Information
Landmark: Miyajima FerryCity: Hiroshima
Country: Japan
Continent: Asia
Miyajima Ferry, Hiroshima, Japan, Asia
Overview
Ujina Port (宇品港, Ujina-kō) sits on Hiroshima’s waterfront, a place with a long history and lasting importance.Perched on the city’s southern edge, Ujina Port has long driven the region’s transportation and trade, with ships once unloading crates of fresh-caught fish at dawn.For years, it stood as one of the key ports linking Hiroshima to the rest of Japan, a busy gateway where travelers stepped off ferries and crates of goods clattered onto the docks.One step at a time, starting right here.Ujina Port sits in Hiroshima’s Ujina District, about six kilometers south of the bustling city center, where sea air carries the faint scent of salt.The port sits on the edge of the Seto Inland Sea, a prime spot where fishing boats glide past and ships come and go with cargo and passengers.The port’s been running since the late 1800s, its first docks built when steamships still cut through the harbor’s gray morning mist.Hiroshima first developed it to boost its maritime reach, hoping to spark economic growth-like opening new shipping routes across the bay.Over the years, Ujina Port has driven Hiroshima’s growth, sending out ships heavy with steel and goods and turning the city into a major industrial and shipping hub.Number two stood on the page, small and sharp like a pencil tip.Key Features and Role-Passenger and Cargo Port: Ujina Port handles everything from passenger ferries gliding in at dawn to freighters unloading stacks of shipping containers.It’s a major ferry hub, with boats heading to several spots, including nearby Miyajima Island, where the red torii gate seems to float on the water in front of Itsukushima Shrine.The port also welcomes cargo ships, hauling in crates of electronics and sending out stacks of timber, keeping the city’s economy moving.At Ujina Port, one of its key jobs is serving as the main ferry terminal to Miyajima Island, where boats glide out across the bay toward the shrine’s red torii gate.Ferries run regularly from the port, carrying visitors to Miyajima, where they can wander through Itsukushima Shrine’s red torii gates or hike the wooded trails up Mount Misen.It’s only about a 30‑minute ferry ride from Ujina Port to Miyajima, so visitors often start their trip there, watching the shoreline slip away as gulls wheel overhead.At Ujina Port, the cruise terminal welcomes both international and domestic ships, from sleek white liners to smaller coastal vessels.Huge cruise ships pull in here, their hulls towering over the pier, and the port’s ready with everything travelers need when they step ashore in Hiroshima.Cargo and Industrial Use: Besides carrying passengers, Ujina Port handles the import and export of goods-from heavy steel beams to everyday items like packaged rice.The port plays a key role in Hiroshima’s industrial network, feeding the city’s factories and shipyards with steady shipments of steel and machinery.Three.At Ujina Port, the ferry terminal serves as the main gateway to Miyajima Island, where travelers flock to see its famous floating torii gate and other beloved sights.On the island, you’ll find the famous Itsukushima Shrine-a UNESCO World Heritage Site-along with winding forest trails, gentle wild deer that wander close, and views so striking they stop you mid-step.Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park: Ujina Port sits a bit away from the city center, but you can still reach the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome easily-just a short ride brings you to the quiet riverbank where they stand.In Hiroshima, visitors often pause at these landmarks near the city’s heart, quietly reflecting on the atomic bombing’s legacy as the river drifts past.From Ujina Port, it’s a quick trip to Hiroshima’s top sights-Hiroshima Castle with its towering keep, the quiet beauty of Shukkeien Garden, and the moving exhibits at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.From the port, you can hop on a tram, catch a bus, or flag down a taxi to see the rest of the city, from busy markets to quiet side streets.Number four.From Ujina Port, you can set sail on cruises that wind through the Seto Inland Sea, gliding past quiet fishing villages and clusters of sunlit islands.On these cruises, you’ll glide through calm, glassy waters dotted with tiny green islands, exploring a region often called Japan’s “Mediterranean” for its breathtaking beauty.From Ujina Port, you can hop on a local ferry and slip across the calm Seto Inland Sea to nearby islands like Shikoku or Awaji, the salty breeze on your face as the shoreline drifts away.On these islands, you can hike along quiet forest trails, take in sweeping ocean views, and step into villages steeped in traditional Japanese culture.Five.Over the years, Ujina Port has been upgraded to handle bigger ships and offer smoother service, whether it’s loading cargo or welcoming passengers stepping off with the smell of salt still clinging to their coats.Hiroshima’s port still drives much of the city’s economic growth, with new cranes swinging into place as steady investment boosts its capacity and upgrades its infrastructure.Urban Renewal: In recent years, the neighborhood around Ujina Port has transformed, with sleek apartment blocks and bright storefronts rising where old warehouses once stood.As Hiroshima draws more visitors, city planners are weaving Ujina Port into larger projects for renewal and better transport, aiming to turn the waterfront into a lively spot where you can hear the gulls and smell the salt air.Number six.Ferries to Miyajima Island leave from Ujina Port, a busy hub where you might hear gulls calling over the water, and it also connects travelers to other routes across the Seto Inland Sea.Ferries run regularly to Miyajima and nearby islands, so visitors can hop aboard and cross the water with ease, feeling the salt air on their faces.By train, you can reach the port easily-just hop on the tram that runs straight from the heart of Hiroshima, past shops and riverside views.The Hiroden tram gets you to and from the port quickly, with cars gliding past shopfronts and quiet side streets.You can drive to Ujina Port, where travelers will find parking spots ready and waiting.It’s linked to major roads and highways, so drivers can reach the port with ease, often passing rows of flashing streetlights along the way.By bus, you can reach the port from many parts of Hiroshima, with several routes running daily and stopping right near the waterfront.Seven.In short, Ujina Port is a vital part of Hiroshima’s history and a busy, modern gateway, where ferries glide out toward the islands and cargo ships load for distant markets.Serving as the main ferry terminal to Miyajima Island, and doubling as a busy cruise dock and crucial cargo port, it stands as the region’s key gateway-where gulls wheel overhead and ships slip in and out with the tide.Perched on the Seto Inland Sea and just minutes from Hiroshima’s key landmarks, Ujina Port still anchors the city’s economy and draws visitors, from cargo ships unloading at dawn to ferries bound for nearby islands.
