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
- 9:00 Meet at the cruise terminal. Take a taxi to the Peace Memorial Museum
- 9:30 Arrive at the museum, enter the building
- 10:30 Museum → Cenotaph → Flame of Peace → Rest House → Children's Peace Monument → Peace Bell → Peace Bell → Atomic Bomb Dome
- 12:00 Pride of Hiroshima → Hypocenter
- 13:10 Okonomiyaki lunch at Wakataka
- 14:30 Take a taxi to the cruise terminal
Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Peace Memorial Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group traveling in Japan by cruise. We were able to enter the memorial museum with almost no waiting, and it was not crowded inside. The guests viewed the exhibits very attentively and asked several questions. During the tour of the memorials in Peace Memorial Park, they also shared things they already knew, and I could sense the depth of their interest. After viewing the exhibition on Hiroshima's reconstruction at Pride of Hiroshima, we went for lunch. They seemed to really enjoy the okonomiyaki. At first I did not receive a reply and wondered how things would turn out (it seemed my email had not reached them), but we managed to get in touch the night before the tour, which was a relief.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
I was born in Fukuyama and have lived in Hiroshima most of my life. After graduating from university, I worked for a company for three years before I got married. Since 1991 I have been an instructor of a tutorial school. I also have been studying English and Chinese as a credited auditor at university. I love traveling abroad and have visited more than 20 countries. And I learned that it is an encounter with people while traveling that made my visit unforgettable. So through my own experience, I want to be a supporter for tourists to Hiroshima and help them make their travel special. My favorite places are Peace Park, Miyajima, Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden. I also recommend green tea from Sera. Actually I know a tea master who grows tea plants without agricultural chemicals and fertilizers. You will find wonders of green tea and learn how to make delicious tea.
Jun 23, 2026
Patricia_M
Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Kazuko was amazing!
Great tour and amazing tour guide. Can’t…
Jun 23, 2026
Patricia_M
Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Kazuko was amazing!
Great tour and amazing tour guide. Can’t recommend Kazuko enough! She was amazing,
so kind and with plenty of attention to details! Very knowledgeable and extremely patient
and accommodating. Just loved her!
Jun 11, 2025
Edward_T
Hiroshima more than the A Bomb
Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Hiroshima is a good…
Jun 11, 2025
Edward_T
Hiroshima more than the A Bomb
Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Hiroshima is a good city, and we were able to appreciate it best with our tour guide Kazuko.
Learned about the before, during and after of the war.
Jun 8, 2025
E
eggtan
Best short tour of Hiroshima Peace Park
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Booked Private 4…
Jun 8, 2025
E
eggtan
Best short tour of Hiroshima Peace Park
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Booked Private 4 hour walking tour in Hiroshima and our family enjoyed it so much. Our local guide Kazuko is the best. She is very energetic, friendly, very knowledgeable, and proud of her hometown Hiroshima. We would not have appreciated the history and facts of Hiroshima without her. Most importantly, she knows where the best Okonomiyaki place and delicacies in Hiroshima.
May 18, 2025
B
Brian_S
Don’t miss Miyajima!
Viator review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Our guide, Kazuko Kuwata, is a delightful…
May 18, 2025
B
Brian_S
Don’t miss Miyajima!
Viator review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Our guide, Kazuko Kuwata, is a delightful woman and toured us expertly around the shrines and temple on this beautiful island in Hiroshima Bay. The Itsukushima Shrine Otorii Gate is certainly a highlight, as it appears to float in the water at high tide, but there is much more to see. The Daishoin Buddhist temple complex is interesting and beautiful. One could easily spend more than a half-day on Miyajima. Highly recommended.