Hiroshima in Half a Day: Miyajima — Guide To
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 Miyajimaguchi Ferry Terminal
- 10:50-14:00 Miyajima (Great Torii Gate, Itsukushima Shrine, Tahoto Pagoda, Daisho-in Temple, Omotesando)
- 14:30 Disband at World Heritage Sea Route Terminal
What Is a Private Walking Tour of Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. We shared some fond conversations about the region, as there was a past connection to living there many years ago. On the day of the tour, the weather was good, and it was comfortable to explore Miyajima on foot. The tide was also high, and the Great Torii Gate and the shrine appeared as if they were floating on the sea. However, because the tide was too high, there were times when it was not possible to enter Itsukushima Shrine, so I guided them along a route in the reverse direction to avoid this. In addition, since we did not need to use the travel time to Miyajima, I was able to take them to a scenic spot that I usually cannot visit due to lack of time, and I felt that the guests were satisfied with this tour. A notable stop on the tour was Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima. Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine famous for its iconic "floating" Great Torii Gate, which stands in the sea and appears to float during high tide. The shrine complex is built over the water on wooden pillars and is renowned for its elegant architecture harmonizing with the surrounding natural landscape. It has long been regarded as one of Japan's most scenic locations and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Click here for more details: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Hi! My name is Kazuhisa To. I was born in Nagasaki Prefecture and spent a total of approximately 17 years there. After graduating from university and completing graduate school, I moved to Hiroshima in 1984. Hiroshima has been my home base for more than 42 years, including approximately five and a half years during which I was posted to Germany and the United States. I worked as an engineer at Mazda Motor Corporation for 40 years. While working at Mazda, I earned a Ph.D. in Engineering through a doctoral program designed for working professionals at a national university. During the final five years of my career at Mazda, I was assigned to Hiroshima University, where I served as a Specially Appointed Professor and Deputy Director of a research center. In this role, I led the development of the center’s organizational and operational framework and advanced more than 20 industry–university collaborative research projects across four major research programs, contributing to regional revitalization. Living in Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Germany, and the United States has deepened my appreciation for the distinct histories and cultures of different regions and broadened my international perspective. Drawing on these experiences, I strive to offer tours that allow guests from around the world to feel comfortable and relaxed while enjoying a genuinely engaging experience. After retiring from Mazda at the end of March 2024, I embarked on a new chapter in my life as a licensed local guide in Hiroshima. In addition to renowned destinations such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, I am delighted to introduce guests to Hiroshima’s history, culture, natural beauty, local cuisine, and everyday life, tailoring each tour to their individual interests and preferences. It is my sincere hope that every guest will enjoy a truly personal and memorable experience while discovering the authentic spirit of Hiroshima. I very much look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima!
Sep 28, 2026
anita2336
The best time in Hiroshima
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
This was one of…
Sep 28, 2026
anita2336
The best time in Hiroshima
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
This was one of the best excursions we have had on our trip! Our guide , To, was absolutely fabulous! Quite possibly one of the best in Japan! He was so warm; welcoming, informative and most important, punctual! We were cruise ship passengers and To made sure we were on time and kept a rigorous schedule to ensure we are not stressed about missing the ship even though we had a packed itinerary. His wife even made us Origami paper cranes as gifts and To brought us extra folding paper to practice. Definitely don’t hesitate to book with this company when you’re in Hiroshima , and ask for To! He will make your time extra special
Sep 23, 2026
Mostew
Private tour with To – Hiroshima / Miyajima
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
We…
Sep 23, 2026
Mostew
Private tour with To – Hiroshima / Miyajima
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
We spent an interesting and insightful day with our guide, To. He very efficiently toured us around Miyajima Island and the key spots at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. He was very considerate of our needs and the sites we were mosted interested in. We received some excellent recommendations for local food specialities to try and appreciated the additional information he was able to provide at the sites we visited The tour was exactly what we wanted.
Aug 30, 2026
644lucys
Fantastic guide, full and wonderful day.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Today we had…
Aug 30, 2026
644lucys
Fantastic guide, full and wonderful day.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Today we had a full day with Kazuhisa To exploring Hiroshima and Miyajima Island. To was great with communication leading up to the day and made us feel very comfortable with a full itinerary provided before we arrived. The day was well thought out and covered everything we wanted to see in the area. To was knowledgeable and clearly passionate about his city and its history. He was friendly and easy to spend the day with, and booked us a beautiful place for lunch. We are so thankful to have had such a wonderful day! Thank you To!
Jul 21, 2026
anza
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
We had a…
Jul 21, 2026
anza
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Excellent Walking Tour with Kazuhisa To
We had a wonderful day with our guide Kazuhisa To. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and kept us on track with our busy itinerary. He was the best tour guide we had on our entire trip to Japan. We highly recommend him.