Miyajima
Kid-Friendly Hotels in Miyajima: Shrine-Side Ryokan & Ferry-Front Stays
From hot-spring ryokan on the island to a hotel 30 seconds from the ferry pier and an onsen resort on the mainland shore — bases for enjoying Miyajima as a family
When you look for a family stay in Miyajima, the first decision is whether to sleep on the island itself at a long-established ryokan, or on the Miyajimaguchi side where the ferry pier is. On the island you can walk to Itsukushima Shrine, but cars are not allowed and you may have to carry your bags a fair distance; on the Miyajimaguchi side you can get around by car and rates are easier on the budget. Which one fits you comes down to your children's ages and how much luggage you have.
Of the 8 properties listed here, 7 have Japanese-style or Japanese-Western rooms, 6 offer a toddler meal menu, and 6 can accommodate food allergies. On the island, Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto — the closest of all to Itsukushima Shrine — has rooms with private open-air baths, Japanese-Western rooms, and meals served in your room, while the century-old Kinsuikan has natural hot-spring water containing seawater and rooms with semi-open-air baths. Iwaso, founded more than 160 years ago, offers Japanese rooms and detached sukiya-style cottages (a refined teahouse-inspired style of architecture) beside Momijidani Park; Hotel Kikunoya has plans that include a children's lunch plate and Miyajima's first footbath; and Hotel Miyajima Villa is built for traveling light, one minute on foot from the pier.
On the Miyajimaguchi side, Miyajima Coral Hotel sits 30 seconds from the ferry terminal with Japanese-style and Japanese-Western rooms plus free parking, and Aki Grand Hotel has a large natural hot-spring bath, a private open-air bath you can reserve, an outdoor pool in summer, and baby chairs. Omotenashi Hostel Miyajima, with a kids' corner on the first-floor lounge that includes a slide and a trampoline, is also in Miyajimaguchi. Pier pickup and luggage carrying vary from inn to inn on the island, so it is worth checking each property's official website as of 2026 before you book.
Highlights
- checkChoose between island ryokan within walking distance of Itsukushima Shrine and Miyajimaguchi hotels right by the ferry pier
- checkMany properties cater to children's meals: 6 with a toddler meal menu and 6 with allergy support
- checkMiyajimaguchi also has an onsen hotel with natural hot springs, a private open-air bath, and an outdoor pool in summer
Family-friendly features in Miyajima
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Recommended hotels (7)
Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto
Miyajima Hotel Kikunoya
Miyajima no Yado Iwaso
Miyajima Coral Hotel
Omotenashi Hostel Miyajima
Aki Grand Hotel & SPA
Hotel Miyajima Villa
See all hotels in Miyajima (7)expand_more
Nearby attractions
Travel tips
The ferry from Miyajimaguchi pier takes about 10 minutes, and you can board with your stroller. The island has plenty of slopes and stone steps, and some inns will carry your luggage from the pier, so ask when you book. The deer are used to people but go after paper and food, so keep an eye on what your children are holding. At low tide you can walk right up to the Great Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine, so check the tide table and plan your timing — children love it. Staying on the Miyajimaguchi side lets you use a car, which makes it easy to add central Hiroshima to your itinerary after the Miyajima Aquarium.
Best season
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking the island, and fall brings peak autumn foliage at Momijidani Park. Summer pairs with the outdoor pool at Miyajimaguchi and the aquarium; winter is oyster season, when the hot-spring inns are at their most relaxed. Rooms on the island are hard to get during long holiday weekends and the foliage season.
Getting there
About 30 minutes from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station on the JR Sanyo Line, then about 10 minutes by ferry from Miyajimaguchi pier. By car it is about 15 minutes from the Hatsukaichi IC on the Sanyo Expressway to Miyajimaguchi; cars cannot be brought onto the island, so use the parking lots at Miyajimaguchi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Island or Miyajimaguchi — which is better with kids?
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If you plan to explore Itsukushima Shrine and the shopping street on foot, stay on the island; if you want to drive or are carrying a lot of luggage, Miyajimaguchi suits you better. Cars are not allowed on the island and there are many slopes and stone steps, so with little ones and big bags it helps to choose an inn that offers pickup from the pier or carries your luggage. Hotels in Miyajimaguchi are close to the ferry terminal, letting you cross on the very first boat of the day.
Which places do you recommend with a baby?
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Aki Grand Hotel in Miyajimaguchi has baby chairs and a private open-air bath you can reserve, so your family can enjoy the hot spring on its own. On the island, Kinsuikan and Arimoto have Japanese-style and Japanese-Western rooms with meals served in your room, making it easier to set your own pace for dinner and bedtime. Of the properties listed here, 6 offer a toddler meal menu.
Is there anything for children to enjoy on a rainy day?
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The Miyajima Aquarium (Miyajimarine) is a manageable size to tour entirely indoors and is the go-to option in the rain. It is also easy to spend the time in your hotel's hot spring or private bath, and if you are staying on the Miyajimaguchi side you can drive to indoor attractions in central Hiroshima.
Is it inconvenient without a car?
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You can get there entirely by public transportation: about 30 minutes from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station by JR, then about 10 minutes by ferry. On the island you travel on foot or by local bus, and no car is needed. A car makes it easier to combine a Miyajimaguchi stay with sightseeing in central Hiroshima, but you will manage perfectly well without one.
When is the best season for a family trip to Miyajima?
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Spring and fall are the most comfortable for walking the island, and the autumn leaves at Momijidani Park peak in November. Summer is hot, but it pairs well with the outdoor pool at Miyajimaguchi and the aquarium. Winter is oyster season, a relaxed time at the hot-spring ryokan. Island accommodations fill up early during long holiday weekends and the foliage season.