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
- 9:04 Meet at the Shinkansen platform
- 10:20 Arrive at Miyajima by JR + ferry
- Stroll around Miyajima + visit Itsukushima Shrine
- 11:40 Take the ropeway to Shishiiwa Observatory
- Tour Shishiiwa Observatory
- 13:10 Lunch (okonomiyaki)
- 13:55 Depart Miyajima (ferry + JR + taxi)
- 15:00 Arrive at Peace Park
- Tour the Peace Memorial Museum, stroll around Peace Park
- 17:00 Arrive at Hiroshima Station by Hiroden streetcar, tour ends
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:04 at Shinkansen platform and ended at 17:00. The day ran to 7 hours and 56 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch (okonomiyaki) at 13:10.
Over the course of the day the route took in Miyajima by JR + ferry at 10:20, Take the ropeway to Shishiiwa Observatory at 11:40, Miyajima (ferry + JR + taxi) at 13:55 and Peace Park at 15:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi by train (420JPY); Miyajimaguchi to Nishi-Hiroshima by train (330JPY); Genbaku Dome-mae to Hiroshima Station by train (240JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 1,140JPY per person.
What Is a Private Osaka Food and Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Since their native language was not English, communication in English was occasionally a little difficult, and at times some of the guests interpreted for others in the group, so I made an effort to communicate directly by choosing simple words as much as possible. All of the guests were light on their feet and cheerfully enjoyed sightseeing throughout the tour. While hearing detailed stories about their home region, I also gave detailed explanations about Japan. They were very pleased with the okonomiyaki I recommended.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Hiroshima Station～Hiroshima Station | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Hiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi | 420JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Nishi-Hiroshima | 330JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Genbaku Dome-mae～Hiroshima Station | 240JPY |
| Total | 1,140JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Shinkansen platform at 9:04, and the tour finished at Arrive at Hiroshima Station by Hiroden streetcar, at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 56 minutes in total, from 9:04 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Miyajima by JR + ferry, Take the ropeway to Shishiiwa Observatory, Miyajima (ferry + JR + taxi) and Peace Park.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,140JPY per person across 4 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?
Woody 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, I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. My name is Shinya Tanaka, but you can call me Woody because I run my own company which makes products made of wood. So, I can introduce Japan’s various wooden culture from toys to castles.
I like beer, watching sports, jogging and cooking.
I was born and raised in Hiroshima City. Hiroshima has 2 major tourists’ destinations, Itsukushima shrine and the Atomic Bomb Dome. Even so, there are many other wonderful spots here in Hiroshima.
As a tour guide and a Hiroshima citizen, I will be able to share a great time with you here.
I am looking forward to meeting you all someday. See you.
Self-introduction YouTube: https://youtu.be/2nJMzPT-Mc4
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shinya.tanaka.9889
Jun 19, 2026
P5566OYcolleens
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Highly recommend
Fantastic tour and guide. Woody was enthusiastic about his…
Jun 19, 2026
P5566OYcolleens
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Highly recommend
Fantastic tour and guide. Woody was enthusiastic about his culture and the tour. The island
was super amazing, kids loved the deer, and the shrines were some of the most beautiful
we’ve seen in Japan.
Apr 26, 2025
Holly_B
Unforgettable Day at Miyajima and Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had such…
Apr 26, 2025
Holly_B
Unforgettable Day at Miyajima and Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had such a wonderful full day of touring Miyajima and Hiroshima. Our guide, Shinya Tanaka (Woody) communicated with us before the tour and had a wonderful thorough laid out plan including Okonomiyaki for lunch. Woody was friendly, knowledgeable and organized. We could tell he loved being a tour guide and he was passionate about his hometown telling us about the impact the bombing had on his life. Woody also made origami cranes with our 3 kids ages 16, 14, 10 to dedicate to the children’s monument. It was such a special day that we will never forget.
Jan 13, 2025
davidmP2030SZ
Great day in Miyajima
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Woody was very knowledgeable and friendly. Tailored…
Jan 13, 2025
davidmP2030SZ
Great day in Miyajima
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Woody was very knowledgeable and friendly. Tailored our tour to our requests and went
out of his way to make sure our tour was an enjoyable one.