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 the Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station
- 9:35a.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
- 10:30 Visit Hiroshima Castle
- 11:15a.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 12:40p.m. Lunch (1,000 JPY – 2,000 per adult)
- Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki restaurant
- https://hiroshima-benbe-ootemachi.owst.jp/en/
- 2:00 p.m. End of the tour at Hiroshima Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:20 at Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station and ended at 14:00. The day ran to 4 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch (1,000 JPY – 2,000 per adult) at 12:40.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shukkeien Garden at 09:35, Hiroshima Castle at 10:30 and Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 11:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hondori by train (240JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 240JPY per person.
What Is a Private Hiroshima Peace Park and Shukkeien Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had traveled from North America to Asia, and then came to Japan. It was a special trip for the group, and I was honored to guide them. Since neither of us was a native English speaker, we communicated slowly and used simple words as much as possible. One of the guests was studying Japanese and also spoke to me in Japanese. They mentioned that the guide in Osaka the day before was not Japanese, and they were happy that today's guide was a native Japanese speaker, giving them plenty of opportunity to practice Japanese. At Shukkeien Garden, one of the guests took many photos. Another guest had a deep interest in history and listened attentively as I spoke about the atomic bombing and about my grandfather, who was a survivor. While waiting for the restroom at Hiroshima Station, they had received a paper crane, and at the Peace Park they offered that paper crane at the Children's Peace Monument. The museum was quite crowded, and one of the guests found it hard to look at the depictions of injured children and moved through quickly, while another guest viewed the exhibits carefully. They really enjoyed the okonomiyaki we had for lunch and thanked me many times for bringing them there. We had a lively conversation about our families and about recommended sightseeing spots and food in North America, and it was a very relaxed and warm tour.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Hondori / Hiroshima Electric Railway Bus～Hiroshima Station | 240JPY |
| Total | 240JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station at 09:20, and the tour finished at of the tour at Hiroshima Station at 14:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 40 minutes in total, from 09:20 to 14:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle and Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 240JPY per person across 1 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!