What other travelers are saying about Miyajima Fireworks Festival
The island is famous for the Itsukushima shrine and the floating torii gate. But other than this, there is also the famous souvenir street near the shrine. You can buy souvenirs there and try local food. The place is famous for oysters farms, so grilled or raw oysters and oyster curry bread are local delicacies. Hiroshima is famous for lemons so any lemon drinks can be nice here. Miyajima is known for maple leaf shaped cakes.
Beautiful island! I came as a day excursion and I could enjoy my time here, but if you have the chance, maybe stay one night at one of the hotels so you can more easily avoid the masses of tourist that come as flocks and also enjoy the shine at night (seeing some pictures online, it looks beautiful with the lanterns and illuminations!). You may also have a better chance of interacting with deers, although you’re not supposed to feed these ones (at Nara you can).
Such a beautiful place, near a city that has known such horrors in the past…
We took the long, scenic and an enjoyable bus ride going to the ferry station. Bus rides in my country is not always pleasant so I relished this one. We looked for a lunch spot first before heading off Miyajima.
Next ride was a ferry boat-a short but equally enjoyable one with the mountain and sea views.
The island itself deserved half or even one whole day of exploration. There so many places to be visit, take pictures, buy souvenirs from, dine or simply sit and enjoy the nature with the deer. Upon entering the island, we were greeted by the deer gently resting along the “streets”. According to Google : “Approximately 500 deer on Miyajima are tame and socialized to human presence, though they are still wild animals and can be aggressive in seeking food. They have learned to bow for snacks, which are available for purchase, and have also been known to eat paper maps and other human items” Food crackers for the deer are available for only JPY200 and this must be the only food to be fed to them.
There’s enough space for everybody despite the numerous number of tourists in the island. There’s a recommended spot for taking a good picture with the Torii gate. The queue moves fast and it’s often the person at the back taking the pictures of the people in front-regardless of race :)
Nice island to walk around and see the small little shops and the famous shrine. Weather was cooling and was not hot. We took the ferry from Grand Prince Hiroshima. Ticket costs 4500 yen round trip per person.
Breathtaking place with a serene and spiritual atmosphere. The iconic floating torii gate is stunning, especially during high tide when it appears to hover above the water. Walking around the island is a peaceful experience, with beautiful shrines, friendly deer, and scenic trails.
Authorities enforce strict crowd control, monitor weather conditions, and have emergency services on standby. There are designated viewing areas and clear signage to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Many visitors arrive early in the day to secure good viewing spots, bringing mats and picnics. Some locals participate in traditional rituals at Itsukushima Shrine, while others take advantage of the festive atmosphere to enjoy local food and crafts.
Visitors can take ferries from the mainland, with additional services often provided during the festival. It's recommended to use public transportation, as parking on the island is limited, and traffic can be heavy.
Apart from the main viewing area near the shrine, other popular spots include the Mount Misen observation deck, the area near the Miyajima Pier, and boats on the Seto Inland Sea, offering varied and stunning perspectives.
