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
- 10:00 a.m. Meet you in the lobby of the Hotel
- 10:20 a.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
- 11:00 a.m. Visit Hiroshima Castle
- 11:40 a.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch (1,000 to 2,000 JPY per person)
- 2:20 p.m. End of the tour at Hiroshima Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:00 at you in the lobby of the Hotel and ended at 14:20. The day ran to 4 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch (1,000 to 2,000 JPY per person) at 13:15.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shukkeien Garden at 10:20, Hiroshima Castle at 11:00 and Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum at 11:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima Station to In front of the Prefectural Art Museum (in front of Shukkeien Garden) by bus (240JPY); Hondori by bus (240JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 480JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Hiroshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on the Peace Park, Shukkeien, and Okonomiyaki
The guests were visiting from North America. This was their first trip to Japan, and they had traveled through Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto before arriving in Hiroshima. Mount Fuji and Hiroshima were the two places they specifically wanted to see, and they told me they had really wanted to come here to see the Atomic Bomb Dome. At Shukkeien Garden, the guests enjoyed the scenery and were very interested in the connection between the atomic bombing and Shukkeien, asking many questions. They were also interested in the atomic-bombed trees at Hiroshima Castle and happily took photographs of the castle. At the Peace Memorial Park, they had thought there would only be the Atomic Bomb Dome, so they were surprised to learn that there were many other remains and stories, such as the Aioi Bridge, the Children's Peace Monument, and the Rest House, and they listened to the explanations very intently. Finally, we went for okonomiyaki for lunch. They said that few of their previous tours had included lunch, so they were delighted even before we went that they could visit a restaurant recommended by a local guide. They loved the okonomiyaki and watched intently as it was prepared. The guests mentioned that they post about their travels on social media, and told me they would write in detail so that friends coming to Japan in the future would truly understand how wonderful it is to visit Hiroshima, which made me very happy.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Hiroshima Station～In front of the Prefectural Art Museum (in front of Shukkeien Garden) / JR Bus Chugoku | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Hondori / Hiroshima Electric Railway Bus～Hiroshima Station / Hiroshima Electric Railway Bus | 240JPY |
| Total | 480JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at you in the lobby of the Hotel at 10:00, and the tour finished at of the tour at Hiroshima Station at 14:20.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 10:00 to 14:20.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle and Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 480JPY per person across 2 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!