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
- 7:30 Meet at Sheraton Hiroshima
- 8:00 Peace Memorial Park
- 9:00 Peace Memorial Museum
- 10:40 World Heritage Route
- 12:00 Itsukushima Shrine
- 12:45 Omote-sando street
- 14:35 End the tour at Hiroshima station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 7:30 at Sheraton Hiroshima and ended at 14:35. The day ran to 7 hours and 5 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Peace Memorial Park at 8:00, Peace Memorial Museum at 9:00, World Heritage Route at 10:40, Itsukushima Shrine at 12:00 and Omote-sando street at 12:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima Station to Hondori by bus (220JPY); Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima Port (1,100JPY); Miyajimaguchi to Hiroshima by train (420JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 1,740JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour Like Before Heading to Osaka? A Licensed Guide's Report
After the tour began, we returned to the Hotel once for a forgotten item. Considering the crowds during the Obon period, I had planned to visit the museum first, but tickets were already sold out even before the usual opening time. Because of this, we started from Peace Memorial Park. On the way by bus, I also added explanations about the atomic-bombed remains. Since the tour started early in the morning, we were able to hear the music of the Peace Clock Tower at just the right time. When we arrived at the museum there was no line to enter, but by the time we left, entry itself had been stopped. We also used the World Heritage Sea Route, but it was very crowded, and we managed to board at the last moment, so I ended up sitting in the crew seat. While some of the guests went near the torii gate, I paid the admission fee in the meantime. The main approach was also very crowded, so I gave explanations and allowed some free time. The guests seemed to enjoy oysters, momiji manju, ice cream, and other treats each in their own way. Since there was about an hour and a half before the Shinkansen, I recommended okonomiyaki. After the tour, the guests were moving on to Osaka, so I paid particular attention to the timing.
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～Hondori | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Peace Memorial Park～Miyajima Port | 1,100JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Miyajimaguchi～Hiroshima | 420JPY |
| Total | 1,740JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Sheraton Hiroshima at 7:30, and the tour finished at tour at Hiroshima station at 14:35.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 5 minutes in total, from 7:30 to 14:35.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Museum, World Heritage Route, Itsukushima Shrine and Omote-sando street.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,740JPY per person across 3 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?
Michi 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.
Hi. I’m Michi. I’m a national licensed tour guide in English.
I want to introduce many faces and charms of Japan and make your stay in Japan more fascinating and satisfying.
I was born and raised in Hiroshima. My first tour in English was as a volunteer guide for the visitors to my school when I was a junior high school student. It gave me a great opportunity to study about the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
I spent my life in Hiroshima except for 6 years; 1 year in the UK as a student and 5 years working in Singapore and Malaysia. During this period I enjoyed meeting and talking with people from different cultural backgrounds.
These experiences encouraged me to be a licensed tour guide.
In Hiroshima, there are two famous World Heritage Sites, the Atomic Bomb Dome in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial & Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima.
I have experienced many tours of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum & Park since I was a junior high school student. I would like to introduce you to the a-bomb legacies that are still existing in the city and the stories under the mushroom cloud.
I also would like to share time with you on a historic island, Miyajima. There is one of the most famous Shinto shrines, the Itsukushima Shrine. We can share an enjoyable time by exploring a sacred atmosphere, tradition, nature, food, etc.
I am also an official ‘A-bomb legacy successor’ designated by the City of Hiroshima. An A-bomb Legacy Successor is a memory keeper of the A-bomb survivors. To ensure that the A-bomb survivors’ experiences and desires for peace are faithfully inherited and shared with as many people as possible, the City has started a three-year training program for official ‘A-bomb Legacy Successors. ‘
Let me support your stay in Japan and I look forward to showing you the best of Japan!
Hope to see you soon!
Jan 2, 2025
georgeweller
Excellent tour by a very knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Michi-San was an…
Jan 2, 2025
georgeweller
Excellent tour by a very knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima City 4hr Private Walking Tour with Licensed Guide
Michi-San was an excellent tour guide. She took us to Shukkei-en which is a beautiful shrine with gardens, water, turtles, koi, and much more. You will get some of the best photographs in Hiroshima. Michi-San provided a wealth of information about the shrine, tea houses, koi, and turtles. We loved it.
Next we went to Hiroshima Castle and Michu-San spent a lot of time going over the history of Japan and the castle. It was extremely informative.
Last we finished up with the Atomic Bomb memorial and museum. Michi-san’s information again was very thorough and informative. All in all we had a great time and would use Michi-San as a tour guide again.
Nov 8, 2024
Andrew M
Awesome experience! Michi was the best guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Awesome…
Nov 8, 2024
Andrew M
Awesome experience! Michi was the best guide!
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Awesome experience! Michi was an amazing guide and we had a great day! Thank you so
much and I definitely recommend this when visiting Hiroshima!
Nov 8, 2024
Andrew_M
Awesome day! Michi was an amazing guide!
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Awesome day!…
Nov 8, 2024
Andrew_M
Awesome day! Michi was an amazing guide!
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Awesome day! Michi our guide was excellent and fully enjoyed our experience in Hiroshima.
I definitely recommend this experience!! Very efficient with time and get to see a lot in one
day!
Sep 16, 2024
alexandermM7944BB
Day tour with Michi
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Michi, our guide, was amazing!…
Sep 16, 2024
alexandermM7944BB
Day tour with Michi
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Michi, our guide, was amazing! Very knowledgeable of both local and Japanese history. We took many pictures of the beautiful scenery along the way, and Michi shared her insider knowlege on the best photo and lunch spots. Thank you Michi for an excellent day and educational tour experience.