A practical English guide to Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima: Miyajimaguchi, the ferry gateway and the coastal city.
Operational details such as opening hours, admission fees, and train times can change. Prefer official pages and reconfirm before you travel (sources checked on 08 November 2026).
Why visit
- Hatsukaichi is the coastal city west of Hiroshima that includes Miyajimaguchi, the main ferry point for Itsukushima (Miyajima). Most visitors pass straight through to the island, but the city itself has a station centre, waterfront approaches and practical hotels for early or late ferry times.
- Using Hatsukaichi as a base can take pressure off Hiroshima city hotels during peak Miyajima days, while keeping the shrine island a short hop away.
- It is one of the most useful logistics towns in the Hiroshima area.
Top places and highlights
Miyajimaguchi
Ferry terminals and the approach to Miyajima.
Waterfront views
Looking across to the shrine island.
Station access
JR and streetcar links from Hiroshima.
Coastal city centre
Hotels and shops for ferry travellers.
Food and drink
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Getting there and around
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Where to stay
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Best time to visit
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Practical tips
- Ferry queues build mid-morning; go early.
- Deer on Miyajima will go after paper and food.
- Return boats can be full at sunset.
Suggested day-trip outline
- Morning: train from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi.
- Late morning: ferry to Miyajima.
- Lunch: on the island or back on the mainland.
- Afternoon: shrine and island walks, or Hatsukaichi centre.
- Late afternoon: ferry return.
- Evening: dinner near the terminal or in Hiroshima.
Before you go
Timetables, fares, admission fees, and seasonal access rules can change. Check the official tourism and transport sites linked below for the latest information before you travel.
Explore More of Japan
Published guides that pair with this one:
- Etajima Travel Guide: Naval History on a Seto Island
- Fukuyama Travel Guide: A Castle Town on the Sanyo Road
- Takehara Travel Guide: The Sake Town of the Seto Inland Sea
- Miyajima Travel Guide: Itsukushima Shrine, the Floating Torii, and a Hiroshima Day Trip
- Fuchu Travel Guide: A Quiet Bingo Town in Hiroshima
Browse every Chugoku guide on this site for the rest of the region.
Sources
- city.hatsukaichi.hiroshima.jp (checked 2026-11-08)
- pref.hiroshima.lg.jp (checked 2026-11-08)
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