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View all Hiroshima toursMiyajima Great Torii Kayak Tour: Paddle a World Heritage Bay in Hiroshima
Paddle across the calm waters of Miyajima for stunning views of the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine. Depending on tides and weather, you may go ashore to explore local shops and temples.
Highlights
- Approach the Great Torii from the water, as pilgrims once did
- Paddle a UNESCO World Heritage bay in stable kayaks
- No experience needed; full briefing and gentle pacing
- Drift close to the gate's massive camphor-wood pillars
- Possible shore landing at shops and temples, tides permitting
Miyajima Great Torii Kayak Tour: Paddle a World Heritage Bay: Key Facts
| Price | From $124.22 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Experience |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Choose from 1 available option
World Heritage Torii Kayak Tour
Full description
Every photograph of Miyajima's great torii is taken from the shore, but the gate was built to be approached from the water; for a thousand years, pilgrims arrived by boat, passing under it before setting foot on the sacred island. This two-hour kayak tour with Miyajima Kayak restores that original perspective. After meeting on the Miyajima side and a proper safety briefing near Nagahama Shrine, you settle into stable sit-on-top kayaks and push off into the sheltered, glassy waters of the bay, no prior paddling experience required. The route hugs the shoreline of the World Heritage bay before opening onto its centerpiece: the vermilion Otorii of Itsukushima Shrine rising out of the sea directly ahead of your bow. Depending on the tide, you paddle around the gate, drifting close enough to appreciate the sheer size of its camphor-wood pillars, with the shrine's floating corridors and the forested slopes of Mount Misen stacked behind it, an angle no land-based visitor ever gets. A break at Kiyomori Shrine on the water's edge gives time for photos and a breather, and when tides and weather allow, the group may go ashore to explore the shops and temples near the shrine. Guides manage the currents and keep the pace gentle throughout, making this as suitable for first-timers as for seasoned paddlers. Reviewers consistently call the view from the water the highlight of their entire Miyajima visit. Bring clothes that can take a splash and a waterproofed phone or camera; you will want both.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Meet and gear up
Meet the Miyajima Kayak team, fit life jackets and boats, and get a full safety briefing near Nagahama Shrine.
Paddle out into the bay
Push off into the sheltered waters of the World Heritage bay in stable sit-on-top kayaks, no experience required.
The Great Torii from the water
Approach the vermilion Otorii by kayak the way pilgrims once arrived by boat, drifting close to its massive camphor-wood pillars.
Break at Kiyomori Shrine
Pull up near the waterside shrine for photos, a breather, and, tides permitting, a chance to step ashore.
Return paddle and wrap-up
An easy paddle back along the shoreline to the launch point, with Mount Misen rising behind you.
Detailed Itinerary
10:00 AM - Meet and gear up: Meet the Miyajima Kayak team, fit life jackets and boats, and get a full safety briefing near Nagahama Shrine.
10:20 AM - Paddle out into the bay: Push off into the sheltered waters of the World Heritage bay in stable sit-on-top kayaks, no experience required.
10:45 AM - The Great Torii from the water: Approach the vermilion Otorii by kayak the way pilgrims once arrived by boat, drifting close to its massive camphor-wood pillars.
11:20 AM - Break at Kiyomori Shrine: Pull up near the waterside shrine for photos, a breather, and, tides permitting, a chance to step ashore.
11:45 AM - Return paddle and wrap-up: An easy paddle back along the shoreline to the launch point, with Mount Misen rising behind you.
Includes
- Professional local guide, all fees mentioned in the itinerary
Excludes
- Personal expenses, meals unless specified, gratuities
Important information
Meeting point
Miyajima (details confirmed with operator on booking)
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
It was the highlight of our day in Hiroshima. Our guide was informative, kind and spoke very good English. We were participating as a family of four and our kids do not have much experience with kayaking. The guide was patient and explained many times how to manoeuvre the kayak. We felt very safe and taken care of. We had a great experience kayaking under the gate when our guide took some photos of us. All in all , a very good way to spend two hours and experience the island from a different perspective. Money well spent! The only thing I am sorry about is that we did not have our swim suits, as the weather was perfect to take a dive into the water, when we made a stop close to the Tori gate. If we are ever back in Japan we will take the trip again. Maybe the longer one .
Shim was a great live guide who first gave us a kayaking lesson and then led us under the beautiful Torii. What an amazing experience. We also moored on a beach and received a well-deserved local delicacy (Momiji Manji). A great activity!
We had the best experience in our Miyajima Kayak. Our guide Shin was very patient, knowledgeable and kind. His english was perfect and he made our tour the highlight of our trip. We are very happy we did this tour and very grateful with Shin. Very very recommended!!
this was a fun activity, you get to kayak in the sea out to a torri gate. the guide was friendly and patient with those new to kyacking 2 things I will advice is: 1: bring a pair of sandles as your feet will get wet. 2: don't worry, the kayak is very stable, it was my first time doing it and was a little worried it might tip over, but it doesn't and after 5 min you'll get the hang of it. id do it again if given the opportunity.
Fantastic! Our guide was brilliant. We turned up totally unprepared and he helped us sort ourselves out. It was later in the day when we went so he also adjusted our timings so we could visit the shrine before it closed. Full of good conversation, interesting information about the area and Japanese culture and food. Even bought us all a cake and leant me cash for the shrine! Thoroughly recommend For anyone else considering this - we got the boat direct from the peace park to Myajima pier. The kayak beach is literally 2 mins from the pier. The same ferry does not run late enough to get back if you do the 3:30 tour, but it’s very still to get the 10 min ferry to mainland then JR line back to Hiroshima Having said that, we would have loved to have had a night on the once we’d seen it
Very unique view of Miyajima and a great tour guide.
Shin was an awesome guide and showed us around the beautiful landscape, shoreline and oyster banks.
Super interesting! Very nice live guide! A unique day trip!
Amazing excursion, we totally recommend it Shine, our guide, even suggested we come earlier to catch the tide and see the Torii on the water. He shared some stories and showed us some amazing spots. A honeymoon that'll stick with you forever You've gotta do it, especially with Shine!
This was an excellent way to see the Torii gates up close and away from the tourists. Was a beautiful way to spend our afternoon - teenagers loved it. Shin was a fantastic guide and took awesome photos and provided a great recommendation for dinner. Definite highlight of our time in Japan