Welcome to a new chapter in our series about our cruise experience through Korea and Japan. After Kagoshima, today we arrive in Hiroshima!
When planning our excursions during this cruise through Japan, we decided to organize our visit to Hiroshima by prioritizing the most challenging parts first. Although the Peace Park is an emblematic site related to the atomic bomb, we had already had the opportunity to visit a similar experience in Nagasaki. Therefore, we chose to dedicate the first part of the day to Miyajima, a UNESCO World Heritage island, where the Itsukushima Shrine is located with its impressive Ootorii Gate (a wooden torii built over the sea). This place offered us a unique and different experience, and the photographs we had seen had left us amazed.
The plan was to visit Miyajima first, due to its greater complexity in terms of transportation, and then return to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Park, which is more accessible from the port. However, the journey to the island turned out to be more complicated than expected, and we finally didn’t have enough time to visit the Peace Park. Nevertheless, we had the opportunity to see many places in the city during our taxi ride, and the driver explained different areas to us, some of which still preserve ruins from the tragedy.
Let’s start from the beginning of the day with the ship’s arrival in Hiroshima. Just like on previous days, it was very beautiful, as we saw numerous islets with lush vegetation; they are rocky islets where trees reach practically to the sea. It was a sunny day, the landscape was spectacular, the combination of the sea and the many small green islands is one of the times we’ve most taken advantage of our cabin balcony, and the number of photos in our phone gallery is good proof of that.
Once we were notified that we had arrived at the port, permission to disembark was first given to those who had excursions booked with the cruise line and then to the rest. This is a standard procedure, and it must be said that communication on this ship regarding this aspect was very good. When we heard over the loudspeakers that we could now leave, we went down and there was a line to exit, which meant losing a bit of time, but then, although there is Uber taxi in Hiroshima, we couldn’t connect with any driver and went directly to the queue outside the port to take a taxi.
I think what happens is that the cruise line’s excursions are expensive and many people go on their own, and since there are so many of us leaving at the same time, taxis and Ubers are not enough to provide quick service to so many people, hence the queues form and cause some time to be lost. This time can vary depending on the port; sometimes the service is quick, and other times you can easily be in line for 20 to 30 minutes.
We knew that to get to Miyajima Island, we had to take a ferry and we had several options. On one hand, there were direct ferries that departed from a point near the cruise port, but these had a longer duration, took more time to reach the island, and had less frequency. On the other hand, we could choose to go to the other side of Hiroshima, right at the closest point to Miyajima Island, and take a faster ferry with greater frequency, although this meant a longer taxi ride. As getting a taxi was so delayed, we had to start ruling out options and in the end decided on the second alternative, where the ferry journey was shorter, with more frequent departures.
As we mentioned earlier, choosing the taxi option allowed us to discover how Hiroshima city is divided, which has a peculiar shape. This is because the city is separated by several rivers that in turn divide into different streams, which make the city separated into six islands. So to cross the city, you have to go over quite a few bridges, and finally we would arrive at the port where we would take the ferry to reach Miyajima Island.
Ferry tickets can be purchased directly at the port through machines. That said, it’s important to bring cash as card payment is not accepted. Boats are constantly arriving and departing, so in less than 10 minutes you can normally board and set off for the island.
The journey is short and pleasant; the views as you approach are very beautiful, and you can immediately see the great Torii gate with the mountain in the background. The ferry has several decks, and you can stay outside to better enjoy the views or inside if you prefer to be more comfortable with air conditioning.
Upon disembarking on the island, we refreshed ourselves with some cold drinks that we bought at the port itself. In Japan, it’s common to find vending machines for drinks, which were perfect given the summer heat. We especially enjoyed the canned iced coffee and Aquarius, among the wide variety of options available.
Afterward, we headed toward the famous Ootorii Gate. The path was a pleasant walk with the beach on one side and shops on the other: souvenir stores, cafes, and restaurants.
What surprised us most was seeing deer roaming freely among the visitors. There were many, both small and adult, and according to what we were told, they are considered sacred.
From afar, we could already spot the imposing Ootorii Gate which, with the low tide, stood majestically on the sand.
Many tourists were taking photos around it, although it’s important to note that on this beach you can only walk, not swim. We took numerous photos, captivated by its impressive size, vibrant red color, and magnificent surroundings. It is one of the most emblematic places in Japan, standing out among the numerous torii throughout the country for its extraordinary dimensions and peculiar location.
In the distance, you could see the Itsukushima Shrine, which we later visited. It’s a quite extensive complex with various rooms connected by wooden corridors open to the air, all adorned with red columns. The shrine is built on pillars, creating the illusion that it floats on water when the tide rises. A truly spectacular sight.
The official cruise excursion most similar to our plan would be “Trip to Miyajima,” with a duration of 4 and a half hours and a price of €201.82 per adult and €157.76 per child. By organizing it on our own, these were the costs:
– The ferry ticket costs about 300¥ one way (includes a tourist tax of 100¥) and 200¥ return, in total 500¥, approximately €2.89 per person.
– The entrance to the Itsukushima temple costs 300¥, about €1.73 per person.
– The taxi between the cruise port and the ferry port to Miyajima cost almost €50 each way. Keep in mind that it’s quite a long distance and traffic can be heavy in some areas.
Being a group of 3 adults, the savings we made by organizing it ourselves compared to the excursion was approximately €450. It’s worth highlighting the excellent treatment from the taxi drivers, who were very grateful that we had chosen them for a longer journey than usual. They thanked us and explained curiosities about the places we were passing. On the return journey, the taxi driver even gave us a small tablecloth as a gift! In general, the customer service in all areas has been excellent and very respectful.
The next stop is Kochi! We invite you to read the next chapter of this series: Kochi – Castle and Commercial Area
