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
- 9:00a.m. Meet at the lobby of Hotel
- 9:15a.m. Take a bus to Shukkeien Garden
- 9:20a.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
- 10:20a.m Take a taxi to the Peace Park
- 10:30a.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 12:30p.m. Lunch at Okonomiyaki
- 1:30p.m. Take a direct ferry to Miyajima Island
- 2:15p.m. Arrive in Miyajima Island
- 2:30p.m. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- 3:30p.m. Visit Daishoin Temple
- 4:00p.m. Explore Shopping Street
- 4:30p.m. Take a Ferry and a JR train to the hotel
- 5:00p.m. End of the tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at lobby of Hotel at 09:00, the group explored Hiroshima until the tour ended at 17:00. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at Okonomiyaki at 12:30.
The itinerary covered Take a bus to Shukkeien Garden at 09:15, Shukkeien Garden at 09:20, Take a taxi to the Peace Park at 10:20, Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 10:30, Take a direct ferry to Miyajima Island at 13:30, Miyajima Island at 14:15, Itsukushima Shrine at 14:30, Daishoin Temple at 15:30, Explore Shopping Street at 16:00 and Take a Ferry and a JR train to the hotel at 16:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima to Shukkeien-mae by bus (240JPY); Peace Park to Miyajima (1,200JPY); Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima by train (420JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 1,860JPY per person.
What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. I spoke slowly and in short segments to make sure everything was easy to follow. Shukkeien Garden was quiet, so the guests were able to enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace.
We took a bus from Hiroshima Station to Shukkeien Garden, but the bus was crowded and we had to stand, so afterward we traveled from Shukkeien Garden to the Peace Park by taxi for a more comfortable journey.
At the Peace Park, the guests were very interested in the story of the paper cranes, and we folded some together and offered them at the Children's Peace Monument.
The Peace Memorial Museum was very crowded with school trip groups and tourists. One of the guests rested on the first floor of the East Building after viewing it, while I guided the other through the highlights of the Main Building at a slightly quicker pace.
The guests really enjoyed the okonomiyaki for lunch and said it was a lot of fun to watch it being prepared right in front of them.
After lunch we crossed to Miyajima via the World Heritage Sea Route. The guests seemed a little tired and rested on the ferry.
After arriving at Miyajima, we had originally planned to visit Daishoin Temple first, but since walking for long distances was difficult, we visited Itsukushima Shrine together first even though the tide was not yet high. Then one of the guests waited on a bench at Daiganji Temple while I guided the other around Daishoin Temple.
The guests loved Daishoin Temple and mentioned several times how they wished the whole group could have seen it together.
After Daishoin Temple we regrouped, strolled through the shopping street, and returned to the Hotel to end the tour.
There were times when one of the guests waited seated, but the guests were both very calm and kind, and at the end of the tour they thanked me warmly, saying it had been a wonderful memory.
At first I communicated through one of the guests, but gradually they grew more comfortable and we were able to talk directly, slowly but surely. They had a playful sense of humor and made me laugh many times.
The guests said they would love to visit Daishoin Temple on Miyajima together next time, and asked me to guide them again on a future Miyajima tour once they were feeling well, 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 | Bus | Hiroshima～Shukkeien-mae | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Peace Park～Miyajima | 1,200JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Hiroshima | 420JPY |
| Total | 1,860JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at lobby of Hotel at 09:00, and the tour finished at of the tour at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours in total, from 09:00 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Take a bus to Shukkeien Garden, Shukkeien Garden, Take a taxi to the Peace Park, Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum, Take a direct ferry to Miyajima Island, Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Explore Shopping Street and Take a Ferry and a JR train to the hotel.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,860JPY 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!