Hiroshima: Hiroshima Castlee — Guide Mari
September, 2025
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
- 9:30 a.m. Meet at the lobby of Dormy Inn Hiroshima
- 9:45 a.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 12:00 a.m. Visit Hiroshima Castlee
- 1:00 p.m. Lunch at Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki restaurant
- 2:30p.m. End the tour at Memorial Cathedral for World Peace
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at lobby of Dormy Inn Hiroshima at 09:30, the group explored Hiroshima until the tour ended at 14:30. The day ran to 5 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki restaurant at 13:00.
The itinerary covered Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 09:45 and Hiroshima Castlee at 00:00.
Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, and Okonomiyaki
The guests were visitors from North America. It was everyone's first time in Hiroshima, and the day before they had visited Miyajima, where they hiked Mount Misen all the way from the base to the summit. Since it was a three-day holiday weekend and the museum was expected to be crowded, we visited the Peace Memorial Museum first. There were many people, but it was not extremely crowded, and everyone viewed each exhibit very seriously and carefully.
Afterward, we folded paper cranes together at the rest house and offered them at the Children's Peace Monument, and they told me it was a wonderful experience.
At Hiroshima Castle, a wedding was being held at the Gokoku Shrine, and they were delighted to be able to see a traditional wedding ceremony.
They also enjoyed okonomiyaki, and we had lively conversations about many topics, including popular foods and local dishes in North America, pets, and differences between homes in North America and Japan.
We had planned to part ways at the lunch venue, but I learned that after the tour they were planning to attend Mass at the World Peace Memorial Cathedral, so I saw them there, which they greatly appreciated.
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.
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!
Jul 26, 2026
Celine B
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
A faire
Une belle visite, bcp d’émotions.
Mari a été…
Jul 26, 2026
Celine B
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
A faire
Une belle visite, bcp d’émotions.
Mari a été une super guide et nous a permis de mieux comprendre ce quil s’est passé ici. Merci à elle
やるべきこと
とても素晴らしい見学でした。たくさんの感動がありました。
Mariさんはとても素晴らしいガイドで、この場所で何が起こったのかをより深く理解できるように案内してくださいました。ありがとうございました。
Jun 25, 2026
Bill_C
Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
My son and I really…
My son and I really…
Jun 25, 2026
Bill_C
Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
My son and I really…
My son and I really enjoyed our tour with our tour guide Mari. She was extremely
knowledgeable and engaging. We felt like she went above and beyond to ensure a good
experience.
Jun 22, 2026
Beth W
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mari is a fantastic guide for your Visit…
Jun 22, 2026
Beth W
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mari is a fantastic guide for your Visit to Hiroshima!!
Mari was a fantastic guide !!! I hope you get her when you book this tour!!! She is charming and quite knowledgeable . We had some poignant moments at the peace park and such interesting insights into the Japanese culture and history. She knows the ins and outs taking us a bit off the beaten track as requested. And we had a great lunch !!!! The traditional Japanese layered pancake whose name I cannot spell. I look forward some day to returning and meeting up again with dear Mari!