Outdoors
Seto Inland Sea Paddle
You paddle a sea kayak from Miyajima island out to the red Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine, which appears to float on the sea at high tide. Guides give a short lesson first, so beginners can join.
- Where
- Hiroshima, Japan
- Time
- 1 hour for the short course; 3-hour and 6-hour courses also run
The route
Guided sea kayak tour from Miyajima to the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine.
Take a JR or Hiroden train to Miyajimaguchi, then the 10-minute ferry to Miyajima. The operator JNTO lists, HART Adventure Center, is based in Minamionishi on Miyajima.
When to go
JNTO lists the tour as running year-round.
Permits and fees
The guided tour is the usual way to paddle here: the 1-hour course costs 6,000 yen for adults and 5,500 yen for children. Visitors to Miyajima also pay a 100 yen visit tax on top of the ferry fare (180 yen one way on the JR ferry).
Before you go
- Book ahead and ask which start time suits the tide on your day.
- Bring clothes that can get wet and something dry to change into.
What to bring
- A buoyancy aid, worn rather than stowed
- A dry bag for your phone and keys
- Water and snacks
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
- A warm layer, even on a hot day
Getting ready for it
Paddling works your back, shoulders and core more than your arms.
A few weeks of rows, pull-ups or pulldowns and some rotational core work will make a full day far more comfortable.
Staying safe
- How close you get to the torii depends on the tide and the weather on the day.
- Check the wind and water forecast before launching.
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
Route details checked September 30, 2026 against japan.travel, setouchi.travel, jr-miyajimaferry.co.jp and en.wikipedia.org. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.
