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
- 9:50 Meet @ Hotel
- 10:08〜10:41 Travel to Higashi-Shiogama Station
- Take a taxi
- 11:00 @ Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market
- Travel by taxi
- 12:25 @ Shiogama Shrine
- 13:00 @ Stroll around the Shiogama Honmachi district (Okama Shrine, Cafe Harema, Cleobanteru, Tanrokuen)
- 13:59〜14:15 Travel to Matsushimakaigan Station
- 14:20 @ Zuiganji Temple
- 15:10〜15:51 Travel to Aoba-dori Station
- 16:00 Disperse near the Westin Sendai
Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Sendai to Shiogama and Matsushima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time. They mentioned they wanted to go to the Shiogama wholesale market and try some fish, so bearing in mind that last order is at noon on weekdays, I asked whether we could leave a little earlier, and we were able to catch the 10:08 train. Since it was raining today, I asked whether they would like to use a taxi in places while the rain continued, and they said yes, please.
The market is a 15-minute walk from Higashi-Shiogama Station, but as it was raining steadily, we took a taxi. At the market we walked through and took a quick look around, then came back later to the fish that had caught their interest.
One of the guests likes octopus, and since the seafood unique to Shiogama is tuna, they wanted to try it, so I took them to a specialist stall. When I explained that tuna landed in Shiogama is auctioned here first, then goes to Tokyo for a second auction, they were amazed. Trying the sashimi of natural bluefin tuna, one of the guests was moved and said, "I've never eaten anything this delicious." Since there is some distance from the market to Shiogama Shrine, I asked whether they would like to take a taxi and called one. At Shiogama Shrine the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms were out. As this was their first visit to Japan, I also explained how to worship at a shrine. Going down the slope, we strolled around the Shiogama Honmachi district, where one of the guests showed interest in a handmade chocolate shop and the ceramics at Tanrokuen and did some shopping. They must have really liked something at Tanrokuen, as they bought two 6,000-yen Kutani artisan cups.
As we were about to move on to Matsushima, they seemed tired. Around 14:00, one of the guests murmured, "Maybe I'll head back to the hotel." I asked what they would like to do, mentioning that on the way back to Sendai I could show them places such as Mitakisan Fudoin. They went once to the outbound platform, but then one of them said, "The temple I said I wanted to see, the one in Sendai… Zui…" so I said, "If you mean Zuiganji, that's in Matsushima, only 10 minutes from here. Going back to Sendai takes 30 minutes, but Matsushima is just 10 minutes away." They replied, "Yes, I've been wanting to see Zuiganji," so we moved to the inbound platform. Walking as slowly as possible so as not to tire them, we arrived at Zuiganji. They marveled at the red-and-white Garyubai plum trees and the golden waiting room. On the way back, they relaxed on the train, and when they asked me for a beef tongue recommendation on board, I suggested that if they were tired, Rikyu behind the Westin might be a good choice. We used taxis today, but as they did not seem to walk much, they appeared a little tired.
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Aoba-dori～Higashi-Shiogama | 350JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Hon-Shiogama～Matsushimakaigan | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Matsushimakaigan～Aoba-dori | 440JPY |
| Total | 1,000JPY | ||
Hello! I’m Riko, your local guide. During the week, I work at a local university, but on weekends, I love to guide visitors like you. This year(2024) marks my 6th year as a guide, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing the beauty of Japan with you.
I’m a certified Sake Navigator, so I have a wealth of knowledge about Japanese sake. Additionally, I’m well-versed in the gourmet scene of Sendai, Shiogama, and Matsushima, allowing me to tailor your tour to your culinary preferences!
I look forward to creating a memorable tour experience for you, full of fun and lasting memories of Japan. Thanks for choosing me as your guide!
May 10, 2026
Nate_K
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun Day in the bay!
Be ready to walk briskly…
May 10, 2026
Nate_K
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun Day in the bay!
Be ready to walk briskly to make the ferry boat! Our guide Riko-san was wonderful and her
local knowledge was very informative.
Apr 30, 2026
Tanakainmaui
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko-san is the best guide!
I originally booked with TripAdvisor,…
Apr 30, 2026
Tanakainmaui
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko-san is the best guide!
I originally booked with TripAdvisor, but cancelled it in order to get a longer tour–8 hours instead of 6. Riko-san was our guide, and she was very knowledgeable about the Sendai/Matsushima area and the attractions we visited. She was also flexible with times and at the end of a long day she even shared the location of her favorite sushi restaurant! Riko-san also helped us locate a guide for our izakaya tour. She went above and beyond the definition of service. We’d love to book with her and her izakaya friend, Mai, again!
Mar 31, 2026
NHDBuilder
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
This is our…
Mar 31, 2026
NHDBuilder
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
This is our first time to Japan, and it can be very confusing but we went with Riko from Japan Guide Agency, and this made this the easiest day possible. We came from North Carolina to Tokyo and now our adventure starts in Sendai after our visit in Tokyo. We wanted a guide to help us navigate this area and we were lucky enough to be assigned “Riko” for the half day. The moment we met her my wife and I were thrilled to be spending a day with her. She speaks wonderful English and with my horrible hearing, I could hear her clearly which makes it so enjoyable. I normally cannot hear soft Japanese voices but she made it so easy for us to hear and understand. We spent the day with her and yes we were tired at the end but it was so worth it to stick it out all day. One of the best things about Riko is; she meets you at your hotel and returns you to your hotel when you are so tired you cannot possibly take another step. Another amazing thing about Riko is she knows the trains and knows how to get the client moved around quickly and efficiently. We had no idea where to go to get the right trains but Riko make it smooth as possible. It was raining all day but we pushed through and that caused all the tourists to not be at the stops we were going to. It was like the shut down the area for us. Since it was raining, Riko would call taxi’s for us and they came almost immediately. Riko is a wealth of information and we even met some of her friends along the way. If you are going to book a tour with this firm, ASK FOR RIKO, I know you will have a great day.
Oct 3, 2025
P
Peggy_M
This was a great tour with Riko
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko was…
Oct 3, 2025
P
Peggy_M
This was a great tour with Riko
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko was our guide for the full-day tour. After we selected the sites we wanted to visit, Riko provided us with a detailed itinerary. Her communication throughout the planning process was clear and thorough, including explanations of the expected admission fees and transportation costs for the day. Our itinerary included visits to Entsu-in Temple, a scenic cruise on Matsushima Bay, and a tour of Zuigan-ji Temple. Riko accompanied us on both the train and ferry, which made it easy for us to relax and fully enjoy each sight without worrying about logistics or directions. In addition to guiding us through the main attractions, Riko went above and beyond by arranging for us to have lunch at a vegan restaurant in Sendai. This thoughtful addition was not part of the original tour, yet it greatly enhanced our overall experience.