Miyajima 宮島
One of the Nihon Sankei; ‘Three Great Sights’
Miyajima, officially known as Itsukushima and less than an hour from Hiroshima, is famous for Itsukushima Jinja’s giant torii gate, which seems to float on the water at high tide - the sight is ranked as one of Japan's Nihon Sankei (three best views) - and you’re bound to have seen it in Japan tourism advertising.
As soon as you’re off the boat, expect to be pestered by not-so-wild deer that have become used to tourists and try to cadge food - even pulling things out of visitors’ pockets.
There are some excellent walking trails on Miyajima, including three paths that lead to the summit of Mt Misen. Alternatively, you can take the Miyajima Ropeway to near the top.