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.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:30 Hotel (Greeting & Itinerary Explanation)
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- 11:00 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
- 12:00 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
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- 12:30 Lunch (CoCo Ichibanya: Gluten-Free Curry)
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- 13:30 Hiroshima Castle (Ninomaru Tea Ceremony Experience)
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- 14:30 Shukkeien Garden (Escort to Entrance, Tour Ends)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Hotel (Greeting & Itinerary Explanation) at 10:30, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum at 11:00, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park at 12:00 and Hiroshima Castle (Ninomaru Tea Ceremony Experience) at 13:30.
Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
After briefly explaining the itinerary at the Hotel, the guests mentioned that they were good at walking, so we walked about 20 minutes to Peace Memorial Park. Since the museum gets very crowded in the afternoon, we visited it first. Because the tickets had been reserved online, we were able to enter smoothly. I did not accompany the guests inside, but they said it was very crowded. The guests shared their impressions, saying that although it was very sad, it was history that should be learned. Since the guests were visiting from North America, I spoke about the atomic bomb carefully while observing how they were feeling. At first we were both still getting used to each other and conversation was a bit reserved, but by the time we finished at Peace Memorial Park we had warmed up to one another. During lunch, the guests told me a lot about their travels in Japan before coming to Hiroshima (Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto) and showed me many photos. On the way to Hiroshima Castle, the guests mentioned that they loved matcha, and it happened that a tea ceremony was being held at the Ninomaru area of Hiroshima Castle, so they were able to take part and were very pleased. As the weather was nice, I asked for their preference and guided them to Shukkeien Garden to conclude the tour. This was the first tour I handled with [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), and I was able to complete it without any trouble. Thank you very much.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Hello. My name is Mari.
I am a certified local tour guide in Hiroshima.
I was born and grew up in Hiroshima until I entered in a university in Tokyo.
After 6 years in Tokyo, I came back to Hiroshima because I really love my hometown and wanted to spend the rest of my life here.
Hiroshima is very comfortable city to live in and rich in nature.
I am so happy that I have been able to raise my kids here.
Hiroshima is absolutely full of beautiful and historically important places and also the great food.
I am so excited to introduce the wonderful experiences here in Hiroshima and hope you will come to love this place, too.
Look forward to meeting you.
Sep 26, 2026
F1357GRpaulg
Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Mari was a delightful guide. We…
Sep 26, 2026
F1357GRpaulg
Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Mari was a delightful guide. We had such a lovely day with her. We would thoroughly recommend a day in Miyajima and Hiroshima with Mari.
Sep 29, 2026
Matthew_T
Do not miss this tour of Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
This was fantastic. Mari…
Sep 29, 2026
Matthew_T
Do not miss this tour of Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
This was fantastic. Mari was a phenomenal guide. She has a personal family connection to the atomic bombing and she’s lived in Hiroshima all her life. She was knowledgable; funny, and respectful of my goals (sites, time spent, photo taking). And lunch was great afterwards!
Sep 28, 2026
Passport734191
As good as it gets in Hiroshima!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Mari was a very…
Sep 28, 2026
Passport734191
As good as it gets in Hiroshima!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Mari was a very good tour guide with a personal family connection to Hiroshima (her grandfather was a survivor of the bombing). She was filled with local and historical knowledge, and was very respectful of the subject matter. She was great in giving me space for my own personal moments as well as flexible with taking photos. She’s got a great sense of humor and we had a wonderful few h
Jul 27, 2026
Jen_S21
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
The highlight of our trip!
Mari was an excellent…
Jul 27, 2026
Jen_S21
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
The highlight of our trip!
Mari was an excellent guide and really was the highlight of our 17 day Japan trip. She had great information about Hiroshima, the history and culture. I had selected a start time for the tour but she reached out to recommend a slightly earlier start so we could hit the tide schedule just right for Miyajima Island, which I really appreciated. She also had recommendations for stuff to see and foods to eat. As we took a short break from all the walking, she told us the story of Sadako and the paper cranes, then showed us how to fold our own paper crane and had a bag we could put it in to take it home. It made for a wonderful souvenir. I would HIGHLY recommend this tour, especially if you are lucky enough to get Mari as your guide!