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
- 9:00 a.m. Meet at Ujina Cruise Port
- 9:20 a.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 11:20 a.m. Visit the art supply shop "Black Gazai"
- 12:00 p.m. Take a taxi to Hiroshima Station
- 12:30 p.m. Take the JR train to Miyajima guchi station
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch at an okonomiyaki restaurant
- 2:10 p.m. Take a ferry to Miyajima Island
- 2:20 p.m. Arrive on Miyajima Island
- 2:40 p.m. Cafe time
- 3:10 p.m. Visit the Grand Torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine
- 4:00 p.m. Take the ferry back toward Ujina Port
- 4:25 p.m. Arrive at Ujina Port
- 4:45 p.m. End of the tour at Ujina Cruise Port
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Hiroshima began at 09:00, when the guide met the guests at Ujina Cruise Port, and finished at 16:45. The day ran to 7 hours and 45 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at an okonomiyaki restaurant at 13:15.
From there the group visited Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 09:20, the art supply shop "Black Gazai" at 11:20, Take a taxi to Hiroshima Station at 12:00, Take the JR train to Miyajima guchi station at 12:30, Take a ferry to Miyajima Island at 14:10, on Miyajima Island at 14:20, Cafe time at 14:40, the Grand Torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine at 15:10, Take the ferry back toward Ujina Port at 16:00 and Ujina Port at 16:25.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi by train (420JPY); Miyajima to Ujina (1,150JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 1,570JPY per person.
What Is a Private Cruise Day Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan from North America while traveling by cruise. Two days before the tour, I received a request to stop by an art supply store, as one of the guests enjoyed painting, so this was incorporated into the itinerary. Since one of the guests used a cane, we traveled by taxi as much as possible in accordance with their wishes.
In the taxi from the port, I shared some of the history of Hiroshima, and the guests also shared their own experiences related to 9/11.
At the Peace Memorial Park, the guests took great interest in the individual stories of the atomic bomb survivors. They asked about my own family's experience of the bombing, and listened very earnestly to the story of my grandfather, who was a survivor. They also asked many questions about history education and peace education in Hiroshima regarding the war. At the Peace Memorial Museum, they viewed the exhibits with great interest, and one of the guests, being an architect, was also interested in the building itself, designed by Kenzo Tange. They shared that, amid an unstable global situation, coming to this place to learn was deeply meaningful, and that they had truly wanted to visit Hiroshima.
After the Peace Memorial Park, the art supply store we visited at the guests' request was very well received, and they purchased various types of Japanese paintbrushes, saying they had long wanted to buy them. As they planned to visit Kyoto from the port of Kobe the following day and wanted to confirm their Shinkansen tickets, we stopped by Hiroshima Station to check, and they were reassured once everything was confirmed.
For lunch, the guests wanted to try okonomiyaki, so we went to an okonomiyaki restaurant near Miyajimaguchi, which they loved, and they even purchased some sauce at the restaurant. They were looking for a Japanese professional baseball T-shirt, so I guided them to a Carp T-shirt shop, which they were also delighted with.
At Miyajima, the guests were very delighted by the deer and took many photos. As the rain grew heavier, I asked about their preferences and we waited at a cafe for the rain to ease. The conversation was lively at the cafe, and although the schedule became a little tight, we managed to make the return ferry in time and returned to the cruise ship with plenty of time to spare.
At the end, both guests gave me a hug and said they were truly glad to have met me and that it had been the best day. It made me feel very warm inside, and I too was filled with gratitude for having been able to meet them.
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～Ujina | 1,150JPY |
| Total | 1,570JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Ujina Cruise Port at 09:00, and the tour finished at of the tour at Ujina Cruise Port at 16:45.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 45 minutes in total, from 09:00 to 16:45.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum, the art supply shop "Black Gazai", Take a taxi to Hiroshima Station, Take the JR train to Miyajima guchi station, Take a ferry to Miyajima Island, on Miyajima Island, Cafe time, the Grand Torii Gate and Itsukushima Shrine, Take the ferry back toward Ujina Port and Ujina Port.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,570JPY 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!