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 at the central ticket gate on the 2nd floor of Sendai Station
- 9:14- 9:47 Travel to Higashi-Shiogama Station via the Senseki Line
- 9:55@Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market
- 10:35-10:45 Travel to Marine Gate Shiogama by taxi
- 11:00@Matsushima Sightseeing Boat (Basho Course)
- 12:00@Godaido
- 12:30@Oshima
- 13:00 Disband at Matsushima-Kaigan Station
What Is a 4-Hour Private Tour of Shiogama and Matsushima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who had traveled to Japan several times before, though this was their first time in Sendai. When I asked where they were from and they answered a region in North America, I mentioned that my town is a sister city with a place in the same area, and they said, "We know it!" — and that broke the ice. Since they loved the sea, their request was to visit the fish market in Shiogama, take the Matsushima sightseeing cruise, and explore two or three islands if possible. As it was a 4-hour tour, I suggested taking a taxi from the station to the market and from the market to the boat pier to save as much time as possible, and they agreed. On the day of the tour, the market and the pier were bustling with preparations for the eve of the Shiogama Minato Festival. Although there was no tuna landing at the market that day, they seemed intrigued when I explained that it was the site of the first tuna auction before shipment to Toyosu. They also looked with interest at unusual local seafood unique to Miyagi, such as hoya (sea pineapple). At the pier of Marine Gate Shiogama, the ornate ceremonial boat for the next day's Minato Festival was moored, so we took photos with the vividly decorated boat in the background. The interior of the Matsushima sightseeing boat was air-conditioned, so the guests relaxed comfortably without going out onto the deck. After the bustle of Godaido, we strolled around Oshima Island, where they asked about the caves and the history of Matsushima. Since I had told them in advance that this itinerary would bring us to the 4-hour mark at Oshima, I confirmed the location of Matsushima-Kaigan Station and handed them a map of Sendai and Matsushima. They mentioned they would like to explore a little more and asked if I could recommend somewhere for lunch in Matsushima, so I introduced Nihachiya, a restaurant where you can enjoy oysters, grilled seafood, and handmade soba. They were intelligent guests who were also well-versed in matters concerning Japanese universities.
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Sendai～Higashi-Shiogama | 350JPY |
| Total | 350JPY | ||
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.