Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden — Guide Mari
November, 2025
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
- 11:00 a.m. Meet at the lobby of Hotel
- 11:15 a.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
- 12:45 p.m. Lunch at Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki restaurant
- 1:45 p.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 3:30 p.m. End of the tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 11:00 at lobby of Hotel and ended at 15:30. The day ran to 4 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki restaurant at 12:45.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shukkeien Garden at 11:15 and Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 13:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: In front of Shukkeien Garden to In front of Atomic Bomb Dome by train (240JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 240JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Hiroshima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Shukkeien Garden and Peace Park
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They were very cheerful and enjoyed conversation, smiling and sharing many stories from the moment we met, making it a very enjoyable tour.
Shukkeien Garden was not crowded, and the guests loved the scenery, saying they could spend the entire day there. However, since they had chosen this season to see the autumn leaves, they seemed a little disappointed that the maple leaves had not yet turned red. One of the guests loved turtles and took many photos. There also happened to be a couple having pre-wedding photos taken, and the guests were delighted to be able to see the wedding kimono.
The bus from Shukkeien Garden to Peace Park was very crowded, so we had to let one bus pass and waited at the bus stop for about 20 minutes. We enjoyed lively conversation during that time, but I felt sorry about the wait.
For lunch, we went to an okonomiyaki restaurant. The guests mentioned they had also eaten okonomiyaki in Tokyo, but when I asked about it, it turned out to be monjayaki. They said Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki was more delicious (perhaps out of kindness) and ate everything up, which made me happy.
Peace Park was as crowded as it could possibly be today, and the museum was so packed that it was hard to move. Even so, the guests listened attentively, heard the songs of children in peace education, and asked many questions about residual radiation, the survivors of the atomic bombing, and peace education.
Also, while I was talking about the atomic-bombed streetcar during the tour, one happened to pass by, and the three of us got very excited together.
Since the guests planned to explore Miyajima on their own the next day, I shared information about the tide levels and restaurants on Miyajima, which they greatly appreciated.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | In front of Shukkeien Garden～In front of Atomic Bomb Dome / JR Bus Chugoku | 240JPY |
| Total | 240JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at lobby of Hotel at 11:00, and the tour finished at of the tour at 15:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 11:00 to 15:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shukkeien Garden and Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 240JPY per person across 1 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!