Japan Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate

Miyajima has been considered a holy place for most of Japanese history. In 806 AD, the monk Kōbō Daishi ascended Mt. Misen and established the mountain as an ascetic site for the Shingon sect of Buddhism. In the years since, the island's Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines have maintained a close relationship.

In the past, women were not allowed on the island and old people were shipped elsewhere to die, so that the ritual purity of the site would not be spoiled; in fact, the island's real name is Itsukushima (厳島), and Miyajima is just a popular nickname meaning "Shrine Island".

Long exposures are great so you will need a tripod and filters.

Miyajima can be reached by sea from Hiroshima. The main ferry terminal on the mainland is Miyajimaguchi (宮島口), which can be reached from JR Hiroshima station either by train (¥400, 25 minutes, or ¥590 for an one way combination ticket with the ferry) or tram line #2 (¥270, 70 minutes). The tram line also passes by the Peace Memorial Park.

From Miyajimaguchi, JR ferries [3] and Matsudai ferries [4] run to Miyajima up to 10 times per hour. The trip takes 10 minutes and costs ¥170 each way; Japan Rail Pass holders can use the JR ferry for free. The last ferry returns to the mainland at 10:14PM. Most tour groups are gone after 5PM, so you'll have a different experience on the island if you wait them out.