Where to Stay in Miyajima: A Japanese Traveler’s Real Hotel Experience Near Hiroshima

Planning a trip to Miyajima and wondering where to stay?

In this article, I’ll share my real experience as a solo female traveler from Japan.

It wasn’t a luxury trip, but a simple and honest journey filled with small, memorable moments.

If you’re curious about how a Japanese traveler experiences a trip to Hiroshima, or looking for a practical place to stay, I hope this helps you plan your trip.

Miyajimaguchi is the gateway to Miyajima Island, located on the mainland, with easy ferry access just a short walk from the station.

In this article, I’ll share:

• Why I chose Miyajimaguchi instead of staying on the island
• What the hotel was like
• Breakfast and the surrounding area
• The pros and cons compared to staying on Miyajima

A view of the Seto Inland Sea from my hotel room.

Why I Chose Miyajimaguchi

The ferry terminal at Miyajimaguchi, just a short walk from the hotel.

For this trip, I planned to stay two nights near Miyajima and one night in Hiroshima city.

After researching accommodation options, I found that hotels on Miyajima Island tend to be more expensive.

So I chose to stay on the mainland, in Miyajimaguchi.

I stayed at Miyajima Coral Hotel, which is very close to the ferry terminal, making access to Miyajima extremely easy and convenient.

If you’re planning your trip, you can find hotels around Miyajimaguchi (Hiroshima) here.

Should You Stay on Miyajima Island?

If your budget allows, staying on Miyajima Island is definitely worth considering.

Everything is within walking distance:

• Itsukushima Shrine
• Scenic walking paths
• Main sightseeing spots

If you stay on the mainland, you’ll need to take a ferry each time.

The ferry ride itself is short, but waiting and boarding can take more time than expected.

If you want to enjoy Miyajima at a relaxed pace, staying on the island can be a great choice.

It’s also a unique experience to spend a night on the island.

If you’re considering staying on Miyajima Island, you can check available hotels here.

My Hotel Experience in Miyajimaguchi

The Room

The room was clean and comfortable.

From the window, I could see the Seto Inland Sea, which made the stay feel a bit special.

The room had dark-colored walls, so it felt slightly dim, but it didn’t bother me much since I was mostly outside during the day.

Hotel Facilities

The staff were friendly and helpful.

The lobby had:

• snacks and drinks
• ice cream
• small souvenirs

There was also a small lounge area with:

• computers
• manga and books

Even though I didn’t use them, these small details made the hotel feel very welcoming.

Before moving on to dinner, there’s one thing I’d like to mention.

I also felt safe staying alone in this area, which made the experience even more comfortable.

Exploring the Area and Dinner

This map was provided by the hotel and shows the area around Miyajimaguchi.

I arrived in the evening and took a short walk around the area.

There are many shops between JR Miyajimaguchi Station and the ferry terminal, making it enjoyable just to walk around.

A simple dinner from a convenience store—but one of my favorite moments.

One of my favorite parts of traveling alone is a simple dinner like this.

I buy whatever I feel like from a convenience store, then go back to my hotel room, watch TV, and enjoy it with a beer.

Japanese convenience stores have a wide variety of food, and everything is surprisingly good.

It’s easy, affordable, and honestly really satisfying.

The beer I had was actually a happoshu (a Japanese beer-like drink that’s cheaper than regular beer), and honestly, it’s pretty good.

It’s not exactly the same as real beer, but it’s very popular in Japan, so I’d definitely recommend trying it.

In Japan, there are many kinds of affordable and delicious alcoholic drinks, which makes it fun to try different ones.

Breakfast and Morning Experience

Breakfast was buffet-style with a view of the sea.

I usually skip breakfast to save money,
but this time I chose a plan that included breakfast.

The breakfast was buffet-style.

The restaurant had large windows with a view of the sea, creating a calm and pleasant atmosphere.

Just a quick heads-up: if you sit near the window, you may get direct sunlight in the morning, so it can be a bit bright.

Access

• About 25 minutes by train from Hiroshima Station
• About 5 minutes on foot from JR Miyajimaguchi Station
• Very close to the ferry terminal

This location is ideal as a base for exploring Miyajima.

Alternative Option: Staying on Miyajima Island

While walking around Miyajima, I saw several hotels that looked very nice.

Staying on the island offers a different kind of experience:

• Quiet morning walks
• Beautiful ocean views
• Deer wandering freely nearby

If you want a more immersive experience, staying on the island is a great option.

Final Thoughts

I chose Miyajimaguchi mainly for budget and convenience.

Do I regret not staying on Miyajima Island?

Maybe just a little.

But overall, I was very satisfied with my stay.

The convenient location, the sea view from the room,
and the relaxing time I spent there all became great memories.

If you’re planning a trip to Miyajima,
I hope this helps you decide where to stay.

→ Read my guide to Hiroshima, including recommended spots and food, here