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 Waiting at Miyajimaguchi Terminal, but according to an email and a phone call from the local agent, the guests had already crossed over to Miyajima and were waiting at Miyajima Terminal
- Upon checking, it was confirmed that the meeting point was indeed Miyajima Terminal, not Miyajimaguchi Terminal.
- 11:20 While having the local agent make contact, met at Miyajima Terminal 20 minutes late
- 11:40 Entered Itsukushima Shrine
- 12:20 Entered Daishoin Temple
- 13:00 Guided them to the restaurant Mizuha. The wife is on a gluten-free diet, but since they wanted a restaurant that the children would want to eat at, I chose a place with
- a variety on the menu. Since they said they could order by themselves, I left the restaurant for a while
- 13:40 Departed for Senjokaku
- 14:00 Entered Senjokaku
- 14:20 Strolled along Omotesando
- 15:00 Tour ended at Miyajimaguchi Terminal
What's a Private Miyajima Family Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a family visiting from North America. Even though the start of the tour was delayed, they welcomed me with smiles. They were a very active and cheerful group. In particular, one of the guests asked many questions on a wide range of topics. The weather was hot and humid with rain threatening to fall, and since some of the guests began to look a little tired, I slowed down the pace and guided them through Daishoin Temple. The guests were delighted with the restaurant I recommended. After the meal, they seemed to enjoy strolling through Senjokaku Hall and the main approach, and on the ferry ride back, one of the guests told me it had been a wonderful tour.
Click here for more details: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Hi, I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. My name is Shinya Tanaka, but you can call me Woody because I run my own company which makes products made of wood. So, I can introduce Japan’s various wooden culture from toys to castles.
I like beer, watching sports, jogging and cooking.
I was born and raised in Hiroshima City. Hiroshima has 2 major tourists’ destinations, Itsukushima shrine and the Atomic Bomb Dome. Even so, there are many other wonderful spots here in Hiroshima.
As a tour guide and a Hiroshima citizen, I will be able to share a great time with you here.
I am looking forward to meeting you all someday. See you.
Self-introduction YouTube: https://youtu.be/2nJMzPT-Mc4
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shinya.tanaka.9889
Jun 19, 2026
P5566OYcolleens
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Highly recommend
Fantastic tour and guide. Woody was enthusiastic about his…
Jun 19, 2026
P5566OYcolleens
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Highly recommend
Fantastic tour and guide. Woody was enthusiastic about his culture and the tour. The island
was super amazing, kids loved the deer, and the shrines were some of the most beautiful
we’ve seen in Japan.
Apr 26, 2025
Holly_B
Unforgettable Day at Miyajima and Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had such…
Apr 26, 2025
Holly_B
Unforgettable Day at Miyajima and Hiroshima
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had such a wonderful full day of touring Miyajima and Hiroshima. Our guide, Shinya Tanaka (Woody) communicated with us before the tour and had a wonderful thorough laid out plan including Okonomiyaki for lunch. Woody was friendly, knowledgeable and organized. We could tell he loved being a tour guide and he was passionate about his hometown telling us about the impact the bombing had on his life. Woody also made origami cranes with our 3 kids ages 16, 14, 10 to dedicate to the children’s monument. It was such a special day that we will never forget.
Jan 13, 2025
davidmP2030SZ
Great day in Miyajima
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Woody was very knowledgeable and friendly. Tailored…
Jan 13, 2025
davidmP2030SZ
Great day in Miyajima
Tripadvisor review: Miyajima Half-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Woody was very knowledgeable and friendly. Tailored our tour to our requests and went
out of his way to make sure our tour was an enjoyable one.