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
- 09:00. Hotel Meet
- 10:00 Itsukushima Shrine
- 11:30 Daishoin Temple
- 13:00 Miyajima Dismissal
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Itsukushima Shrine at 10:00, Daishoin Temple at 11:30 and Miyajima Dismissal at 13:00.
What Is a Private Miyajima and Daisho-in Temple Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. It was unfortunately rainy, with the temperature around 25 degrees and quite humid. The guests had arrived two weeks earlier and had traveled to various places, including Nagano. When I asked if they had visited a Buddhist temple there, they said they had done the kaidan-meguri (pilgrimage through a dark underground passage). Compared with Zenkoji Temple, the stairway pilgrimage at Daisho-in Temple on Miyajima is smaller in scale, so I passed through the dark staircase chanting the Heart Sutra with an even deeper, more resonant voice than usual. The guests said it felt like a haunted house, but it seemed they enjoyed it.
Click here for more details: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Originally, I’m a cycling guide doing cycling tours all over Japan.
But, already done Hiroshima & Miyajima tour more than 400 times.
I traveled many countries in my younger days. I traveled Europe, US, China, India, US, Mexico, Peru Australia, NZ, and so on.
I decided to use this experience to become a guide.
I’m afraid but no tipping required, because cycling guides are not allowed to have tipping in my association. And you do not need to pay for my lunch, because my lunch is prepared by our group.
Please do not hesitate to ask me anything, I’ll change the plan according to your requests.
Thank you for your understanding and please stay connected.
Jun 1, 2026
John_W
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
A top day with a top guide
My wife…
Jun 1, 2026
John_W
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
A top day with a top guide
My wife & I spent a fabulous day with Yuji visiting Miyajima & Hiroshima.. From his greeting to us on our arrival at Hiroshima station to saying good-bye at the same location 8 hours later, he gave us wonderful perspectives of both locations as well as sharing his knowledge of the sights we saw.
May 27, 2026
Annabelle_C
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Hiroshima in a day
Yuji was a great communicator…
May 27, 2026
Annabelle_C
Viator review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Hiroshima in a day
Yuji was a great communicator from the beginning so we knew he was going to be a great
guide. His insight and experience were second to none. This was a great day of enjoying the
sites while gaining a deeper understanding of Hiroshima.
May 12, 2026
satishp656
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble…
May 12, 2026
satishp656
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
HIROSHIMA HALF DAY TOUR
Yuji is a warm, knowledgeble and caring guide who took great pains to conduct the tour in
a very professional manner. He has a sense of humour and plays the flute well.
May 10, 2026
StephanieB6076
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Incredible Experience
We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima…
May 10, 2026
StephanieB6076
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima / Miyajima Full-day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Incredible Experience
We had an incredible experience visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima for the first time. Our tour guide, Yuji, made the experience one we will never forget. From start to finish the trip was thoroughly enjoyable. He was very knowledgeable explaining meaning, symbolism, answering questions and went above and beyond to give us the best experience. Yuji really tailored the tour to things we found interesting and made transport with trains and the ferry very easy to navigate- as we did a day trip from Osaka. My husband and I were very fortunate to have Yuji as our guide. Highly recommend this private tour if you are considering Hiroshima and Miyajima!