Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima Island & Daishoin Temple — Guide Mari

Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Miyajima and Hiroshima Peace Park Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Europe who were very close and like family to each other. One of them understood very little English, so the other occasionally interpreted for them. Both were very cheerful, and one of them spoke to me with gestures in their own language. Their stay in Japan was about three weeks, all arranged by a travel company, and we first confirmed the itinerary with the travel company's representative. After Japan, they planned to spend about a week in Asia, for a total trip of about a month.

They came to Hiroshima from Kobe by bullet train, waking at 5:30 a.m., and the Hotel had prepared a breakfast for the bullet train, but since there was no coffee, they wanted some. So after arriving in Miyajima, I first guided them to a coffee shop. They loved espresso and were very pleased that it was delicious.

We were able to visit Itsukushima Shrine at a time that was uncrowded for the season, and at Daishoin Temple there were few tourists, so they could see it in a calm atmosphere. For lunch we went to a place with a nice view and few tourists, and they enjoyed the anago (conger eel) rice bowl. In Miyajima they took many photos throughout. It was their fifth day in Japan, but they still had jet lag and could not sleep well at night, so they took a nap during the World Heritage Sea Route cruise.

At the Peace Memorial Park, they knew that the Atomic Bomb Dome was designed by an architect from their region, and they asked many questions. Also, when we folded paper cranes together, they were very delighted and immediately took photos to send to their family back home. Since the museum was very crowded, I asked their preference and guided them quickly through only the highlights.

One of the guests preferred to take breaks, so I tried to proceed with rest stops as much as possible, but I was surprised that even after I told them it would take about 40 minutes on foot from the Peace Park to Hiroshima Station, they still wished to walk. We walked together to Hiroshima Station, and since there was time before the bullet train, I asked their preference and guided them to an okonomiyaki restaurant. They wished to change the time of their bullet train ticket, so while they were eating, I went to inquire at the counter, but unfortunately it was a non-changeable ticket. I informed them about the ticket and ended the tour at the okonomiyaki restaurant.

They also planned to travel to Okinawa and, since they had a full free day, they asked me to introduce a guide, so I recommended a 6-hour tour in Naha through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/).

Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Mari

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.