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
- 8:55 Meet at Mitsui Garden Hiroshima
- 9:05 Shirakamisha Shrine/ A-bombed trees & structures
- 9:15 Japan Bank
- 9:30 Peace Memorial Park
- 11:20 Arrived at Miyajima
- 11:45 Itsukushima Shrine
- 12:30 Daisho-in Temple
- 13:15 Lunch at Torii
- 14:10 Omote-Sando
- 15:40 Hiroshima Castle Park
- 16:10 End the tour in front of the castle
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Mitsui Garden Hiroshima at 8:55, the group explored Hiroshima until the tour ended at 16:10. The day ran to 7 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at Torii at 13:15.
The itinerary covered Shirakamisha Shrine/ A-bombed trees & structures at 9:05, Japan Bank at 9:15, Peace Memorial Park at 9:30, Arrived at Miyajima at 11:20, Itsukushima Shrine at 11:45, Daisho-in Temple at 12:30, Omote-Sando at 14:10 and Hiroshima Castle Park at 15:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: In front of the Atomic Bomb Dome to Yokogawa Station by train (220JPY); Yokogawa to Miyajimaguchi by train (330JPY); Miyajimaguchi to Yokogawa by train (330JPY); In front of Yokogawa Station to In front of Motomachi Elementary School by bus (220JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 1,100JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Peace Park, Miyajima, and Hiroshima Castle
The guests were visitors from Oceania, and it was mentioned that, aside from a trip to a neighboring country in the region, this was their first time traveling abroad. Since they had visited a museum the previous day, the tour focused mainly on the Peace Park and Miyajima.
Today was another very hot day, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees. We stopped to rehydrate twice along the way. On a Hiroshima tour, you can refill water for free at places such as the Peace Memorial Museum, the Rest House, inside the MUJI store, and the TOTO hospitality restrooms. At okonomiyaki restaurants, the owner will also offer water.
When I asked about their wishes, they said they wanted to visit Hiroshima Castle, so the tour concluded at Hiroshima Castle. The pedestrian walkway from the soccer stadium is a new photo spot for Hiroshima Castle. If you take the bus from Yokogawa Station, you get off at the very spot where canna flowers bloomed the month after the atomic bombing, which adds an extra sense of significance.
As it was time to finish at the castle, the tour came to an end.
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 | In front of the Atomic Bomb Dome～Yokogawa Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Yokogawa～Miyajimaguchi | 330JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Yokogawa | 330JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | In front of Yokogawa Station～In front of Motomachi Elementary School | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,100JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Mitsui Garden Hiroshima at 8:55, and the tour finished at tour in front of the castle at 16:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 8:55 to 16:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shirakamisha Shrine/ A-bombed trees & structures, Japan Bank, Peace Memorial Park, Arrived at Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in Temple, Omote-Sando and Hiroshima Castle Park.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,100JPY per person across 4 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?
Michi 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.
Hi. I’m Michi. I’m a national licensed tour guide in English.
I want to introduce many faces and charms of Japan and make your stay in Japan more fascinating and satisfying.
I was born and raised in Hiroshima. My first tour in English was as a volunteer guide for the visitors to my school when I was a junior high school student. It gave me a great opportunity to study about the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
I spent my life in Hiroshima except for 6 years; 1 year in the UK as a student and 5 years working in Singapore and Malaysia. During this period I enjoyed meeting and talking with people from different cultural backgrounds.
These experiences encouraged me to be a licensed tour guide.
In Hiroshima, there are two famous World Heritage Sites, the Atomic Bomb Dome in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial & Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima.
I have experienced many tours of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum & Park since I was a junior high school student. I would like to introduce you to the a-bomb legacies that are still existing in the city and the stories under the mushroom cloud.
I also would like to share time with you on a historic island, Miyajima. There is one of the most famous Shinto shrines, the Itsukushima Shrine. We can share an enjoyable time by exploring a sacred atmosphere, tradition, nature, food, etc.
I am also an official ‘A-bomb legacy successor’ designated by the City of Hiroshima. An A-bomb Legacy Successor is a memory keeper of the A-bomb survivors. To ensure that the A-bomb survivors’ experiences and desires for peace are faithfully inherited and shared with as many people as possible, the City has started a three-year training program for official ‘A-bomb Legacy Successors. ‘
Let me support your stay in Japan and I look forward to showing you the best of Japan!
Hope to see you soon!
Jan 2, 2025
georgeweller
Excellent tour by a very knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Michi-San was an…
Jan 2, 2025
georgeweller
Excellent tour by a very knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Michi-San was an excellent tour guide. She took us to Shukkei-en which is a beautiful shrine with gardens, water, turtles, koi, and much more. You will get some of the best photographs in Hiroshima. Michi-San provided a wealth of information about the shrine, tea houses, koi, and turtles. We loved it.
Next we went to Hiroshima Castle and Michu-San spent a lot of time going over the history of Japan and the castle. It was extremely informative.
Last we finished up with the Atomic Bomb memorial and museum. Michi-san’s information again was very thorough and informative. All in all we had a great time and would use Michi-San as a tour guide again.
Nov 8, 2024
Andrew M
Awesome experience! Michi was the best guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Awesome…
Nov 8, 2024
Andrew M
Awesome experience! Michi was the best guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Awesome experience! Michi was an amazing guide and we had a great day! Thank you so
much and I definitely recommend this when visiting Hiroshima!
Nov 8, 2024
Andrew_M
Awesome day! Michi was an amazing guide!
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Awesome day!…
Nov 8, 2024
Andrew_M
Awesome day! Michi was an amazing guide!
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Awesome day! Michi our guide was excellent and fully enjoyed our experience in Hiroshima.
I definitely recommend this experience!! Very efficient with time and get to see a lot in one
day!
Sep 16, 2024
alexandermM7944BB
Day tour with Michi
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Michi, our guide, was amazing!…
Sep 16, 2024
alexandermM7944BB
Day tour with Michi
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Michi, our guide, was amazing! Very knowledgeable of both local and Japanese history. We took many pictures of the beautiful scenery along the way, and Michi shared her insider knowlege on the best photo and lunch spots. Thank you Michi for an excellent day and educational tour experience.