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 Hotel Sendai, head to Sendai Station
- 9:2９ Board the Senseki Line
- 10:10 Arrive at Matsushimakaigan
- 10:17-10:50 Ojima Island
- 11:05-11:30 Godaido, Zuiganji Temple approach
- 11:30 Lunch at "Shun'etsu"
- 13:00 Board the Matsushima Bay sightseeing boat
- 14:00 Kanrantei
- 14:51 Board the Senseki Line
- 15:29 Arrive at Sendai Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Board the Senseki Line at 9:2９, Matsushimakaigan at 10:10, Ojima Island at 10:17, Godaido, Zuiganji Temple approach at 11:05, Board the Matsushima Bay sightseeing boat at 13:00, Kanrantei at 14:00, Board the Senseki Line at 14:51 and Sendai Station at 15:29.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Sendai to Matsushimakaigan by train (420JPY); Matsushimakaigan to Sendai by train (420JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 840JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Scenic Day Tour of Matsushima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. Their reservation had been made the previous October, and after all the correspondence since then, I was very glad to finally meet them. It was their second visit to Japan; on their first trip they had traveled the Golden Route, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nikko. Since they felt they had already seen enough temples and shrines, this time we skipped Zuiganji Temple and made it a tour focused on enjoying the scenery. Looking at the cave clusters and the memorial monuments, they recalled Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Mount Koya, which they had visited before, and seeing the animal carvings at Godaido Hall reminded them of Nikko, so the tour overlapped with their happy travel memories. They asked many questions, actively inquiring "What is this?" and "How old is it?" about the things they saw. They took many photos, and I was relieved that they seemed to enjoy the meals and the wagashi sweets served with tea.
Regarding the guests' reactions: – For lunch, local specialties would have been nice, but since I had heard that one of the guests was not fond of raw fish, I suggested a restaurant specializing in oyster dishes, which was welcomed. Both said it was very delicious and were pleased. – Also, when the topic of the twelve zodiac signs came up at Godaido Hall, I brought out a visual aid chart of the zodiac and pointed to mine, saying "This is my zodiac sign." The guests then found their own zodiac signs based on their birth years and found it very amusing.
Other impressions: – It was very helpful that the guests brought a folding umbrella and a bottle of water. – The morning was sunny and hot, but around noon it began to rain and the sun disappeared. In addition, with the air conditioning inside the sightseeing boat and their sweat cooling down, the guests mentioned feeling cold in the afternoon. Even if it is hot before departure, I thought it would be good to prepare for temperature changes, such as putting a light cardigan in one's bag.
The visual aid was very useful this time. As mentioned above, the zodiac chart got everyone excited, and since we did not enter Zuiganji Temple, I was able to use the diagram to explain it. It was a great help, thank you very much. I look forward to new materials being published in the future.
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Sendai～Matsushimakaigan | 420JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Matsushimakaigan～Sendai | 420JPY |
| Total | 840JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Board the Senseki Line, Matsushimakaigan, Ojima Island, Godaido, Zuiganji Temple approach, Board the Matsushima Bay sightseeing boat, Kanrantei, Board the Senseki Line and Sendai 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?
Miki 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 Mikiko Shiga, a licensed guide interpreter.
I live in Iwaki, Fukushima, about 200km northeast from Tokyo.
I was born in Sendai, the capital of Tohoku or the North East area of Japan.
I ‘ve belonged to a volunteer guide group, I experienced walking tours in Asakusa, and other places in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the area I was born and live in is relatively uncrowded.
Tohoku is blessed with beautiful nature, delicious food and fresh air.
It is recommendable for tourists who want to avoid busy places.
It would be wonderful if I could share the attractions in Tohoku or Ibaraki areas with my guests.
Jul 10, 2026
Jenny_A
Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car with Licensed Guide
Interesting tour to see…
Interesting tour to see…
Jul 10, 2026
Jenny_A
Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car with Licensed Guide
Interesting tour to see…
Interesting tour to see surroundings affected by the tsunami in 2011. Our guide Miki told us about it and showed private photos as she comes from a region also reached by the tsunami. Saw a school close to the water and the Decommissioning Center and was told about the nuclear plant and the work to close it down.
Jun 14, 2026
Michael_B
Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
Fukushima & Iwaki – Excellent Tour With Local Guides…
Jun 14, 2026
Michael_B
Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
Fukushima & Iwaki – Excellent Tour With Local Guides
Seeing and learning about these places would have been enough but learning from those who actually grew up there and personally experienced their history was so much more impactful. Our guide, Miki, and our driver, Mr. Otomo (sp?), could not have been more genuinely welcoming, professional, knowledgeable, and interested in sharing their stories with us. By the end of the tour, they felt much more like friends than guides. The museums and exhibits featured on the tour itinerary are very well done and informative; and the scenery along the way was an unexpected bonus. A great experience all the way around; highly recommended.Note: This tour operator also deserves praise for voluntarily accommodating an unexpected anomaly we experienced along the way; most appreciated.
Mar 23, 2025
Phillosophizing
An Unforgettable Journey Through Resilience and Remembrance
Tripadvisor review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
Our Fukushima…
Mar 23, 2025
Phillosophizing
An Unforgettable Journey Through Resilience and Remembrance
Tripadvisor review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
Our Fukushima Hope Tour with Mikiko “Miki” Shiga was truly exceptional. As a Licensed Guide Interpreter, Miki’s knowledge, compassion, and attention to detail made this powerful experience even more meaningful.
The tour took us through significant sites including the Ruins of Namie Machiritsu Ukedo Elementary School, where Miki thoughtfully translated a children’s story displayed on illustrated plaques throughout the school grounds—each page revealing part of the disaster narrative that we would have completely missed without her.
Miki went above and beyond by recommending a wonderful hotel before our tour, helping with taxi communications, and guiding us to authentic local cuisine at Michinoeki Namie (the katsu and local fish were delicious!). Even on a particularly cold day, she ensured our comfort while still providing a comprehensive experience.
What made this tour truly special was hearing Miki’s personal connection to the events—her own experiences during the earthquake, evacuation stories from locals, and how communities have persevered through devastating circumstances. Her passion for sharing Japan’s history and culture shines through in everything she does.
If you’re considering this tour, I cannot recommend Miki highly enough. Beyond just seeing historical sites, you’ll gain profound insights into human resilience and the ongoing revitalization efforts in Fukushima.
Oct 11, 2024
716zaineb
A wonderful tour worth doing!
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Miki did a wonderful job…
Oct 11, 2024
716zaineb
A wonderful tour worth doing!
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Miki did a wonderful job showing us a small part of Miyagi Prefecture, an area not as well-trodden by Western Tourists. She arranged a fun itinerary and provided lots of local knowledge. She made exploring Matsushima easy, and kindly provided us with plenty of tips for how to spend our remaining days in the area. We had a great time and highly recommend this tour if you find yourself in the area!