Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden — 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 12:10 p.m. Meet at Shinkansen Gate, Hiroshima Station
- 12:20 p.m. Lunch at Okonomiyaki restaurant
- 1:00 p.m. Take a bus to Shukkeien Garden
- 1:10 p.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
- 2:00 p.m. Take a bus to Peace Memorial Park
- 2:00 p.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 5:00 p.m. Tour ends at Hiroshima station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 12:10 at Shinkansen Gate, Hiroshima Station and ended at 17:00. The day ran to 4 hours and 50 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at Okonomiyaki restaurant at 12:20.
Over the course of the day the route took in Take a bus to Shukkeien Garden at 13:00, Shukkeien Garden at 13:10, Take a bus to Peace Memorial Park at 14:00 and Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima Station／JR Bus Chugoku to Shukkeien-mae by bus (240JPY); Shukkeien-mae to Atomic Bomb Dome-mae／JR Bus Chugoku by bus (240JPY); Atomic Bomb Dome-mae to Hiroshima by train (240JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 720JPY per person.
What Is a Private Day Trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America on their first trip to Japan, staying for a period of time. They made a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima with [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/).
Since they arrived around midday, I had reserved an okonomiyaki restaurant and took them there, which they were very pleased with.
We also had a lively conversation together, sharing everyday experiences.
At Shukkeien Garden, they enjoyed watching the koi being fed and took many photos.
At Peace Memorial Park, we folded paper cranes together and offered them at the Children's Peace Monument. When I told them that the paper cranes are recycled and used for children's graduation certificates, they were very delighted.
At the Peace Memorial Museum, the guests looked very earnestly at the records showing the treatment of survivors and the accounts from the relief stations.
It was a very meaningful trip, and I was very happy when they said they would definitely recommend a Hiroshima trip to their friends, many of whom are planning to visit Hiroshima as well.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Hiroshima Station／JR Bus Chugoku～Shukkeien-mae | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Shukkeien-mae～Atomic Bomb Dome-mae／JR Bus Chugoku | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Atomic Bomb Dome-mae～Hiroshima | 240JPY |
| Total | 720JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Shinkansen Gate, Hiroshima Station at 12:10, and the tour finished at Tour ends at Hiroshima station at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 50 minutes in total, from 12:10 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Take a bus to Shukkeien Garden, Shukkeien Garden, Take a bus to Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 720JPY per person across 3 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?
Mari 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.
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.
Sep 26, 2026
F1357GRpaulg
Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Mari was a delightful guide. We…
Sep 26, 2026
F1357GRpaulg
Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Mari was a delightful guide. We had such a lovely day with her. We would thoroughly recommend a day in Miyajima and Hiroshima with Mari.
Sep 29, 2026
Matthew_T
Do not miss this tour of Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
This was fantastic. Mari…
Sep 29, 2026
Matthew_T
Do not miss this tour of Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
This was fantastic. Mari was a phenomenal guide. She has a personal family connection to the atomic bombing and she’s lived in Hiroshima all her life. She was knowledgable; funny, and respectful of my goals (sites, time spent, photo taking). And lunch was great afterwards!
Sep 28, 2026
Passport734191
As good as it gets in Hiroshima!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Mari was a very…
Sep 28, 2026
Passport734191
As good as it gets in Hiroshima!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Mari was a very good tour guide with a personal family connection to Hiroshima (her grandfather was a survivor of the bombing). She was filled with local and historical knowledge, and was very respectful of the subject matter. She was great in giving me space for my own personal moments as well as flexible with taking photos. She’s got a great sense of humor and we had a wonderful few h
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!