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
- 8:00 a.m. Meet at the lobby of the Hotel Hiroshima
- 8:20 a.m. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum
- 10:40 a.m. Take a direct ferry to Miyajima
- 11:25 a.m. Arrive at Miyajima Island
- 11:40 a.m. Lunch
- 12:20 p.m. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- 1:00 p.m. Visit Daishoin Temple
- 2:45 p.m. Take a ferry and JR train to Hiroshima station
- 3:30p.m. Arrive at Hiroshima station and escort to ticket counter
- 4:00p.m. End of the tour at Hiroshima station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at lobby of the Hotel Hiroshima at 08:00, the group explored Hiroshima until the tour ended at 16:00. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at 11:40.
The itinerary covered the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum at 08:20, Take a direct ferry to Miyajima at 10:40, Miyajima Island at 11:25, Itsukushima Shrine at 12:20, Daishoin Temple at 13:00, Take a ferry and JR train to Hiroshima station at 14:45 and Hiroshima station and escort to ticket counter at 15:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima by train (420JPY); Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima (1,200JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 1,620JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. One of them was visiting Hiroshima for the second time, having come previously with another member of the family.
The tour started early in the morning and it was very cold, but the guests were deeply interested in history and listened intently to the stories of the atomic bombing and reconstruction of Hiroshima, asking many questions. We entered the Peace Memorial Museum around 9:00, and since it was very uncrowded, they were able to view the exhibits at a relaxed pace.
The World Heritage Sea Route from the Peace Park also had plenty of open seats today, and the seats were arranged facing the windows, so the guests could sit comfortably and enjoy the scenery.
They were also very interested in paper cranes, so we folded paper cranes together while traveling on the World Heritage Sea Route. One of the guests wanted to learn how to fold them to make them together with a grandchild, and folded three cranes while working hard to memorize the technique.
Since the guests wished to have oysters for lunch, we went to an oyster restaurant in the Miyajima shopping street and then visited Itsukushima Shrine. It happened to be high tide, and the guests were delighted by how beautiful it was. At Daishoin Temple, the corridor tour and the Henjokutsu Cave were a very interesting experience, and the guests kindly thanked me, saying that they would never have gone there without a guide and were grateful that I had brought them. It made me very happy.
We had planned to return via the World Heritage Sea Route, but the guests asked for help reserving Shinkansen tickets to Osaka for the next day, so we changed the plan and took the JR together to Hiroshima Station, where we reserved the tickets and ended the tour.
Even after the tour, the guests sent me a photo saying they had folded paper cranes at the hotel, and told me they would send photos from their next destination as well. It was a truly heartwarming tour.
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 | Miyajimaguchi～Hiroshima | 420JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Peace Memorial Park～Miyajima | 1,200JPY |
| Total | 1,620JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at lobby of the Hotel Hiroshima at 08:00, and the tour finished at of the tour at Hiroshima station at 16:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours in total, from 08:00 to 16:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum, Take a direct ferry to Miyajima, Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Take a ferry and JR train to Hiroshima station and Hiroshima station and escort to ticket counter.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,620JPY per person across 2 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!