Itsukushima Shrine: Tide Times, Crowds and How to See the Floating Torii
By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 21 October 2026 · 4 min read
Quick answer
The famous torii of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima appears to float when the tide is above about 250 cm, and you can walk out to it when it's below about 100 cm, so check the tide table for your date before you go. The shrine costs ¥300 and opens at 6:30 am, and every visitor pays a ¥100 visitor tax with their ferry ticket. Day-trippers arrive from about 10 am, so take an early ferry, or stay the night to see the island quiet and the torii lit up.
At a glance
- Shrine entry
- ¥300 adults (¥500 with the Treasure Hall)
- Visitor tax
- ¥100 per person, collected with the ferry
- Hours
6:30 am, closing 5-6:30 pm by season
Floating toriiTide above about 250 cm Walk to the toriiTide below about 100 cm QuietestBefore 9 am, and evening Ferry10 minutes from Miyajimaguchi, ¥200 each way PagodaPeriodic conservation work. Check for scaffolding How busy is Itsukushima Shrine?
Miyajima is one of Japan's "three great views", and most visitors come as a day trip from Hiroshima. Ferries fill from mid-morning, and the shrine's one-way wooden corridors and the shore in front of the torii get very busy by midday. In the evening, after the last day-trippers leave, the island is peaceful.
🔑 The free skip-the-line hack
Before you go, check how busy Itsukushima Shrine is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Japanese holidays and festivals.
Check today’s crowds at Itsukushima Shrine →Understanding the tides
The look of the shrine changes completely with the tide, and tides change roughly every six hours, so most days have both a high and a low tide window.
Check the tide table
The Miyajima Tourist Association publishes a monthly tide table with high and low water times and levels. Plan your shrine visit for high tide, and a walk to the torii for low tide, which may be 3-5 hours apart.
A one-day plan
- Early ferry from Miyajimaguchi (about 8 am). The JR ferry passes closer to the torii: stand on the right side.
- Shrine at high tide, if it falls in the morning, or the torii walk at low tide.
- Omotesandō street for grilled oysters and momiji manjū before the lunch rush.
- Daishō-in temple for the stairs of prayer wheels and statues.
- Mount Misen by ropeway for the view over the Seto Inland Sea.
- Back to the shore for the other tide, then the evening ferry.
Stay the night
Staying in a ryokan on Miyajima means you'll see the torii lit up at night, with the island almost to yourself, and an early start before the first ferries arrive.
The deer
Miyajima's deer roam freely and aren't shy. Unlike in Nara, feeding them is discouraged. They'll go for food, paper bags and maps, so eat at the shop where you bought your food and keep paper away.
Getting there
Coin lockers are at Miyajima pier and Miyajimaguchi.
Restoration
- The great torii restoration finished in December 2022.
- The five-storey pagoda and other buildings undergo periodic conservation, so you may see scaffolding.
- Check the shrine's notices for current restoration work.
Mistakes to avoid
- Not checking the tide table and arriving at low tide expecting a floating torii.
- Taking a 10 am ferry with every tour group.
- Feeding or carrying snacks near the deer.
- Rushing back at 4 pm, just as the island gets quiet.
FAQs
When does the Miyajima torii float?
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When the tide is above about 250 cm at Hiroshima Port. Check the tide table for your date.
When can you walk to the Itsukushima torii?
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When the tide is below about 100 cm.
How much is Itsukushima Shrine?
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¥300 for adults, or ¥500 with the Treasure Hall.
Is there a tax to visit Miyajima?
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Yes, ¥100 per person, collected with your ferry ticket.
What time does Itsukushima Shrine open?
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At 6:30 am every day. Closing time varies by season.
What is the best time to visit Itsukushima Shrine?
Heading to Itsukushima Shrine?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 21 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
There's no booking or skip-the-line ticket. The ticket queue at the shrine is short. The slow part is the one-way corridor.
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Is it worth staying overnight on Miyajima?
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Yes, to see the island quiet and the torii lit up.
How do I get to Miyajima from Hiroshima?
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JR to Miyajimaguchi (about 28 minutes), then a 10-minute ferry.
Can you feed the deer on Miyajima?
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No, feeding is discouraged. Keep food and paper away from them.