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
- 9:20 a.m. Meet at Hotel
- 9:50 a.m. Take the ferry to Miyajima Island
- 10:35 a.m. Arrive at Miyajima Island
- 10:50 a.m. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- 11:30 a.m. Visit Daishoin Temple
- 12:45 p.m. Lunch and Explore the shopping street
- 2:00 p.m. Take the ferry and JR train to Hiroshima station
- 3:30 p.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
- 5:15 p.m. End of the tour in Hiroshima City center
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Hiroshima began at 09:20, when the guide met the guests at Hotel, and finished at 17:15. The day ran to 7 hours and 55 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch and Explore the shopping street at 12:45.
From there the group visited Take the ferry to Miyajima Island at 09:50, Miyajima Island at 10:35, Itsukushima Shrine at 10:50, Daishoin Temple at 11:30, Take the ferry and JR train to Hiroshima station at 14:00 and Shukkeien Garden at 15:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima by train (420JPY); Hiroshima to Shukkeien-mae by bus (240JPY); Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima (1,200JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 1,860JPY per person.
Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting from Europe, and mentioned that they had originally lived in North America before relocating about five years earlier. They were very cheerful and polite, and they shared many stories with me during the tour, which I truly enjoyed.
Since I received a message that they had already visited the Peace Park the day before, I quickly adjusted the itinerary so we could spend more time exploring Miyajima, and visited Shukkeien Garden instead of the Peace Park.
Perhaps because it had been snowing lightly and cold since the previous day, Miyajima was quiet today, allowing us to explore at a leisurely pace. They had purchased a goshuin (temple/shrine stamp) book in Tokyo, and were delighted to receive stamps at Itsukushima Shrine and Daisho-in Temple.
We were also able to catch the very last of the autumn foliage, and they took many photos.
For lunch, they enjoyed a conger eel rice bowl and sake, and they found the momiji manju so cute that they bought many different varieties.
Both of the guests love animals, and they were thrilled when they came across a Papillon dressed in a kimono at Itsukushima Shrine. With the owner's permission, we were able to take photos. When a deer was about to eat some trash, they gently took it away, saying it would make the deer sick, and I was moved by how kind-hearted they were.
They also loved Shukkeien Garden, and since there were few people around, they said it was so peaceful and the scenery so beautiful that they wanted to stay there forever. When I mentioned that I had taken my pre-wedding photos at Shukkeien Garden, they took photos in the same spot, which was a little embarrassing for me but became a fun and lovely memory.
Finally, I guided them to some shops for shopping and to restaurants in the city serving okonomiyaki and teppanyaki for their dinner, and the tour came to an end.
The guests told me they had been traveling to a different country each month this year, and during our travels they showed me photos of the countries they had visited and shared recommendations for places and foods. We also showed each other our wedding photos, and it was very enjoyable.
At the end, they told me that they would absolutely come back to Hiroshima, and that they would surely be back soon, and that they were so happy to have made a wonderful friend. I was truly delighted to hear this.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Hiroshima | 420JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Hiroshima～Shukkeien-mae | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Peace Memorial Park～Miyajima | 1,200JPY |
| Total | 1,860JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel at 09:20, and the tour finished at of the tour in Hiroshima City center at 17:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 55 minutes in total, from 09:20 to 17:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Take the ferry to Miyajima Island, Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Take the ferry and JR train to Hiroshima station and Shukkeien Garden.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,860JPY 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.
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!