Absolutely, staying overnight on Miyajima is worth it. As the sun begins to set, the island takes on a calm, relaxing atmosphere as many day tourists board the ferry back to the mainland. You can enjoy quieter streets, enjoy the local cuisine, and see the famous Itsukushima shrine at both high and low tide, as your overnight stay will certainly provide enough time for the tides to change. 

Hotels on Miyajima can be a little pricer than on the mainland. While options like Sakuraya do offer some very reasonable rates for a stay, we would highly recommend that if you want to have a traditional ryokan experience on your trip to Japan, you spend a little extra and have the experience on Miyajima. 

There are plenty of street food stalls that open when the island is busy, when the tourists are on the island, but there are fewer options for restaurants on the island than one would expect. Luckily, many hotels on Miyajima have their own on-site restaurants for their guests to eat at. 

Yes. Miyajima is safe and very quiet at night. Most shops close by early evening, but the streets remain open and peaceful. The shrine and torii gate are beautifully illuminated, and the atmosphere is calm and almost magical compared to daytime.

From Hiroshima Station, take the train to Miyajimaguchi, then board the ferry across to the island. Ferries run regularly throughout the day and evening, but if you’re staying overnight, check the last departure time in case you plan to return to the mainland.