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
- 8:00 a.m. Meet in the lobby of Hotel Hiroshima
- 8:20 a.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 10:40 a.m. Take trains to Miyajima-guchi Station
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch at a local okonomiyaki restaurant
- 12:15 p.m. Take the ferry to Miyajima
- 12:30 p.m. Arrive in Miyajima
- 12:45 p.m. Visit the Great Torii and Itsukushima Shrine
- 1:30 p.m. Visit Daisho-in Temple
- 2:30 p.m. Explore the shopping street
- 3:15 p.m. Take the ferry and JR train back to City Center
- 4:20 p.m. Visit Hiroshima Castle
- 5:00 p.m. End of the tour at Hotel Hiroshima
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Hiroshima began at 08:00, when the guide met the guests at lobby of Hotel Hiroshima, and finished at 17:00. The day ran to 9 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at a local okonomiyaki restaurant at 11:30.
From there the group visited Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 08:20, Take trains to Miyajima-guchi Station at 10:40, Take the ferry to Miyajima at 12:15, Miyajima at 12:30, Great Torii and Itsukushima Shrine at 12:45, Daisho-in Temple at 13:30, shopping street at 14:30, Take the ferry and JR train back to City Center at 15:15 and Hiroshima Castle at 16:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kanayamacho to Genbaku Dome-mae by train (240JPY); Hondori to Shin-Hakushima by train (220JPY); Shin-Hakushima to Miyajimaguchi by train (330JPY); Miyajimaguchi to Shin-Hakushima by train (330JPY); Shin-Hakushima to Kenchomae (Hiroshima Prefecture) by train (220JPY); Kamiyacho-higashi to Kanayamacho by train (240JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,580JPY per person.
Tour title: What's a Private Day Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest was one person visiting from North America. They had traveled to Tokyo with friends, and while the friends wished to visit an amusement park, the guest very much wanted to see Hiroshima and came all the way alone. After visiting Hiroshima, they planned to return to Tokyo to rejoin their friends. The day before, they had walked from Hiroshima Station to their accommodation carrying luggage, and continued exploring on foot afterward, which left them with a slightly sore knee. Keeping an eye on their condition, we used public transportation as much as possible.
The guest had also visited the Peace Memorial Museum the previous day, but it had been crowded and they could not view it slowly, so we visited together first thing in the morning. Since we entered around 8:30, it was not yet very crowded and they were able to take their time. Wanting to remember everything clearly, they took many photos. Although this was their second visit and they had researched a great deal before coming to Japan and were already very knowledgeable, they listened especially earnestly to the testimonies of the atomic bomb survivors, deeply moved.
Before visiting Miyajima, we had okonomiyaki for lunch, which they loved, saying many times that it was wonderful.
At Miyajima they took many photos. This day too it was very crowded with tourists and school excursion students, but fortunately the timing was good and we were able to enter Itsukushima Shrine and go around slowly. As I was concerned about their foot, I asked how they wished to handle Daisho-in Temple, but they wanted to go, so we visited while being careful with the pace. They were delighted by unique experiences such as walking the corridors and the Henjokutsu cave. In addition, a ceremonial burning of paper cranes happened to be taking place, and the guest was able to take part, and was moved that they had such a special experience.
On the way back from Miyajima, they expressed a wish to also stop by Hiroshima Castle if possible, and agreed to walk a bit more, so we visited Hiroshima Castle and they took many photos before returning to the accommodation, ending the tour.
They told me it had been a wonderful tour and perfect, which made me very happy, and I ended the tour with renewed gratitude that they had come all the way to Hiroshima.
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 | Kanayamacho～Genbaku Dome-mae | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Hondori～Shin-Hakushima | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shin-Hakushima～Miyajimaguchi | 330JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Shin-Hakushima | 330JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Shin-Hakushima～Kenchomae (Hiroshima Prefecture) | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Kamiyacho-higashi～Kanayamacho | 240JPY |
| Total | 1,580JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at lobby of Hotel Hiroshima at 08:00, and the tour finished at of the tour at Hotel Hiroshima at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 9 hours in total, from 08:00 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum, Take trains to Miyajima-guchi Station, Take the ferry to Miyajima, Miyajima, Great Torii and Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in Temple, shopping street, Take the ferry and JR train back to City Center and Hiroshima Castle.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,580JPY per person across 6 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!