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
- 10:40a.m. Meet at the Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station
- 12:00a.m. Arrive in Miyajima Island
- 12:15p.m. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- 12:40p.m. Visit Daishoin Temple
- 1:00p.m. Lunch & Explore shopping street
- 3:00 p.m. Leave the island for Peace Park
- 4:00 p.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 6:15p.m. Take taxi back to Hiroshima Station
- 6:40 p.m. End the tour at Hiroshima station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Hiroshima began at 10:40, when the guide met the guests at Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station, and finished at 18:40. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish. It included lunch & Explore shopping street at 13:00.
From there the group visited Miyajima Island at 00:00, Itsukushima Shrine at 12:15, Daishoin Temple at 12:40, Leave the island for Peace Park at 15:00, Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 16:00 and Take taxi back to Hiroshima Station at 18:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi by train (420JPY); Miyajimaguchi to Shin-Hakushima by train (330JPY); Shin-Hakushima to Hondori (170JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 920JPY per person.
What Is a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. They were visiting Japan for the first time to support a track and field event, staying in Tokyo. Hiroshima was a day trip from Tokyo, and they traveled one way on the Shinkansen, which takes about four hours. When I expressed how happy I was that they had come such a long way, they said that Hiroshima is a historically important place and that they were glad to be able to visit.
At Miyajima, they took many photos and listened attentively to my explanations. Afterwards, they recorded many selfie videos in which they narrated the information themselves, incorporating what they had learned.
They laughed and told me that Japanese toilets have so many buttons that they always struggle to figure out which one to use. They also shared how impressed they were by many things, such as how clean the streets and stations are, and how the seats on trains and ferries can be turned around.
That day there had been an announcement that JR services might be suspended. Although we encountered heavy rain partway through at Miyajima, the rain passed while we were having lunch and the trains kept running, which was a relief.
However, due to the tide levels, the World Heritage sea route was not available during our travel time, so there were many transfers between Miyajima and the Peace Park. I think the journey after exploring Miyajima may have left them a little tired.
At the Peace Park, they again took many photos and videos, and we folded paper cranes together for them to take home as a memento.
Before entering the museum, one guest's phone ran out of memory and the other's phone ran out of battery, so I photographed the exhibits they requested and sent the images to them.
After returning to Hiroshima Station, I showed them to a cafe where they could wait for the Shinkansen, and the tour ended. I received a polite thank-you message from them even after they had boarded the Shinkansen, and they wrote "arigatou" in Japanese, which made me very happy.
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～Miyajimaguchi | 420JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Shin-Hakushima | 330JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Shin-Hakushima～Hondori | 170JPY |
| Total | 920JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station at 10:40, and the tour finished at tour at Hiroshima station at 18:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours in total, from 10:40 to 18:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Leave the island for Peace Park, Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum and Take taxi back to Hiroshima Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 920JPY per person across 3 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?
Mari 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.
Hello. My name is Mari.
I am a certified local tour guide in Hiroshima.
I was born and grew up in Hiroshima until I entered in a university in Tokyo.
After 6 years in Tokyo, I came back to Hiroshima because I really love my hometown and wanted to spend the rest of my life here.
Hiroshima is very comfortable city to live in and rich in nature.
I am so happy that I have been able to raise my kids here.
Hiroshima is absolutely full of beautiful and historically important places and also the great food.
I am so excited to introduce the wonderful experiences here in Hiroshima and hope you will come to love this place, too.
Look forward to meeting you.
Jul 27, 2026
Jen_S21
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
The highlight of our trip!
Mari was an excellent…
Jul 27, 2026
Jen_S21
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
The highlight of our trip!
Mari was an excellent guide and really was the highlight of our 17 day Japan trip. She had great information about Hiroshima, the history and culture. I had selected a start time for the tour but she reached out to recommend a slightly earlier start so we could hit the tide schedule just right for Miyajima Island, which I really appreciated. She also had recommendations for stuff to see and foods to eat. As we took a short break from all the walking, she told us the story of Sadako and the paper cranes, then showed us how to fold our own paper crane and had a bag we could put it in to take it home. It made for a wonderful souvenir. I would HIGHLY recommend this tour, especially if you are lucky enough to get Mari as your guide!
Jul 26, 2026
Celine B
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
A faire
Une belle visite, bcp d’émotions.
Mari a été…
Jul 26, 2026
Celine B
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
A faire
Une belle visite, bcp d’émotions.
Mari a été une super guide et nous a permis de mieux comprendre ce quil s’est passé ici. Merci à elle
やるべきこと
とても素晴らしい見学でした。たくさんの感動がありました。
Mariさんはとても素晴らしいガイドで、この場所で何が起こったのかをより深く理解できるように案内してくださいました。ありがとうございました。
Jun 25, 2026
Bill_C
Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
My son and I really…
My son and I really…
Jun 25, 2026
Bill_C
Viator review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
My son and I really…
My son and I really enjoyed our tour with our tour guide Mari. She was extremely
knowledgeable and engaging. We felt like she went above and beyond to ensure a good
experience.
Jun 22, 2026
Beth W
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mari is a fantastic guide for your Visit…
Jun 22, 2026
Beth W
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mari is a fantastic guide for your Visit to Hiroshima!!
Mari was a fantastic guide !!! I hope you get her when you book this tour!!! She is charming and quite knowledgeable . We had some poignant moments at the peace park and such interesting insights into the Japanese culture and history. She knows the ins and outs taking us a bit off the beaten track as requested. And we had a great lunch !!!! The traditional Japanese layered pancake whose name I cannot spell. I look forward some day to returning and meeting up again with dear Mari!