About this tour
When Ben from our team booked this 3-hour ferry loop around Miyajima, we were after something quieter than the packed shrine crowds on the island itself. You depart from the opposite shore and circle the World Heritage site by water, spotting Itsukushima-jinja and seven other shrines from the sea. The angle here is genuinely different — you're seeing Miyajima from the water, and locals reckon the island's silhouette mirrors Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Lunch is a bento of anago (conger eel), which feels fitting given you're on the water. It's a slower-paced alternative to the standard island walk-around, best for anyone keen on a bit of maritime perspective without the temple queues.
Highlights
- Circumnavigate Miyajima by ferry, not by foot like everyone else.
- Eight shrines visible from the water in one gentle loop.
- Anago bento lunch included — fresh conger eel, properly prepared.
- Departure from Miyahama Onsen, quieter than the main island jetty.
- Island silhouette supposedly mirrors Kannon's reclining form.
- Sea-level views of peaks and sacred structures unfold slowly.
- Three hours feels unhurried, not squeezed in.
What to expect
Ben found this tour a refreshing antidote to Miyajima's terrestrial tourist gauntlet. You'll head out from Miyahama Onsen on the mainland side, board the ferry, and spend the better part of three hours gently circling the island. The pace is contemplative — you're not racing between viewpoints; instead, the shrines and landscape reveal themselves as you move through the water. Weather and tides shape the exact route, so flexibility is baked in. The lunch arrives partway through and is decent enough: anago bento that tastes fresher than a quick onshore grab.
The real win is the vantage. From the water, Miyajima's spiritual reputation feels less abstract — you see why people have revered it for centuries. The downside is straightforward: it's still a group outing, the boat rocks if seas are choppy, and there are no onboard loos, so you need to sort that beforehand. Winter winds can be bracing, summer sun relentless. But if you've already done the shrine shuffle on foot, this angle genuinely adds something.
What travellers say
- Water-based perspective shifts Miyajima from crowded to contemplative.
- Eight shrines and island peaks unfold at a walkable, manageable pace.
- Fresh anago bento lunch included — no upselling or poor-quality food.
- Suits families, mixed fitness levels, and anyone over 7 years old.
- Route flexibility based on conditions shows realistic, honest scheduling.
- No onboard toilets; pre-tour bathroom access is non-negotiable.
- Shared-group tour means late arrivals result in 100% cancellation fees.
- Weather and sea conditions can shift the route unexpectedly.
- Summer sun and winter wind require serious preparation; drink not included.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This beats the standard 'visit Miyajima' tick-box. You'll see the island without fighting crowds at the famous torii gate. The included bento is a solid touch. Water views from a moving platform feel more meditative than rushed temple visits. Works for families with kids over 7 and mixed fitness levels — you're mostly sitting.
No onboard toilets means you must go before departure; once you're on the water, you're committed. Summer heat and winter wind are real — bring layers and sunscreen or waterproofs accordingly. Rough seas can cause delays or route changes; the tour operator reserves that right. Drinks aren't included, so bring your own. Infants must sit on laps. If you're part of a shared tour and run late, they'll leave without you and charge 100% cancellation. Groups are mixed, so you won't have a private boat. Service animals are allowed, but confirm in advance.
Three hours total. Wear comfortable, movable clothes. Bring water and your own beverages. Show up early from Miyahama Onsen. Check the weather forecast — cancellations due to storms are communicated by 3 PM the day before with full refunds.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.