Miyagi in One Day: Marine Gate Shiogama — Guide Riko
October, 2026
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.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:30@Meet at Sendai Station taxi pool
- 10:30~11:20 Move to Marine Gate Shiogama by taxi
- 12:00~12:50 Matsushima sightseeing boat, Basho course
- 13:00~14:30 Matsushima walk (photo shoot in front of Godaido, short break at Kaki no Ya, etc.)
- 14:30@Zuiganji Temple
- 15:30~16:30 Move to Sendai Castle Ruins by taxi
- 16:30@Sendai Castle Ruins
- 17:00 Disband at Sendai Castle Ruins (guests move to accommodation in Akiu by taxi)
Title: What's a Private Tour of Matsushima and Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were friends visiting from South America. They came to explore places in Japan connected to their roots, and this was their first time visiting the Tohoku region. Only one of them could read and write English, while the others could not. Their common language was Portuguese, but they requested a tour guided in Japanese, as they had also used Japanese back in South America. Since the guests preferred a gentle pace, I made a point of speaking slowly and using simple Japanese.
They told me that visiting Matsushima had been a dream, as it is one of the "Three Views of Japan." Because one of the guests had difficulty walking, we traveled entirely by taxi. Since the trip from Akisu would take considerable time and cost, we used a passing taxi to minimize the burden, and boarded a sightseeing boat from the less crowded Shiogama. I was glad to be able to meet their request of "wanting to take lots of photos."
When I mentioned that Matsushima is famous for oysters, they said they wanted to try raw oysters, so we visited a recently opened oyster restaurant. Since their inn served large meals in the morning and evening, they preferred only a light lunch. At this restaurant, grilled, fried, and raw oysters were served in beautifully presented ways, and the guests enjoyed them so much that they ordered seconds. Although I am a local, it was my first time seeing raw oysters topped with sea urchin and caviar. Such dishes are expensive, so I simply watched and skipped lunch myself.
Considering how tired the guests were, we only viewed Godaido from nearby — when I mentioned there were stairs, they decided to admire it from a distance instead. Before visiting Zuiganji Temple, some of the guests seemed tired, but we decided to see it since there was little else left to view. One of the guests who had difficulty walking waited on a chair in a tent outside the entrance rather than entering the main hall, which was a bit of a shame.
After Zuiganji Temple, we went to the Sendai Castle ruins as requested. The guests seemed tired, and I was a little worried about the long drive, but they enjoyed napping and chatting with the driver along the way. One of the guests remarked, "I notice you don't use any dialect. Is it always like this?" I replied, "Shall I try speaking in dialect then?" and we all laughed. Few people speak in dialect these days. At the Sendai Castle ruins, our time was short, but they seemed satisfied after taking photos. Since there were no taxis at the stand, I called a radio taxi and had everyone wait seated. When I asked what they enjoyed most, they said it was Matsushima and the oysters.
A notable stop on the tour was Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima. Zuiganji is one of the most famous Zen temples in the Tohoku region, originally founded in the 9th century and later rebuilt in the early 17th century under the powerful feudal lord Date Masamune. The temple is renowned for its elegant architecture, beautifully decorated interiors, and the atmospheric cedar-lined approach leading to the main hall, making it a designated National Treasure.
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
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.