Miyajima Autumn Leaves Guide 2026: An Autumn Trip to One of Japan’s Three Great Views
Why Miyajima Is Special in Autumn and When to Go
Miyajima Island (Itsukushima), the “island where the gods dwell,” ranks among Japan’s Three Great Views. In autumn, the vermilion floating torii and red maple hillsides form a must-see scene. It is the most iconic autumn foliage destination near Hiroshima.
Miyajima’s 2026 autumn leaves are expected to peak mid to late November, roughly November 15 to 28. Around 700 maples in Momijidani Park turn red. With Itsukushima Shrine and Mt. Misen, they create richly layered colors. These two weeks are the safest bet.
Miyajima’s 3 Core Autumn Foliage Spots at a Glance
Miyajima’s maples stretch in layers from the seaside to the summit’s primeval forest. Momijidani Park, the top pick, sits at the foot of Mt. Misen’s primeval forest, and its famous Momiji Bridge over a small stream, under red leaves, looks like a classical Japanese painting.
Around the shrine, the maples are thinner than in the park. From the shrine, look toward the mountains: red hillsides frame the vermilion torii and halls. Mt. Misen’s ropeway lifts you to views of the Seto Inland Sea and red-and-yellow valleys.
Transport Pass Tips for Miyajima Autumn Foliage
You can use the JR West Rail Pass to get to Miyajima. If you also want to see other sights around Hiroshima, consider the Hiroshima Tourist Pass, which usually includes ferry or attraction discounts and can save a good amount on transport and admission fees.
JR West Miyajima Ferry and Miyajima Matsudai Kisen run ferries from Miyajimaguchi. The JR West Miyajima Ferry website lists one-way fares: ¥200 for adults, ¥100 for elementary school children. Check the latest schedules on official websites before you go.
Getting to Miyajima for Autumn Foliage
How to Get to Miyajima for the Autumn Leaves
Getting from central Hiroshima to Miyajima is easy. The trip has two stages, rail and ferry, and a transport pass can save you a fair amount on fares.
The ferry takes about 10 minutes one way. The Miyajima Ropeway official website says a free shuttle bus runs to Momijidani Station about every 20 minutes starting at 9:50, which saves you a walk of about 20 minutes. For the return trip, confirm the last ferry time in advance, especially if you plan to see the evening illuminations or a night cruise.
All the Transport Options at a Glance
- Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station: JR Sanyo Line, about 25-30 minutes
- City center to Miyajimaguchi Station (slow route): Hiroden (streetcar) Miyajima Line, about 50-70 minutes
- Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima Pier: JR West ferry or Miyajima Matsudai Kisen ferry, about 10 minutes
- Recommended passes: the JR West Rail Pass or the Hiroshima Tourist Pass, which usually include ferry discounts
Complete Guide to Miyajima’s Autumn Foliage Spots
Momijidani Park: Miyajima’s Core Autumn Foliage Spot
Momijidani Park lies at the foot of Mt. Misen’s primeval forest and stretches along the Momijidani River. About 700 maple trees, including iroha and large-leaf maples, reach peak red from mid to late November. It is the heart of Miyajima’s autumn foliage. Momijidani Park lies at the foot of misen’s primeval forest, along the Momijidani River.
The most famous spot is the vermilion Momiji Bridge, where red leaves and stream set each other off like a classical Japanese painting. The park is free and open daily. It’s a 20-minute walk (roughly 1.5 km) from Miyajima Pier, near Momijidani Station.
Autumn weekends are crowded, so go early in the morning to get photos with fewer people in them. Since momijidani park gets crowded on autumn weekends, going early in the morning helps.
Itsukushima Shrine: World Heritage Site and the Floating Torii
Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its vermilion great torii standing in the sea is Miyajima’s most classic landmark. It looks completely different at low tide and high tide, and as the tide rises and falls the light and reflection of the torii on the water change the scenery. The itsukushima shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its great torii standing in the sea.
Although the maples around the shrine are not as dense as in Momijidani Park, looking from the shrine toward the mountains you can capture the classic view of red-covered hillsides setting off the vermilion torii and shrine halls. It is a stop not to be missed on a Miyajima autumn itinerary.
Mt. Misen and the Miyajima Ropeway: A Bird’s-Eye View of the Autumn Colors
To avoid crowds or catch early leaves, take the Miyajima Ropeway up Mt. Misen. It links recirculating-type and alternating-type cable cars, a rare setup. The ride takes about 14 minutes, changing at Kayatani Station and ending at Shishiiwa Station. To avoid crowds or catch early leaves, you can take the miyajima ropeway up Mt. Misen.
As you climb, you look out over the whole Seto Inland Sea and valleys tinted red and yellow. After you get off, it is about a 30-minute walk to the Mt. Misen observatory at 535 meters, which offers an unobstructed 360-degree view and, in good weather, even distant islands and seascapes.
Mt. Misen Summit: The Site of the Eternal Flame Hall and Kuguriiwa
On sacred Mt. Misen, a fire on May 20, 2026 completely destroyed the Eternal Flame Hall (Kiezu no Reikado) and the Misen reception office near the summit. The site is closed; Daishoin is rebuilding it. Check official announcements before visiting.
Nearby is “Kuguriiwa,” a huge natural rock tunnel and a rather special geological feature in Mt. Misen’s primeval forest. Autumn colors dot the area, and it makes a good stop after you reach the top by ropeway.
The ropeway round trip takes about 1 hour, and getting to the summit and back takes about another hour, so allow at least 2 hours. Rest and recharge, then take the ropeway back down the same way.
Daishoin: Autumn Leaves at a 1,200-Year-Old Temple
Daishoin has a history of 1,200 years and is especially beautiful with red leaves around it. Besides Momijidani Park and Itsukushima Shrine, it is the third autumn foliage spot most often mentioned by locals and travel platforms, and the atmosphere inside the temple is solemn and quiet.
Beside the stone steps of the approach, the Kannon Hall enshrines the Eleven-Faced Kannon, and the Mani Hall enshrines Sanki Daigongen. The temple buildings layered with red leaves along the way make a favorite angle for photography lovers.
Statues of the Five Hundred Rakan line both sides of the stone steps inside the grounds, each with a different expression and pose. Paired with the red leaves in autumn, they are a very popular subject for photographers.
Omoto Park: A Locals’ Hidden Autumn Spot
Like Momijidani Park and Daishoin, Omoto Park sits in a stream-fed wind corridor, where cold breezes encourage the leaves to change and make the colors especially vivid. Locals recommend this hidden spot, which has noticeably fewer people than Momijidani Park. It suits travelers who want to enjoy the maples at a leisurely pace, away from the crowds.
The park is small but peaceful. A walk along the stream gives you quiet autumn colors that are completely different from the busy tourist core, and it is a hidden spot worth a special detour on a Miyajima autumn itinerary.
Because it is less well known, big tour groups rarely show up here even on peak-season weekends. It is a good place to take your time with a camera and enjoy a side of Miyajima that fewer people know.
Autumn Night Illuminations: Momijidani Park and Daishoin
Both Momijidani Park and Daishoin have held autumn leaf night illuminations (light-up events) in recent years. The scene looks completely different by day and by night, and maples lit by lights have a distinctly romantic atmosphere.
The great floating torii of Itsukushima Shrine is also lit at night. Together with the illuminated night maples, it is one of the most representative images of an autumn night on Miyajima.
In 2026 the Momijidani Park illumination runs from November 13 to December 6 with free admission. The Daishoin red maple illumination runs from November 17 to 29, 17:30 to 19:00 (admission was ¥1,000 in 2025, so check the current announcement).
Otorii Cruise: Night Yakatabune Boat Tour
To see the illuminated Itsukushima torii up close from the sea, try the “Otorii Cruise” night yakatabune (traditional houseboat) tour. The voyage takes about 25-30 minutes and combines night maples with the floating torii, an angle hard to get from a normal visit on land.
The boat slowly circles the great torii, with night lights and reflections on the water, making a romantic way to end the day. You must book at least 2 hours before departure, and you cannot board without a reservation.
![[Departing from Hiroshima] Miyajima & Itsukushima Shrine Floating Torii Gate, Free Time on Miyajima & Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Day Tour](https://image.kkday.com/image/get/w_1200%2Ch_630%2Cc_fill/s1.kkday.com/product_164104/20240306050356_X64Ob/jpg)
Tickets and Guided Tours
Here are the most useful tickets and experiences for Miyajima’s autumn foliage. Booking ahead saves you from queuing on site or being put on a standby list.
Miyajima Ropeway Ticket: The Easiest Way to the Summit
The Miyajima Ropeway links a recirculating-type and an alternating-type cable car, with a one-way ride of about 14 minutes (including the transfer at Kayatani Station). A round trip is ¥2,000 for adults and a one-way ticket is ¥1,100, the best choice for reaching the heights with the least effort.
On November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 to 23, 28 and 29, 2026, advance online reservations are required on those designated days. After you get off, it is about a 30-minute walk to the Mt. Misen observatory, where you can enjoy an unobstructed 360-degree view of the autumn colors.
Otorii Cruise Ticket: A Night Maple Cruise on the Sea
The night yakatabune tour takes about 25-30 minutes. Adult tickets are ¥2,000 and tickets for ages 5 through elementary school are ¥1,000, cash only. You can see the illuminated great torii up close from the sea, a special angle you can’t get from the shore.
Night departures run every 40 minutes from 17:55 to 21:15 and must be booked 2 hours before departure. Sailings with no bookings by 17:00 the day before are canceled.
Itsukushima Shrine Admission Ticket
The official Itsukushima Shrine website lists an adult admission fee of ¥300. From October 15 to November 30, it opens 6:30 to 17:30. The shrine office sells omamori charms and goshuin stamps (about ¥500). The floating torii looks different at low and high tide.
Check the tide times for the day before planning your visit and photo time. At high tide the torii seems to float on the sea, and at low tide you can walk right up to the base of the torii.
Hiroshima Tourist Pass: Save on Transport and Admission Together
It covers ferry and some nearby attraction discounts. If your itinerary includes both central Hiroshima (the Atomic Bomb Dome, Shukkeien Garden and so on) and Miyajima, this pass is usually better value than buying tickets separately.
Check the latest prices and coverage on the official website before you go. Some versions can also be used toward streetcar fares in central Hiroshima.
Accommodation Tips for Your Trip
Miyajima has few places to stay on the island, but they have a special atmosphere. If you want to avoid the daytime crowds and fully enjoy the night maples and the shrine in the early morning, a night on the island is well worth it.
On Miyajima vs. in Miyajimaguchi: Two Very Different Stays
Staying at an inn on Miyajima gives you the quiet approach and shoreline after the visitors leave in the evening. Visit Itsukushima Shrine in the morning, before the crowds arrive, to photograph the torii with no one around. You can also easily enjoy the evening maple illuminations or the night yakatabune cruise without needing to worry about the last ferry.
If you don’t mind taking the ferry every day, you can stay in Miyajimaguchi across the water or in central Hiroshima, where there is more choice and prices are relatively friendly. Take the ferry over during the day to see the leaves. This suits travelers who also want to fit in central Hiroshima, such as the Atomic Bomb Dome and Shukkeien Garden.
For detailed hotel comparisons, price ranges and booking tips, see our other dedicated Miyajima accommodation guide, which covers the pros and cons of staying on the island and on the mainland side.
Miyajima Autumn Foliage FAQ
When is the best time to see autumn leaves on Miyajima?
The best viewing period in 2026 is expected to be mid to late November (roughly November 15 to 28), when the roughly 700 maple trees in Momijidani Park reach peak red.
How should I plan a one-day Miyajima autumn foliage itinerary?
Suggested route: Miyajima Pier → Itsukushima Shrine visit → Omotesando shopping street (grilled oysters, momiji manju) → Momijidani Park for the leaves → Miyajima Ropeway up Mt. Misen → back to the shore in the evening to see the torii at sunset → ferry back.
How do I get from Hiroshima to Miyajima?
Take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (about 25-30 minutes), then transfer to the JR West ferry or Miyajima Matsudai Kisen ferry to Miyajima Pier (about 10 minutes). You can also take the Hiroden streetcar on a slower route of about 50-70 minutes.
Are there any hidden autumn foliage spots on Miyajima?
Omoto Park is a hidden maple spot favored by locals. It sits in a stream-fed wind corridor and has fewer people than Momijidani Park. Daishoin is also less crowded but just as impressive, and it ranks as the third-best autumn foliage spot.
Are there night maple events on Miyajima?
Momijidani Park holds a free night illumination from November 13 to December 6, 2026. Daishoin’s red maple illumination runs from November 17 to 29, 17:30 to 19:00 (admission was ¥1,000 in 2025, so check the current announcement). The great torii of Itsukushima Shrine is also lit at night, and night Otorii Cruises are available, but booking is required at least 2 hours before departure. Please confirm the last ferry time before you head back.
What are the must-eat foods on Miyajima?
Grilled oysters and momiji manju on the Omotesando shopping street are must-eats. Momijido Honten is a signature old shop, and other options include Shibai Charyo Mizuha (Japanese cuisine) and Onigiri-ya Sanpiki Miyajima branch (a rice ball specialty).
