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
- 09:30 Meet at Hiroshima Station, then take the bus to guide through Shukkeien Garden
- 10:00 Shukkeien Garden guide
- 11:00 Move to Shin-Hakushima Station by bus, then take JR to Miyajimaguchi Station
- 11:30 Lunch (Okonomiyaki at "Hanako" in Miyajimaguchi)
- 13:00 Miyajima・Itsukushima Shrine visit (guide through the Grand Torii and precincts)
- 14:00 Tea time (break at "Fujiiya")
- 14:45 Move to Peace Memorial Park via the World Heritage Sea Route
- 15:30 Peace Memorial Park guide (Atomic Bomb Dome・hypocenter・various memorial monuments)
- 16:20 Peace Memorial Museum (after explanation, 1 hour of free viewing)
- 17:15 Move to Hiroshima Station by bus
- 17:35 Tour ends
What Is a Private Day Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They had joined group bus tours in Kyoto and Kanazawa, but since Hiroshima was the final day of their trip and they wanted to explore it more deeply, they chose a private tour. They had researched Hiroshima very thoroughly in advance and asked many active questions in response to my explanations, which showed their strong intellectual curiosity. Through the quiet time spent at Shukkeien Garden and the guided visits to each memorial in the Peace Memorial Park, I felt they were able to deepen their understanding of Hiroshima's culture and history. At Miyajima, the timing coincided with high tide, so the Great Torii Gate looked beautiful, and taking a break with momiji manju and coffee was also well received.
It was a little cold due to a return of winter chill, but we were blessed with good weather and the itinerary proceeded smoothly. I believe it turned out to be a highly satisfying 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 | Bus | Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit／JR Bus Chugoku～Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae (Shukkeien-mae)／JR Bus Chugoku | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Jogakuin-mae／Hiroshima Kotsu～Shin-Hakushima Station／Hiroshima Kotsu | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shin-Hakushima～Miyajimaguchi | 330JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Miyajima～Motoyasubashi | 1,200JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Peace Memorial Park／Hiroshima Bus～Hiroshima Station／Hiroshima Bus | 240JPY |
| Total | 2,250JPY | ||
Hello, I’m Dolly. I was born and raised in Hiroshima. I love meeting new people and I am so happy to show you around my hometown.
I have been guiding for 2 years and I also have lots of experience as a tour attendant and assistant. I have also guided many guests as a volunteer guide at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum for 4 years.
I love spending time in nature and enjoy SUP and hiking, and I have experience guiding SUP tours. Besides, I myself love to travel, so I really enjoy visiting temples and shrines all over Japan. I also love music, collecting vinyls, playing music and going to live concerts, so you might be a good match for me if you are a music lover!
Let’s walk around the city together, broaden your horizons, and make good memories in Japan!
May 12, 2025
C
Christa_S
Memorable Day in Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
This is a difficult…
May 12, 2025
C
Christa_S
Memorable Day in Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
This is a difficult place to visit because of its history but Dolly did an amazing job! She customized our tour exactly to want we wanted, fitting everything we wanted to do in, without making us feel rushed. The combination of the beauty of Miyajima island and the horror of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum makes for an emotional day…but a day we will never forget.
Apr 20, 2025
Dorthe1
Miyajima Island
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a very well planned tour…
Apr 20, 2025
Dorthe1
Miyajima Island
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a very well planned tour with great flexibility regarding our interests and needs. We left early for Miyajima Island and thereby avoided the huge crowds forming as we descended the summit. Dolly was a great guide leading us through the Island signifying the cultural importance the Island had and informing us on the historical events leading to its current state. We had a great ascend to the top of the island, where we had a light lunch with a beautiful view.
We returned to Hiroshima from Miyajima Island by boat taking us through the canals of Hiroshima, where it was possible to observe the memorial park, the Hiroshima port and the oyster banks. The boat terminal was located just at the beginning of Memorial park, from where Dolly took us through all the attractions. She had a firm grasp of the historical events concerning the atomic bombing and the impact it had on Japan.
Dolly was generally a mindful, interested and passionate guide discussing everything from WW2 politics to the best okonomiyaki spots in Hiroshima. We had a wonderful day with Dolly and highly recommend anyone wishing to discover Hiroshima to contact Dolly.
Apr 18, 2025
kulungr2021
Incredible Japan
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had the privilege of being guided…
Apr 18, 2025
kulungr2021
Incredible Japan
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had the privilege of being guided by Dolly, who was incredibly patient with us. She was highly knowledgeable and had a deep understanding of both the history and local culture. During our day tour to Hiroshima, we were able to enjoy a traditional Japanese meal at one of the local restaurants. The Torii gate and shrine were absolutely divine. The tour was perfectly planned and tailored to meet our needs. We took many photos, and Dolly kindly took some key pictures for us and shared them afterward. Dolly was also very grateful that we spent extra time at the Hiroshima museum. Though I had read about the Second World War, it wasn’t until we saw the devastation in person and explored the museum that we truly understood the extent of the damage and the suffering people endured. The experience left us all deeply emotional.
Overall, the tour was unforgettable, and we highly recommend Dolly and the company she represents. Thank you, Dolly, for providing us with such a memorable experience. I look forward to visiting Japan again and will certainly request Dolly as our guide, this time perhaps exploring more sights beyond just Hiroshima.
It was our first visit to Japan, and I can’t praise the country enough. The people are exceptionally polite, and I never saw any police patrolling the streets, which reflects how safe the country is. One of the things I usually look for is whether bicycles are locked when parked or if street gambling occurs, and I saw neither of these in Japan. The hospitality of the people was outstanding—always apologetic and eager to help. The food was incredible, and the technology was beyond anything we have in Europe; it felt like Japan is 15-20 years ahead in terms of innovation. I can’t stress enough how friendly and welcoming the people are. The train network is also remarkable—you can reach almost anywhere using public transport. All in all, it was an amazing experience.
Thank you so much Dolly for giving us the opportunity to be guided by you.
Apr 5, 2025
495clintt
Amazing tour with a great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
My partner and…
Apr 5, 2025
495clintt
Amazing tour with a great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
My partner and I booked this tour for our trip to Japan. Our guide Midori (Dolly) was amazing. She was extremely knowledgeable and provided great insight about the events and history of Hiroshima. She also took us to an incredible okonamnyaki place for lunch which was delicious!
The trip to the island was also great, where we were lucky enough to see plenty of cherry blossoms in full bloom, as well as many different temples and other attractions.
Overall I highly recommend! And hopefully you get lucky enough to have Dolly as your guide!