Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour — Guide Shin
October, 2024
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
- 7:45 Meet at hotel (change request from guest the previous day to 7:45, to secure breakfast time) Travel to Miyajima
- 9:10 Miyajima Pier, Great Torii Gate, Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in Temple, Forest Path, Momijidani (Maple Valley), Senjokaku, carp viewing, lunch (vegetarian at Starbucks)
- 13:00 Travel from Miyajima to Peace Park via JR Yokogawa
- 14:10 Atomic Bomb Dome and other major monuments
- 15:20 Obtain audio guide at the museum and disband
Title: What Is a Private Miyajima and Hiroshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America with a strong interest in Japanese history, culture, and Buddhism. Because of this, we decided to visit Daisho-in Temple of the Shingon sect after Itsukushima Shrine, which had not been part of the original plan. I guided them around the sand mandala, the Henjokutsu Cave, and the Daishi-do Hall. Afterward, we walked along a path at the foot of the mountain, where I introduced the primeval forest vegetation unique to Miyajima, and combined with the scent of the Seto Inland Sea, the guests seemed refreshed. At the Peace Memorial Park, I guided them somewhat quickly through the major monuments apart from the museum. They had visited Japan several times before, and promised to return to Hiroshima on a future trip to Japan.
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 | Hatchobori～Hiroshima Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Hiroshima～Miyajimaguchi | 420JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Yokogawa | 330JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Yokogawa Station～Atomic Bomb Dome | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,190JPY | ||
I have been an English and Italian guide for 10 years in Hiroshima, Miyajima, Okayama, Kurashiki, Iwakuni, Himeji, Osaka, Kochi and Sanin. I used to work for the Japanese trading house in Milan Italy for 9 years, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam for 2 years and Kobe /Osaka for 25 years. I was engaged in the textile and apparel division covering European and Asian market. Moreover, I worked for a food company who produce special sauce for okonomiyaki, famous local food. After retiring, I live in Hiroshima, my hometown, working as a tourist guide mainly, sometimes as an Italian interpreter for A-bomb survivor testimonies and translation. I guide you about history, culture, architecture, art, industry, economy and so on according to your interests and wishes. My hobby is oil painting of the scenery of the Inland Sea of Seto, the first national park of Japan and visiting art museum. I am interested in impressionists and works during renaissance.
Mar 21, 2025
Carol B
Peaceful Tour with Kind Local
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Relaxed tour with…
Mar 21, 2025
Carol B
Peaceful Tour with Kind Local
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Relaxed tour with Hiroshima-native who personalized our tour experience to meet our
interests and expectations. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful tour of
Hiroshima/Miyajima with a knowledgeable local.
Dec 10, 2024
Catherine_U
Great Half Day with Shin!
Viator review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We enjoyed our half day tour…
Dec 10, 2024
Catherine_U
Great Half Day with Shin!
Viator review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We enjoyed our half day tour to Miyajima from Hiroshima with our private guide, Shin, a professional guide with Japan Guide Agency, in November 20. He met us at our hotel, which was next to the train station, then escorted us to the train and then to the ferry over to Miyajima. Lots of wild deer strolling about here but not as tame as those in Nara-avoid feeding them! Our first stop after brief walk from the ferry was the famous Torii gate that stands in the water. We were not there at low tide so we could not walk out to it but were happy just seeing and it (and posing for pictures. Our guide offered to take many photos for us). We also visited the Itsukushima Shrine and learned about the different buildings and uses of the Shrine and observed a bride and other traditions. We also walked through the peaceful and beautiful Momijidani Park and learned how to get to the Miyajima Ropeway to get to the top of the mountain for great views. Our guide showed us around to see the Senjokaku Shrine area, and some of the Omotesando Shopping Arcade, where we had a snack and parted ways at the end of our half day together, as we opted to stay in and explore further. Shin made dure we knew how to get back to the ferry and train. We had an excellent walking tour and appreciated our time together. Thank you Shin! Highly recommended! (Not as part of the tour, we took the Ropeway and spent some time enjoying the ride and views from up high, thanks to Shin’s directions. Worth doing if you have time! It was a beautiful day!
Dec 8, 2024
William W
11/10 Great Guide
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Our guide, Mr. Itaki, is…
Dec 8, 2024
William W
11/10 Great Guide
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Our guide, Mr. Itaki, is very knowledgeable. He was able to answer every question we had. He
has a great way of explaining that kept us engaged and focused.
Oct 7, 2024
Shiv_K
We had a lovely visit of…
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a…
Oct 7, 2024
Shiv_K
We had a lovely visit of…
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a lovely visit of Hiroshima and Miyajima. Our guide, Shin-san, was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable and was able to relate cross-culturally to many of our queries. We started off by taking the ferry to Miyajima at high tide. While it was rainy we managed to have a good tour of the Itsukushima shrine. Shin-san then took us to the Daishoin temple where we spent a considerable amount of time. We then did a nature walk and had a brief tour of the town area before hopping on the ferry back to the main land. Shin-san then took us to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.