This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 8:45 Meet up @ Hotel Monterey Sendai
- 10:00 Fukuura Island
- 11:00 Matsushima Sightseeing Boat
- 12:00 Entsuin Temple
- 12:20 Tenrin-in Temple
- 12:33 Board train from Matsushimakaigan Station
- 13:11 Disband @ Sendai Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ Hotel Monterey Sendai at 8:45, the group explored Miyagi until the tour ended at 13:11. The day ran to 4 hours and 26 minutes from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Fukuura Island at 10:00, Matsushima Sightseeing Boat at 11:00, Entsuin Temple at 12:00, Tenrin-in Temple at 12:20 and Board train from Matsushimakaigan Station at 12:33.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Sendai Station to Matsushimakaigan Station by train (420JPY); Matsushimakaigan Station to Sendai Station by train (420JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 840JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Matsushima from Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests today were visitors who had come to Japan for a university science faculty seminar. When I mentioned that I had worked at the same university until March, we hit it off and they shared many stories with me. During the seminar, other professors had strongly recommended Matsushima, saying it was a wonderful place they should definitely visit. Until the day before, the guests had wished to see the city of Sendai, but the day before they asked if it would be alright to change the plan to Matsushima. So after meeting at the rescheduled meeting time, I asked once more whether they preferred Matsushima or Sendai, and since they answered Matsushima, we decided on Matsushima. I had sent an itinerary in advance, but I adjusted it flexibly on the spot as time allowed. On the train, the guests mentioned they had no cash on hand and were unsure what to do, so the first place I took them was a convenience store about a 15-minute walk from Matsushima-Kaigan Station. There are few convenience stores within the town of Matsushima, so arranging for cash can be difficult.
Since Fukuurajima was the closest to the convenience store, we crossed over to Fukuurajima. As the guests were researchers, they seemed very interested. At the toll bridge, I showed my guide credentials as usual, and while there was a brief question about whether a guide qualified for the exemption, I signed my name and was allowed in free of charge. Recently, as the number of tourists in Matsushima has increased, some of the places that previously offered free entry with guide credentials seem to have changed their policies. The sightseeing boat was the same, offering a 10% discount for both me and the guests. When informing guests of costs in advance, it is a good idea to include the guide's portion in the estimate just in case.
The guests had been looking forward to the sightseeing boat, and since they wanted to take photos from the Green seats on the second floor, they paid for the upgrade and we went up to the second floor. From time to time they stepped out onto the deck to enjoy the scenery and take photos. (I kept an eye on the luggage.)
We passed along the approach to Zuiganji, and I asked whether they preferred Zuiganji or Entsuin, choosing Entsuin where photos could be taken. It had rained while we were on the sightseeing boat, so the guests remarked how beautiful the maple leaves looked, wet from the rain. I mentioned that they would likely see dry landscape gardens on their upcoming tour in Kyoto as well, and I passed this along to the Kyoto guide.
The guests were mindful of their bullet train time, and when I heard it was 2:53, I noted that there was plenty of time, but since they needed to return to the hotel to collect their luggage, I took the timing into account. I told them they could get sandwiches to take out at a locally-sourced cafe in Sendai Station, and we parted ways at Sendai Station.
Since this time the guests would also have guides from [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) at other locations (Kyoto and Tokyo), I was glad to pass along notes on dietary allergies and to make sure the places visited would not overlap too closely.
As for photos, everyone was so absorbed in sightseeing that it was difficult to get a photo together. (Permission to publish was obtained.)
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Sendai Station～Matsushimakaigan Station | 420JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Matsushimakaigan Station～Sendai Station | 420JPY |
| Total | 840JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Miyagi tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Monterey Sendai at 8:45, and the tour finished at @ Sendai Station at 13:11.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 26 minutes in total, from 8:45 to 13:11.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fukuura Island, Matsushima Sightseeing Boat, Entsuin Temple, Tenrin-in Temple and Board train from Matsushimakaigan Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 840JPY per person across 2 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Riko is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Miyagi itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello! I’m Riko, your local guide. During the week, I work at a local university, but on weekends, I love to guide visitors like you. This year(2024) marks my 6th year as a guide, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing the beauty of Japan with you.
I’m a certified Sake Navigator, so I have a wealth of knowledge about Japanese sake. Additionally, I’m well-versed in the gourmet scene of Sendai, Shiogama, and Matsushima, allowing me to tailor your tour to your culinary preferences!
I look forward to creating a memorable tour experience for you, full of fun and lasting memories of Japan. Thanks for choosing me as your guide!
May 10, 2026
Nate_K
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun Day in the bay!
Be ready to walk briskly…
May 10, 2026
Nate_K
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun Day in the bay!
Be ready to walk briskly to make the ferry boat! Our guide Riko-san was wonderful and her
local knowledge was very informative.
Apr 30, 2026
Tanakainmaui
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko-san is the best guide!
I originally booked with TripAdvisor,…
Apr 30, 2026
Tanakainmaui
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko-san is the best guide!
I originally booked with TripAdvisor, but cancelled it in order to get a longer tour–8 hours instead of 6. Riko-san was our guide, and she was very knowledgeable about the Sendai/Matsushima area and the attractions we visited. She was also flexible with times and at the end of a long day she even shared the location of her favorite sushi restaurant! Riko-san also helped us locate a guide for our izakaya tour. She went above and beyond the definition of service. We’d love to book with her and her izakaya friend, Mai, again!
Mar 31, 2026
NHDBuilder
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
This is our…
Mar 31, 2026
NHDBuilder
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
This is our first time to Japan, and it can be very confusing but we went with Riko from Japan Guide Agency, and this made this the easiest day possible. We came from North Carolina to Tokyo and now our adventure starts in Sendai after our visit in Tokyo. We wanted a guide to help us navigate this area and we were lucky enough to be assigned “Riko” for the half day. The moment we met her my wife and I were thrilled to be spending a day with her. She speaks wonderful English and with my horrible hearing, I could hear her clearly which makes it so enjoyable. I normally cannot hear soft Japanese voices but she made it so easy for us to hear and understand. We spent the day with her and yes we were tired at the end but it was so worth it to stick it out all day. One of the best things about Riko is; she meets you at your hotel and returns you to your hotel when you are so tired you cannot possibly take another step. Another amazing thing about Riko is she knows the trains and knows how to get the client moved around quickly and efficiently. We had no idea where to go to get the right trains but Riko make it smooth as possible. It was raining all day but we pushed through and that caused all the tourists to not be at the stops we were going to. It was like the shut down the area for us. Since it was raining, Riko would call taxi’s for us and they came almost immediately. Riko is a wealth of information and we even met some of her friends along the way. If you are going to book a tour with this firm, ASK FOR RIKO, I know you will have a great day.
Oct 3, 2025
P
Peggy_M
This was a great tour with Riko
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko was…
Oct 3, 2025
P
Peggy_M
This was a great tour with Riko
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko was our guide for the full-day tour. After we selected the sites we wanted to visit, Riko provided us with a detailed itinerary. Her communication throughout the planning process was clear and thorough, including explanations of the expected admission fees and transportation costs for the day. Our itinerary included visits to Entsu-in Temple, a scenic cruise on Matsushima Bay, and a tour of Zuigan-ji Temple. Riko accompanied us on both the train and ferry, which made it easy for us to relax and fully enjoy each sight without worrying about logistics or directions. In addition to guiding us through the main attractions, Riko went above and beyond by arranging for us to have lunch at a vegan restaurant in Sendai. This thoughtful addition was not part of the original tour, yet it greatly enhanced our overall experience.