Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour — Guide Namitsu
February, 2025
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
- 1. 8:36 Meet up Hiroshima Station
- 2. 9:05 Travel Hiroshima Station→Miyajimaguchi→Miyajima
- 3. 9:55 Stay Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine, Daiganji Temple, Daishoin Temple, Five-storied Pagoda, Toyokuni Shrine
- 4. 13:10 Stay Lunch Kurawanka
- 5. 14:20 Travel Miyajima→Miyajimaguchi→Peace Park
- 7. 15:30 Stay Peace Park Peace Memorial Museum
- 8. 17:15 Travel Peace Park→Hiroshima Station
- 9. 18:18 Disband Hiroshima Station
What's a Private Day Tour of Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine from Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time, some from Europe and some from North America. A main purpose of their visit was to take part in the Tokyo Marathon together with friends from their university days. The day after arriving they sightseeing in Nara, and the following day they moved from Kyoto to Hiroshima early in the morning for a full day of sightseeing in Hiroshima, so they seemed to be enjoying their trip very energetically. They now live apart in different regions, but they share common hobbies and had been classmates, and I could sense how much they were enjoying their reunion after a long time, so it became an enjoyable tour from the very start.
Since they said they wanted to see the Great Torii Gate at high tide, we moved the meeting time one hour earlier and started the tour. As it was the middle day of a three-day weekend, there were many Japanese tourists as well, and although I had thought that going earlier would mean less crowding, it took more than 30 minutes just to enter Itsukushima Shrine. While we waited, I had them go take some photos along the way, and I felt relieved when we were finally able to enter the shrine. At Itsukushima Shrine a ceremony was being held, so it was wonderful that they were able to see the bugaku dance. I was also glad they enjoyed the okonomiyaki they had wanted to eat, as well as the freshly baked momiji manju.
Since I had been consulted in advance about the bullet train, I gave my answer and asked them to let me know the result. Because I had been able to confirm the departure time of the return bullet train from Hiroshima by email beforehand, I did not check it again on the morning of the tour, but in fact I realized on the bus heading to Hiroshima Station on the return that the departure time in the email had been incorrect. Since I had planned our travel time around the bullet train I had been told about, I thought we had plenty of time to spare, but on the day the road conditions were poor and it took a little longer, so the bullet train we had reserved departed just as we arrived at Hiroshima Station. Inwardly I was truly flustered, but fortunately they were able to travel back on the next bullet train seated side by side, so I was genuinely relieved. I do not think the times would differ greatly, but I resolved that, even when I have a photo of the ticket or have received the time by email, I should confirm the return bullet train time once again.
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 | Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Platform～Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Platform | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Hiroshima Station～Miyajimaguchi Station | 420JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Miyajimaguchi Station～In front of the Atomic Bomb Dome | 270JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | In front of Peace Park～In front of Hiroshima Station | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Platform～Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Platform | 150JPY |
| Total | 1,210JPY | ||
Hello, my name is Namitsu Katayama. I’m from Hiroshima. It would be my pleasure to show you around Hiroshima, the place which I love so much.
Hiroshima is beautiful, interesting and fun! I would be happy if you could enjoy our tour, and I hope that it will make you want to visit Hiroshima again in the future. I hope you will like our local food and Hiroshima specialties, too.
I look forward to talking with you. I would be delighted if I could help you deepen your understanding of Japan and come to love it even more.
I love travelling and enjoy both domestic and international travel. I would like to make use of my experience to be able to respond flexibly to your requests. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to contact me.
May 30, 2026
wheatbreadmartin
Tripadvisor review: Onomichi Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Off the beaten path with a great guide!
Our guide, Namitsu, was…
May 30, 2026
wheatbreadmartin
Tripadvisor review: Onomichi Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Off the beaten path with a great guide!
Our guide, Namitsu, was kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and well prepared. She guided us through Onomichi. She explained the history of the town and guided us through its attractions, including many Buddhist shrines and a sky lift to an observation point. There’s a cat shrine, too. She found us a great place for ramen, and helped us with connections. We loved seeing the city with her.
After the fast pace of Tokyo and Osaka, our side trip to Onomichi was refreshingly calm. But bring your walking shoes!
Apr 10, 2026
165bozenam
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
A fascinating and highly recommended tour.
We had a…
Apr 10, 2026
165bozenam
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
A fascinating and highly recommended tour.
We had a fascinating day with Namitsu. Namitsu, met us at the Shinkansen platform and was very helpful in getting our voluminous luggage stored, making sure we made the most of our day in comfort and that we got on to the right platform and train for our onward journey to Kyoto. She was very informative, teaching us about the religious practices at Shinto and Buddhist shrines as well as the the history of Miyajima. Despite terrible weather we had a wonderful day at this most beautiful place. She also found us a gorgeous place for lunch there. Hiroshima was very moving. Namitsu was a font of knowledge. I am so glad we had her with us to take us round the Peace Park and explain the event , the aftermath and the memorials, particularly the monument for peace to commemorate Sadako Sasaki and the thousands of child victims of the atomic bomb. The Museum itself was very crowded and it was hard to see the photographs and exhibits through the throng, so having Namitsu’s guidance before going to the musuem was invaluable. Namitsu also organised for us to savour a typical Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Namitsu is a lovely lady and I would highly recommend this tour.
Jul 28, 2025
Reggie_R
This tour was a great way…
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
This tour was…
Jul 28, 2025
Reggie_R
This tour was a great way…
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
This tour was a great way to make to the most of our time in Hiroshima. We learned so much, had amazing food, and were able to see the beautiful Itsukushima-jinja on Miyajima Island. Hiroshima would not have been as impactful if it weren’t for our incredibly knowledgeable tour guide, Nami. This is definitely a part of Japan that having a tour guide makes the experience 10x better.
Apr 1, 2025
ruthl654
Great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Namitsu was a wonderful guide. She was…
Apr 1, 2025
ruthl654
Great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Namitsu was a wonderful guide. She was very knowledgeable and answered all our
questions. I appreciated her deep knowledge about the a bomb attack and her guiding us
through the museum.