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
- 9:40 a.m. Meet at the Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station
- 9:50 a.m. Visit Shukkeien Garden
- 10:40 a.m. Visit Hiroshima Castle
- 11:15 a.m. Visit Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum
- 1:00 p.m. Lunch at an Okonomiyaki restaurant
- 2:10 p.m. End of the tour at Hiroshima Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:40 at Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station and ended at 14:10. The day ran to 4 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at an Okonomiyaki restaurant at 13:00.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shukkeien Garden at 09:50, Hiroshima Castle at 10:40 and Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum at 11:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hondori by bus (240JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 240JPY per person.
What's a Private Walking Tour of Hiroshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest was one visitor from Oceania. From the very beginning, the conversation flowed easily, and since this was a solo trip, we talked about many things throughout the tour, sharing stories about family, life in their home region, and friends. Since sightseeing around the city on foot involves some distance, we reconfirmed the transportation plan at the start, but the guest said they had become good at walking since coming to Japan, so we decided to explore mostly on foot.
At Shukkeien Garden, the weather was fine, and the guest was very moved by the scenery and took many photos. When I offered to take photos, they were very pleased, so I made a point of taking pictures at the most scenic spots.
At Hiroshima Castle, the guest was delighted by how beautiful the castle itself was, and also showed great interest in the A-bombed trees. When I guided them to the A-bombed eucalyptus tree, they took many photos.
At the Peace Park, there were many students on peace-study and school excursions, and it was crowded, but seeing this, the guest said it was truly wonderful that children come here to learn about their own country's history. They shared that although they had watched documentaries and read books about Hiroshima before, actually coming and seeing and learning here in person had a far greater impact than they had imagined.
Finally, they also enjoyed the okonomiyaki we had for lunch, and since they love cooking, they said they might try making it at home. They told me that today had been a truly special and wonderful day, which made me very happy.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Hondori / Hiroshima Electric Railway Bus～Hiroshima Station / Hiroshima Electric Railway Bus | 240JPY |
| Total | 240JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Shinkansen gate, Hiroshima Station at 09:40, and the tour finished at of the tour at Hiroshima Station at 14:10.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 09:40 to 14:10.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle 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.
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!