Hiroshima in One Day: Miyajima Island & Hiroshima Station — Guide Mari

Title: What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Walking Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Oceania. It was their first time in Japan, and they came to Hiroshima after visiting Tokyo and Kyoto.

The weather was unfortunately poor, with steady heavy rain, but the guests were very kind and enjoyed the scenery of Miyajima despite getting wet in the rain.

At Itsukushima Shrine, the wait was only about 10 minutes, but they had to wait without any roof overhead. The rain was strong and it was cold, and I felt sorry that one of the guests seemed to be catching a cold, but they smiled and told me that the great torii gate and the misty scenery in the rain were very beautiful.

Since the cherry blossoms were still just barely in bloom, we passed through a cherry blossom spot on the way to Daishoin Temple. They were delighted, saying we were really lucky to come to such a beautiful, uncrowded place with lovely cherry blossoms. At Daishoin Temple, they were very moved by the Five Hundred Rakan statues and enjoyed walking through the corridors.

On the way to lunch, one of the guests mentioned that although they had worn a down jacket, it was not waterproof and they had gotten wet through to the inside. Because one of them seemed to be catching a cold, they said they would like to give up on visiting Peace Memorial Park this time and return to Hiroshima Station. They kindly told me not to worry since it was their own decision, but I still felt very sorry. When I asked another guide who was going around Peace Memorial Park, I heard that on that day the Peace Memorial Museum had entry restrictions with a one-hour wait outside, so I shared this information as well, and we decided to skip Peace Memorial Park this time.

I decided to help them with the ticket change procedure at Hiroshima Station, and we went to lunch. They really liked the okonomiyaki, and during lunch we had a relaxed atmosphere as they practiced Japanese and showed me photos of a beach near their home in Oceania.

We went to the ticket window at Hiroshima Station to change the tickets, but since the arrangements had been made through a local travel agency, they could not be changed, so we had to wait at Hiroshima Station until the 6 o'clock Shinkansen. I gave them a tour of the inside of Hiroshima Station. They became interested in the Carp, so we visited shops selling Carp goods and also went to shops with Hiroshima specialty souvenirs.

Finally, we went to a restaurant inside the station, talked a little about the Peace Memorial Park we could not visit, and folded paper cranes together, which delighted them very much.

They told me they would come again to Peace Memorial Park another time, and that this had been the best trip for them this time. It was a tour that I felt was truly saved by the guests.

Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Mari

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.