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
- 1. 11:27 Meet up Hiroshima Station
- 2. 11:45 Travel Hiroshima Station→Hiroshima Castle
- 3. 12:00 Stay Hiroshima Castle, Gokoku Shrine
- 4. 13:40 Stay Lunch SOKO CAFE, Hassho
- 5. 14:40 Travel Hiroshima Castle→Peace Park
- 7. 15:10 Stay Peace Park, Peace Memorial Museum
- 8. 17:10 Travel Peace Park→Hiroshima Station
- 9. 17:35 Disband Hiroshima Station
Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Asia, and the tour had been arranged by a member of the group's family. From the pre-tour emails, I could sense a strong wish for the guests to have a wonderful time in Hiroshima, and I found myself sharing that same feeling even before we met. Perhaps that is why, when we met, it did not feel like a first meeting at all. One of the guests seemed to enjoy walking, while the other preferred a slower pace. At Hiroshima Castle, one of the guests had initially planned to wait outside, but was able to come up to the second floor with us and take a photo wearing a samurai helmet, which was a lovely moment. One of the guests, who enjoyed taking photographs, had been taking many pictures from the moment we met. Their manner was so much like that of a photographer that when I mentioned this, the guests laughed together. The Peace Memorial Park was clearly a place the guests absolutely wanted to visit, and they listened very attentively to the explanations. I kept the pace comfortable, adding breaks and a lunch stop, and the guests were very grateful that they were able to see everything they had hoped to see. I saw them off at Hiroshima Station with a little time to spare, ending the tour.
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Platform～Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Platform | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit～Hiroshima Castle | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Peace Park Front～Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit | 240JPY |
| Total | 630JPY | ||
Hello, my name is Namitsu Katayama. I’m from Hiroshima. It would be my pleasure to show you around Hiroshima, the place which I love so much.
Hiroshima is beautiful, interesting and fun! I would be happy if you could enjoy our tour, and I hope that it will make you want to visit Hiroshima again in the future. I hope you will like our local food and Hiroshima specialties, too.
I look forward to talking with you. I would be delighted if I could help you deepen your understanding of Japan and come to love it even more.
I love travelling and enjoy both domestic and international travel. I would like to make use of my experience to be able to respond flexibly to your requests. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to contact me.
May 30, 2026
wheatbreadmartin
Tripadvisor review: Onomichi Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Off the beaten path with a great guide!
Our guide, Namitsu, was…
May 30, 2026
wheatbreadmartin
Tripadvisor review: Onomichi Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Off the beaten path with a great guide!
Our guide, Namitsu, was kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and well prepared. She guided us through Onomichi. She explained the history of the town and guided us through its attractions, including many Buddhist shrines and a sky lift to an observation point. There’s a cat shrine, too. She found us a great place for ramen, and helped us with connections. We loved seeing the city with her.
After the fast pace of Tokyo and Osaka, our side trip to Onomichi was refreshingly calm. But bring your walking shoes!
Apr 10, 2026
165bozenam
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
A fascinating and highly recommended tour.
We had a…
Apr 10, 2026
165bozenam
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
A fascinating and highly recommended tour.
We had a fascinating day with Namitsu. Namitsu, met us at the Shinkansen platform and was very helpful in getting our voluminous luggage stored, making sure we made the most of our day in comfort and that we got on to the right platform and train for our onward journey to Kyoto. She was very informative, teaching us about the religious practices at Shinto and Buddhist shrines as well as the the history of Miyajima. Despite terrible weather we had a wonderful day at this most beautiful place. She also found us a gorgeous place for lunch there. Hiroshima was very moving. Namitsu was a font of knowledge. I am so glad we had her with us to take us round the Peace Park and explain the event , the aftermath and the memorials, particularly the monument for peace to commemorate Sadako Sasaki and the thousands of child victims of the atomic bomb. The Museum itself was very crowded and it was hard to see the photographs and exhibits through the throng, so having Namitsu’s guidance before going to the musuem was invaluable. Namitsu also organised for us to savour a typical Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Namitsu is a lovely lady and I would highly recommend this tour.
Jul 28, 2025
Reggie_R
This tour was a great way…
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
This tour was…
Jul 28, 2025
Reggie_R
This tour was a great way…
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
This tour was a great way to make to the most of our time in Hiroshima. We learned so much, had amazing food, and were able to see the beautiful Itsukushima-jinja on Miyajima Island. Hiroshima would not have been as impactful if it weren’t for our incredibly knowledgeable tour guide, Nami. This is definitely a part of Japan that having a tour guide makes the experience 10x better.
Apr 1, 2025
ruthl654
Great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Namitsu was a wonderful guide. She was…
Apr 1, 2025
ruthl654
Great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Namitsu was a wonderful guide. She was very knowledgeable and answered all our
questions. I appreciated her deep knowledge about the a bomb attack and her guiding us
through the museum.