Things to do in Japan

Visit a floating shrine on Miyajima Island

There are deer everywhere on Miyajama, and they get quite close. If you have something coming out of your pocket, they’ll want it…

By Patrick Loyer

Product Design Executive, Discova

Mountains, forests and sea come together on Miyajima Island, located just outside of Hiroshima and considered one of Japan’s most scenic spots. We offer a half-day tour from the city for guests wanting to see the island with a guide and get a glimpse into local life.

To get here, you take the train from the city and then get a 15-minute ferry to reach the island. From the ferry you can see the famous red ‘floating’ torii gate rising out of the water and the bright red Itsukushima Shrine next to it, built in the 10^th century and now a Unesco World Heritage Site.

When the tide goes out you can actually walk out to the gate, but when the tide’s in, it’s surrounded by water, which makes for a picturesque view. Depending on the tide and time, you have the option take a little wooden boat out to the gate as part of the tour.

The tour takes you to visit the shrine and some of the other highlights on the island, including a five-story pagoda, several historic temples and little shops selling moiji manju – maple-shaped sweet treats stuffed with bean paste and other fillings, which are a delicious local snack here. You can stop and see how these are made, and watch local craftspeople making wood carvings and other souvenirs too. The island is also known for its oysters, so it’s a good place to try these.

There are also wild deer everywhere on Miyajama, and they get quite close. If you have something coming out of your pocket, they’re going to want it, so be careful! But it’s a lot of fun and it’s one of my favourite things about the island.

If the weather is good, you can also take a cable car to the top of the mountain – the views are spectacular, with several other islands around the bay and beautiful scenery dotted with deer beneath you. I love coming here and would highly recommend it!

Note: The Miyajima torii gate is covered by scaffolding for renovation. This is planned to be taken down by the end of 2022.

Available in these itineraries…

Small Group

Highlights of Japan Tour
by Malcolm Holcroft

Length14 Days

Price range£5,165 - £5,910pp

Alfred & Patrick Loyer

Originally from Canada, Patrick has been living in Japan for over 13 years. After a year-long working holiday in Japan in 2007, he moved to the country permanently in 2010. He has lived in Hokkaido, Nagoya and Shizuoka, where he is currently based. He loves Japanese culture, best-seen in the country’s festivals, which combine historic traditions with modern elements.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Richard, who's travelled extensively in Japan. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the tea devotee who'll introduce you to the ceremony surrounding Japan's national drink, the noodle guru who'll teach you how to make the perfect bowl of soba and the ryokan owner who'll tutor you in the relaxing art of the onsen.

Richard Pearson

Travel Expert for Alfred&

The term ‘well-travelled’ is an understatement when describing Richard. They've been swept up in the cultural portals of Japan and China and fallen in love with Vietnam’s historical melting pot and romantic karsts of Halong Bay. Their mantra is ‘expect the unexpected,’ which is why they find India so attractive; its manic city streets, stunning yet seldom-visited temples and off-road safaris in the wildest tiger reserves.
Takeaki Shibuya

Experience coordinator for Destination Asia, Alfred&'s partners in Japan

After 14 years of experience travelling in more than 70 countries as a tour conductor and planner, Takeaki has come home to Japan, which he truly believes is the most unique place in the world to explore. His unusual experiences are a source of creation which draws out the esoteric and the hidden of Japan.
Ms Makishima

Nakai-san at Gion Yoshi-Ima

A long-time employee at Gion Yoshi-Ima and resident of Kyoto, Ms Makishima embodies the Japanese spirit of hospitality: a welcoming character, dedication to her work, and joy in the everyday. Care and devotion is given to her guests and she is always on hand to attend to needs or offer advice to adventurous travellers.
Fabien Fleury

Wine educator, oenophile and guide

Tokyo-based Fabien was born in Saintes, near Cognac, in the south-west of France. As a boy, he used to help his grandfather take care of his vineyard, which instilled in him a love of the whole process of wine-making. Fabien has been giving tasting seminars to wine lovers between Europe and Japan for 10 years and enjoys sharing his expertise on tours of Japan’s wine-making Yamanashi area outside Tokyo.
Ms Akira

Member of the hospitality team at Oyado Koto no Yume

Ms Akira is part of the hospitality team at Koto no Yume, a ryokan in the traditional town of Takayama. Living in a city steeped in culture, she enjoys helping guests to get to know a little more of the traditional arts and crafts, as well as the beautiful sites of Takayama.
Satoshi Inuki

Japanese literature enthusiast & one of Alfred&’s guides in Japan

Satoshi is originally from a small town in Hyogo prefecture. In his early 20s he lived in Edinburgh where he met many people from all over the world who asked him questions about Japan. This prompted him to study more about his own country’s culture, history and traditions. He moved to Kyoto around 10 years ago and became a licensed guide in 2011, since when he has come to know every inch of both his new home town and destinations such as Hiroshima, Okayama and Naoshima to the west.