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 in the lobby of the Hotel
- 12:15 p.m. Arrive on Miyajima Island
- 12:30 p.m. Explore Shopping Street
- 1:15 p.m. Rickshaw Tour
- 1:45 p.m. Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- 2:30 p.m. Lunch
- 3:30 p.m. Explore Shopping Street
- 4:45 p.m. Take a short ferry to Miyajimaguchi Station
- 5:00 p.m. Tour ends at Miyajimaguchi Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 11:00 at lobby of the Hotel and ended at 17:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at 14:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in on Miyajima Island at 12:15, Explore Shopping Street at 12:30, Rickshaw Tour at 13:15, Itsukushima Shrine at 13:45, Explore Shopping Street at 15:30 and Take a short ferry to Miyajimaguchi Station at 16:45.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi by train (420JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 420JPY per person.
What Is a Private Miyajima Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group of three visiting from North America. One of the guests had lived in Japan for six years and spoke Japanese well. Since one of the guests could not walk quickly, we moved at a slow, relaxed pace. As soon as we arrived at Miyajima, the guests wanted to try a rickshaw, so I contacted the rickshaw company and waited for the vehicle while the guests looked around the shopping street. I told them I would follow behind, but they kindly said there was an open seat and invited me to ride along, so I got to experience a rickshaw for the very first time in my life. The rickshaw driver was very entertaining and guided in English, and I interpreted for the historical parts when cued. The guests loved photography, and they were delighted to be able to take photos on the rickshaw and to not have to walk. The weather was fine, and they enjoyed the view of Itsukushima Shrine. When I guided them to a less crowded spot, they were pleased and took many photos. They wanted to try various Japanese dishes, so I guided them to a restaurant offering Miyajima specialties and a variety of set meals, which they enjoyed. Since walking to Daishoin was difficult, they decided to skip it this time and instead explore the shopping street, and they seemed to have a wonderful time shopping. In the evening they had a dinner cruise booked from Onoura, so we waited for the train together at Miyajimaguchi and ended the tour. Everyone was very close, and they welcomed me into their circle, making it a day I thoroughly enjoyed together with them.
Click here for more details: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Hiroshima～Miyajimaguchi | 420JPY |
| Total | 420JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at lobby of the Hotel at 11:00, and the tour finished at Tour ends at Miyajimaguchi Station at 17:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 11:00 to 17:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited on Miyajima Island, Explore Shopping Street, Rickshaw Tour, Itsukushima Shrine, Explore Shopping Street and Take a short ferry to Miyajimaguchi Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 420JPY 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!