai Kisen pier has no steps.[7] The Miyajima guide covers barrier-free access and wheelchair loans on the island.

Sources

  1. Access & Ferry Boarding Area (West Japan Railway Miyajima Ferry) (checked )
  2. West Japan Railway Miyajima Ferry (home) (checked )
  3. Fare (West Japan Railway Miyajima Ferry) (checked )
  4. Time Schedule (West Japan Railway Miyajima Ferry) (checked )
  5. 運賃 (Miyajima Matsudai Kisen, fares) (checked )
  6. 運航ダイヤ (Miyajima Matsudai Kisen, timetable) (checked )
  7. 乗り場案内 (Miyajima Matsudai Kisen, boarding guide) (checked )
  8. Streetcar Fares (Hiroshima Electric Railway) (checked )
  9. Schedules (Hiroshima Electric Railway) (checked )
  10. How to Ride the Streetcar (Hiroshima Electric Railway) (checked )
  11. World Heritage Sea Route (Aqua Net Hiroshima) (checked )
  12. 宮島訪問税の概要 (Hatsukaichi City, Miyajima Visitor Tax) (checked )
  13. アクセス (Miyajima Tourist Association, access) (checked )