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
- Since you wanted to visit Miyajima after the tour on a day trip, I changed the meeting time.
- 9:10 Meet at the Shinkansen exit of Hiroshima Station
- 9:30 Shukkeien Garden
- 10:30 Hiroshima Castle
- 11:00 Peace Memorial Park
- 11:45 Lunch (Okonomiyaki)
- 12:45 Peace Memorial Museum
- 13:30 Tour ends at the Peace Park ferry terminal (bound for Miyajima)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:10 at Shinkansen exit of Hiroshima Station and ended at 13:30. The day ran to 4 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch (Okonomiyaki) at 11:45.
Over the course of the day the route took in Shukkeien Garden at 9:30, Hiroshima Castle at 10:30, Peace Memorial Park at 11:00 and Peace Memorial Museum at 12:45.
What Is a Private One-Day Tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group of three visiting from North America. They had come to Hiroshima after visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and they were very pleased to find that Hiroshima was relatively less crowded, as the previous destinations had been very busy with tourists.
At Shukkeien Garden, there were few tourists, and the guests were able to relax and enjoy the quiet, calm atmosphere while taking many photos. They were also surprised when the carp gathered in large numbers to be fed and opened their mouths wide.
At Hiroshima Castle, the group also visited Gokoku Shrine, and after paying their respects, they had a lively time drawing omikuji fortune slips.
At the Peace Memorial Park, we folded paper cranes together and offered them at the Children's Peace Monument.
The museum was becoming busier with school trip students, but fortunately there was no major congestion when we visited today, so we had plenty of time to catch the ferry.
For lunch, I had reserved a private room at an okonomiyaki restaurant, which the guests very much enjoyed.
When I helped arrange an advance ferry reservation to Miyajima, the guests were very grateful, and they told me that they had been able to relax and enjoy Hiroshima without the stress of crowds or long lines.
Click here for more details: Hiroshima Peace Park Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
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!