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

  • 9:30 Meet at Hiroshima Station
  • 9:45-10:30 Travel to Miyajima
  • 10:30-13:20 Miyajima
  • 13:30-14:50 Travel to Shukkeien Garden
  • 14:50-15:30 Shukkeien Garden
  • 15:45-16:00 Travel to Peace Memorial Park
  • 16:00-17:20 Peace Memorial Park
  • 17:30-18:00 Travel to Hiroshima Station
  • 18:00 Dismissal

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 9:30 at Hiroshima Station and ended at 18:00. The day ran to 8 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.

Over the course of the day the route took in Travel to Miyajima at 9:45, Miyajima at 10:30, Travel to Shukkeien Garden at 13:30, Shukkeien Garden at 14:50, Travel to Peace Memorial Park at 15:45, Peace Memorial Park at 16:00 and Travel to Hiroshima Station at 17:30.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi by train (420JPY); Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima by train (420JPY); Hiroshima to Shukkeien-mae by bus (240JPY); Shukkeien-mae to Atomic Bomb Dome by bus (240JPY); Peace Memorial Park/Hiroshima Bus to Hiroshima Station by bus (240JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,560JPY per person.

What Is a Private Hiroshima Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests visited Japan from North America. Since one of the guests was interested in Japanese gardens, I took the group to Shukkeien Garden, which had not been part of the original requests during the pre-tour arrangements. On the day of the tour, the Peace Memorial Museum was extremely crowded with school excursion students, even though it was a weekday. Even after passing through the museum gate, there was a wait of more than ten minutes just to enter the main building, and the guests seemed quite tired by this. It is difficult to predict the level of crowding in advance, but I felt that some kind of response is needed, such as informing guests before entering when it looks likely to be crowded.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainHiroshima~Miyajimaguchi420JPY
Section 2TrainMiyajimaguchi~Hiroshima420JPY
Section 3BusHiroshima~Shukkeien-mae240JPY
Section 4BusShukkeien-mae~Atomic Bomb Dome240JPY
Section 5BusPeace Memorial Park/Hiroshima Bus~Hiroshima Station240JPY
Total1,560JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at Hiroshima Station at 9:30, and the tour finished at at 18:00.

How long does the tour last?

About 8 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 9:30 to 18:00.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Travel to Miyajima, Miyajima, Travel to Shukkeien Garden, Shukkeien Garden, Travel to Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Park and Travel to Hiroshima Station.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 1,560JPY per person across 5 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?

To 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 Hiroshima itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.

Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. I was born in Nagasaki Prefecture and spent a total of approximately 17 years there. After graduating from university and completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima in 1984. Hiroshima has been my home base for more than 42 years, including approximately five and a half years during which I was posted to Germany and the United States. I worked as an engineer at Mazda Motor Corporation for 40 years. While working at Mazda, I earned a Ph.D. in Engineering through a doctoral program designed for working professionals at a national university. During the final five years of my career at Mazda, I was assigned to Hiroshima University, where I served as a Specially Appointed Professor and Deputy Director of a research center. In this role, I led the development of the center’s organizational and operational framework and advanced more than 20 industry–university collaborative research projects across four major research programs, contributing to regional revitalization. Living in Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Germany, and the United States has deepened my appreciation for the distinct histories and cultures of different regions and broadened my international perspective. Drawing on these experiences, I strive to offer tours that allow guests from around the world to feel comfortable and relaxed while enjoying a genuinely engaging experience. After retiring from Mazda at the end of March 2024, I embarked on a new chapter in my life as a licensed local guide in Hiroshima. In addition to renowned destinations such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, I am delighted to introduce guests to Hiroshima’s history, culture, natural beauty, local cuisine, and everyday life, tailoring each tour to their individual interests and preferences. It is my sincere hope that every guest will enjoy a truly personal and memorable experience while discovering the authentic spirit of Hiroshima. I very much look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima!

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