Private Miyajima Rickshaw Tour to Itsukushima Shrine

The rickshaw experience on Miyajima

The rickshaw, or jinrikisha, appeared in Japan around 1870 and soon became the everyday taxi of the Meiji era. Today rickshaws pulled by strong, cheerful guides are a popular way to explore historic towns, and on Miyajima they glide easily along lanes that are closed to most cars. The seat is shaded by a folding hood, and the gentle pace lets you take in every detail.

This is a private Miyajima rickshaw tour: the rickshaw is yours alone, holding up to two adults side by side, and your puller gives you full attention, stopping wherever you want a photo. The puller's commentary is given in Japanese, so the ride is above all about the atmosphere, the views and the gentle pace. Is a rickshaw ride on Miyajima worth it? For many guests it becomes the highlight of their trip to Japan.

Townhouses, the shopping arcade and the waterfront

From the ferry terminal your rickshaw rolls into the town, past traditional wooden townhouses and along the covered shopping arcade of Omotesando, where stalls sell momiji manju maple-leaf cakes, grilled oysters and wooden rice scoops. Deer wander between the shops; they are considered sacred, and feeding them is not allowed.

The route then follows the waterfront to the classic view of the Great Torii standing in the sea in front of the shrine. About 16 metres tall and made from natural camphor trunks, the gate seems to float at high tide, while at low tide the sand around it is exposed. Your puller stops at the best angles for photos with the torii behind you.

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is built over the tidal flat with vermilion halls joined by long corridors. Tradition dates it to the late sixth century, and its present form to the 12th century. Itsukushima Shrine opening hours are generally from 6:30 until 17:00 to 18:00, depending on the season.

The rickshaw takes you to the shrine area, and entry fees are not included, so you can decide whether to go inside during or after the tour. Many guests choose to finish their rickshaw tour at the shrine and visit the corridors on foot afterwards; since you choose your own end point, that is easy to arrange. The shrine's outdoor stage over the water and the view back to the torii are well worth the time.

Senjokaku Pavilion and Daisho-in Temple

Above the shrine stands Senjokaku, the pavilion of a thousand tatami mats, a vast wooden hall begun in 1587 and left unfinished, beside a red five-storey pagoda from 1407. Entry to the hall carries a small fee that is not included. From its open floor you look out over the roofs of the town to the sea, one of the island's finest views.

The rickshaw then climbs toward Daisho-in, the oldest temple on Miyajima, founded according to tradition in 806 at the foot of Mount Misen. Its stairway is lined with prayer wheels and small stone statues in knitted caps, and the temple is believed to be a place of good energy. From the temple grounds the view over the island is superb.

Seaside parks and scenic roads

What makes the premium route special is the final part. Leaving the busy centre behind, your puller follows quiet roads through seaside parks and pine groves along the coast, where the only sounds are the waves and the wheels of the rickshaw. These scenic stretches offer a different view of the torii and the shrine from a distance, framed by trees and water.

The route can be customised: if you love temples, the puller can linger there; if you prefer the sea, more time is spent on the coast. The best time to visit Miyajima by rickshaw is spring or November, when the cherry blossom or the maples add colour, but the shaded, breezy ride is pleasant in any season.