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
- 9:00 Meet @ Sendai Station
- 9:20-9:33 Move to Zuihoden by Loople Sendai
- 9:40 @ Zuihoden
- 10:33-10:38 Move to Sendai City Museum by Loople Sendai
- 10:50 @ Sendai City Museum
- 11:38-12:03 Move to Osaki Hachimangu by Loople Sendai
- 12:10 @ Osaki Hachimangu
- 12:43-13:07 Move to Sendai Station by Loople Sendai
- 13:10 @ Disband in front of Sendai Station
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests had lived in the Shiogama and Sendai area about thirty years ago, and we enjoyed talking about many things. During our email exchanges, when I mentioned that Shiogama was the neighboring town, they asked "Which town?" and when I answered, they said "Shichigahama? I've been there. I once taught English at a kindergarten." I replied, "Was it near the sea? That's the kindergarten I graduated from!" What an amazing coincidence. They said they would go to Shiogama and Matsushima on their own later, so for this tour they asked me to focus on Sendai. As we traveled, we reminisced about their life in Miyagi and about how a kindergarten teacher had asked them to teach English there. When they wondered whether Shiogama had changed a lot, I answered, "The basic places haven't changed. New shops and a museum have opened." Perhaps because today was a weekday with cloudy skies, the Loople bus was much emptier than the last time I rode it. As the vehicle is small, we still couldn't get seats, though. At Zuihoden, the guests were very knowledgeable about history and had read a book about Japanese history in advance. They looked at the exhibits in the museum with great enthusiasm. Incidentally, unlike a few years ago, this time when a guide-interpreter accompanied the guests we received "complimentary tickets." I showed my guide license just in case. A few years ago guides also had to pay the admission fee, so perhaps the policy has changed. The guests had brought their goshuin (temple stamp) books to both Zuihoden and Osaki Hachimangu and wished to receive stamps, so I inquired at the counters, but both offered only pre-written slips. At Osaki Hachimangu, a set of five goshuin cost a suggested donation of 1,000 yen, which I thought was expensive. I wish it were like other temples and shrines where you can choose the stamp you like and offer a smaller donation. By the way, when I mentioned that Shiogama Shrine, Zuiganji, and Entsuin write the stamps by hand in your book, they said they were looking forward to visiting after thirty years. On the way back, we took the same train; I got off at Tagajo Station and the guests got off at Hon-Shiogama Station, where we parted ways. They asked me how to get to the Sendai Daikannon the next day, and where they could eat gyoza near Hon-Shiogama. I told them time was tight, but that a certain restaurant should still be open, so they should hurry after getting off. When I told them that early-blooming cherry blossoms had been in bloom at Shiogama Shrine the day before, so they should look forward to it, they seemed very happy.
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | In front of Sendai Station～In front of Zuihoden | 630JPY |
| Section 2 | Free Pass | In front of Zuihoden～In front of Museum・International Center・Ryokusaikan | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | In front of Museum・International Center・Ryokusaikan～In front of Osaki Hachimangu | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Free Pass | In front of Osaki Hachimangu～In front of Sendai Station | 0JPY |
| Total | 630JPY | ||
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.