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 Meet in front of Starbucks Coffee at JR Hiroshima station
- 10:10 Move to Peace Memorial Museum by taxi (20 min)
- 10:30 Peace Memorial Museum (60 min)
- 11:30 Peace Park- A-bomb Dome (40 min)
- 12:20 Take Ferry boat from Peace Park to Miyajima (45min)
- 13:05 Arrive Miyajima
- 13:15 Walk Omotesando St.
- 13:50 Back to the ferry port to pick up one guest who joined late.
- 14:00 Lunch
- 14:40 Itsukushima Shrine/Daiganji Temple (60min)
- 15:40 Machiya St. and tea break (40min)
- 16:55 Take Ferry boat from Miyajima to Miyajimaguchi
- 17:05 Arrive Miyajimaguchi Ferry dock
- 17:22 Take JR train from Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima station
- 17:52 Arrive Hiroshima Station
- 18:00 Tour Finish – Send them to Shinkansen ticket counter
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
On the morning of the tour, I received a message via a messaging app from the person who had made the booking, saying that they were feeling unwell and would not be able to come to Hiroshima, but that the rest of the group would still join the tour. I met the guests at Hiroshima Station and, as planned, we headed to Peace Memorial Park. Along the way, I received a follow-up message that the person who had said they would be absent would join us after all. Using the messaging app, I provided directions and information for reaching Miyajima, and we were able to meet up successfully on Miyajima. There was a bit of a scramble as the plans changed, and I was slightly surprised, but I was glad to be able to guide the group I had originally been scheduled to accompany around Miyajima.
The guests had already visited quite a number of shrines and temples across Japan and were collecting goshuin (temple and shrine seals). They had the Itsukushima Shrine goshuin recorded in their goshuin book, and kept the World Heritage seal and the Miyajima-guchi seal in a separate notebook, and everyone was very pleased. It was a refreshing surprise, and also a joy, to see the guests take such an interest in the Japanese cultural tradition of goshuin.
In the end the tour ran over by more than an hour (I did not charge for the extra time), but at the Shinkansen ticket counter the guests all greeted me with smiles, saying how much they had enjoyed the day, and I was able to end the day with a warm feeling. I was relieved to have safely completed my first full-day tour in the heat of midsummer.
For this booking, after it was made I initially had trouble getting in touch with the guest, and being inexperienced I was rather at a loss, but with support from the team at [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) I was able to establish contact with the guest. I am truly grateful for the thoughtful support and assistance I always receive from [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/). I look forward to continuing to work with you.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kanayamacho～Hiroshima Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Ferry | Peace Park～Miyajima | 1,100JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Hiroshima Station～Kanayamacho | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Hiroshima Station | 420JPY |
| Total | 1,960JPY | ||
Hello there!
I’m Hiroko Aikawa, your local host in Hiroshima. I am here to provide full support to ensure you have a wonderful time and experience in Hiroshima and Japan.
I am eager to introduce and share my passion for Japanese culture, Japanese gardens, pottery, kimono, dyeing, and weaving that is beautiful Japanese art for those (guests) who are interested in them.
As a food enthusiast, I can also recommend the best culinary experiences in Hiroshima for those who love delicious food.
As for my work background, I worked for Ford Motor Company from Japan/Asia Pacific for 30+ years to work with many people in the world and now it is the time for meeting many guests from the world.
I look forward to welcoming you in Hiroshima and Miyajima!
May 7, 2025
stevene928
We did more than we thought we would in one day – 19,000 steps!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private…
May 7, 2025
stevene928
We did more than we thought we would in one day – 19,000 steps!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Hiroko met us at the Hiroshima train station and took us to Miyajima by Ferry. We toured the shops, had lunch, and got educated on the shrines and the island.
After that we took a boat back to Hiroshima City and toured the Peace Museum inside and the grounds and were educated on why the monuments were erected.
Then we walked to an observation building where we could see the whole city and how it had been reborn since WWII. Then we went shopping at a huge outdoor covered mall. W then toured the city gardens with beautiful flowers and garden and ponds with huge Koy fish (colored carp).
Hiroko then took a cab with us to the station to make sure we were on our way safely
Apr 28, 2025
StephanieMcGovern17
Ask for Hiroko!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
This trip was amazing thanks to…
Apr 28, 2025
StephanieMcGovern17
Ask for Hiroko!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
This trip was amazing thanks to our incredible guide, Hiroko! Please request her personally when booking. She is born and raised in Hiroshima and has excellent English as she worked in the United States for 30 years.
To start, she promptly met us in our hotel lobby with printed itinerary for each member of our party. We started on the train to Miyajima as tide was high allowing for beautiful photos of floating torii gate. We got on ferry to Miyajima and arrived on the island. Hiroko provided facts and information along the way. We stopped for snacks at some of her favorite places and enjoyed momiji and oysters. Later we took the ferry to Hiroshima Peace Park. This was a more emotional and intense experience. She allowed us to walk the museum and waited for us at the end. We then went on to have okonomiyaki and talked about how resilient and peaceful Hiroshima people are and have they have overcome and prospered since the atomic bomb. We then taxi to Shukkeien to view the most beautiful botanical garden and ended our trip here.
At the end, Hiroko gave me a handwritten note in Japanese thanking me for the trip and opportunity to guide us. We are leaving Hiroshima greatly appreciative of her guidance and a lovely time in the city.
Apr 8, 2025
ancas
Best experience!!!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Hiroko was the best guide ever!!! She introduced…
Apr 8, 2025
ancas
Best experience!!!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Hiroko was the best guide ever!!! She introduced us to the local food and best shops, explained the history and culture of the island and offered us the best candies. She became our best friend. I warmly recommend to ask her as your guide!!!!
Anca
Apr 4, 2025
500ericav
Hiroshima and Miyajima stole our hearts
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
My husband and…
Apr 4, 2025
500ericav
Hiroshima and Miyajima stole our hearts
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
My husband and I are on our honeymoon and we were lucky enough to have Hiroko as our guide! Hiroko is an amazing and knowledgeable tour guide. She took us to local spots, that without her, my husband and I would have never found. On Miyajima Island was this amazing spot with freshly made Momiji manjū, filled with sweet or savory delights. I picked 1 cheese filled and 1 chocolate filled and both were absolutely to die for. Back in Hiroshima, Hiroko brought us to a hidden gem, Shukkeien Garden, that had so many photo spots, gorgeous cherry blossoms, a mini bamboo forest, and my favorite, a bunch of hungry jumping coy fish that jumped high into the air from under the water. We ended the day at a local traditional Japanese dessert spot, that is Hiroko regularly attends. This cute little elderly woman came down the steps when we entered the store and we had some of the best traditional Japanese desserts filled with sweet beans and a soft and chewy sweet outer layer. We were also served real Green Tea and learned how to properly drink from a tea cup in Japanese culture. Hiroko even paid for our dessert as a honeymoon present. This tour exceeded my expectations and I could be happier to have met Hiroko.