I was advised that it might extend longer. It would be a shame for those that want to see it when they come for the Olympics if it is still being renovated. I saw it cherry blossom time 2018. I was hoping for a revisit at fall time; didn't happen.

As always, an offering to the spirits, in this case the spirits in the water. Some times people place small stones on a gate. A movement (like the sound in the offering box, the smoke of incense) draws the attention of the spirits. In this case the tides. The sound of a bell alerts the spirits of the underworld. By the way, the fir trees near Tori's and shrines draw in the countless spirits through their needles.

今日9月12日の日没時刻は18:22、厳島神社の閉門は18時です。日没後、大鳥居のライトアップも11時頃まで行われています。 宮島フェリーも10時頃まで運行しているようです。広島市内までは戻る時刻を気にしなければ、特に問題なく戻れるのではと思います。 飲食店の営業時間は店によって違いがありますので、事前に、直接問い合わせて、確認されることをおすすめします。 日没時刻や神社の閉門時刻は季節により違います。こちらも事前に確認されることをおすすめします。

Let's say it depend if you like to tour around, get lost and discover... The temple itself could be 1 hour but there is often wedding so you might want to hang out a little bit more. Than you have other temples on the island to see, a little walk on the top of the ''mountain''. If you like oysters, we will be delighted with the wide choice of place to eat. Try also the cookies, you even can see the making of them in the ''village''. Have fun!

yes, Japan Rail passes will give you a free ferry ride to and from miyajima. the train station is very close to the ferry. we saw no queues at the ticket box and there were lots of regular ferries across. we went just before sundown which was spectacular but wish we went a little earlier to see the shops, village etc. not sure if the tides make any difference.

You gonna take the ferry and arrive on the island. You have nothing specific to wear. The torii can be seen from the pier near the shrine. And when the water isn't hight around noon, you can walk close to it and touch it. At this moment, it's wet and muddy so wear some real shoes, not summer open sandals.

Take the JR trains to the Ferry terminal (miyajima-guchi station), then the JR Ferry across to the island. Once on the island, the shrine is within walking distance from the Ferry terminal. Allow yourself a day for the island in fact if you can stay on the island that way tu can climb Mt Misa but if not catch the cable car to the top. If you stay you will experience the shrine with tide out that allows you to walk right up to it and with tide in so it appears to float in the water. Beware of the cheeky deer they love a pat but do not feed. This island has so much to offer other than the shrine take the time to explore Happy Trails