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.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:20a.m. Meet at the Shinkansen exit of Hiroshima Station
- 10:30a.m. Arrive on Miyajima Island
- 10:45a.m. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- 11:15a.m. Visit Daishoin Temple
- 12:40p.m. Take a dirct ferry to the city center
- 1:40p.m. Lunch at an Okonomiyaki restaurant
- 2:45p.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 4:45 p.m. Take taxi to Hiroshima station
- 5:20p.m. End the tour at Hiroshima station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Shinkansen exit of Hiroshima Station at 09:20, the group explored Hiroshima until the tour ended at 17:20. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at an Okonomiyaki restaurant at 13:40.
The itinerary covered on Miyajima Island at 10:30, Itsukushima Shrine at 10:45, Daishoin Temple at 11:15, Take a dirct ferry to the city center at 12:40, Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 14:45 and Take taxi to Hiroshima station at 16:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi by train (420JPY); Miyajima to Peace Memorial Park (1,200JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 1,620JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Day Trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Body:
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They came on a day trip, traveling from Kyoto by Shinkansen. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides lead private tours like this across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
From the very first contact they were extremely friendly, and we hit it off right away after meeting. They asked many questions about raising children and about Japanese culture, and the conversation was lively. The weather was fine and warm, and at Miyajima they took many photos, saying it was the best weather since they arrived in Japan and that they were very happy about it.
They had gotten up early to leave Kyoto and were a little short on sleep, so some of the guests took a nap during the World Heritage Sea Route cruise. One of the guests showed me many photos and told me about life in North America, how they spend their holidays, and stories from earlier years.
At the Peace Memorial Park, everyone was deeply interested in the history of Hiroshima and listened very earnestly. The museum was relatively uncrowded today, so they were able to take their time viewing it. They had never folded a paper crane before, so we folded one together, which they were delighted to call a wonderful experience, and they took the paper crane home as a memento.
They also greatly enjoyed the okonomiyaki.
Since they had another journey the next day, they wanted to take an earlier return Shinkansen, so I helped them change their reservation at the ticket counter, and the tour concluded. They thanked me politely all the way until they passed through the Shinkansen ticket gate, making it a very 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 | Hiroshima～Miyajimaguchi | 420JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Miyajima～Peace Memorial Park | 1,200JPY |
| Total | 1,620JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Shinkansen exit of Hiroshima Station at 09:20, and the tour finished at tour at Hiroshima station at 17:20.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours in total, from 09:20 to 17:20.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited on Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Take a dirct ferry to the city center, Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum and Take taxi to Hiroshima station.
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.
Sep 26, 2026
F1357GRpaulg
Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Mari was a delightful guide. We…
Sep 26, 2026
F1357GRpaulg
Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
Mari was a delightful guide. We had such a lovely day with her. We would thoroughly recommend a day in Miyajima and Hiroshima with Mari.
Sep 29, 2026
Matthew_T
Do not miss this tour of Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
This was fantastic. Mari…
Sep 29, 2026
Matthew_T
Do not miss this tour of Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
This was fantastic. Mari was a phenomenal guide. She has a personal family connection to the atomic bombing and she’s lived in Hiroshima all her life. She was knowledgable; funny, and respectful of my goals (sites, time spent, photo taking). And lunch was great afterwards!
Sep 28, 2026
Passport734191
As good as it gets in Hiroshima!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Mari was a very…
Sep 28, 2026
Passport734191
As good as it gets in Hiroshima!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Mari was a very good tour guide with a personal family connection to Hiroshima (her grandfather was a survivor of the bombing). She was filled with local and historical knowledge, and was very respectful of the subject matter. She was great in giving me space for my own personal moments as well as flexible with taking photos. She’s got a great sense of humor and we had a wonderful few h
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!