Hiroshima in Half a Day: Take the ferry to Miyajima — Guide Mari
September, 2025
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
- 9:45 AM – Meet at the cruise dock
- → Take a shuttle bus to Hiroshima port
- 10:25 AM – Take the ferry to Miyajima
- 10:57 AM – Arrive at Miyajima Island
- 11:15 AM – Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- 11:50 AM – Visit Daishoin Temple
- 12:30 PM – Explore the shopping street
- 1:55 PM – Take the ferry back to Ujina Port
- → Take a shuttle bus back to the cruise terminal
- 2:30 PM – Arrive back at the ship / End of tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at – Meet at the cruise dock at 09:45, the group explored Hiroshima until the tour ended at 14:30. The day ran to 4 hours and 45 minutes from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Take the ferry to Miyajima at 10:25, Miyajima Island at 10:57, Itsukushima Shrine at 11:15, Daishoin Temple at 11:50, Explore the shopping street at 12:30 and Take the ferry back to Ujina Port at 13:55.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Hiroshima Port・Ujina to Miyajima Port (1,150JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 1,150JPY per person.
What Is a Private Miyajima Walking Tour Like from a Cruise Ship? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were friends visiting from North America. We had planned to meet at the Miyajima ferry pier, but since I heard they were arriving by cruise ship, I went to meet them at the port, and they told me it was very helpful because they were not sure how to get to Miyajima.
Although it was a very hot day, the guests were deeply impressed by the scenery of Miyajima and the deer, and they enjoyed taking many photos.
Since Daishoin Temple involves an uphill path, I first guided them to the 500 Rakan statues near the entrance and then asked about their preferences. One of the guests preferred not to climb and wanted to relax, so I showed them to a cafe, while the other wished to go all the way up, so I accompanied that person to the Henjokutsu Cave at the top.
The guests mentioned they love souvenir shops, and since they planned to have lunch later on the ship, they wanted to spend more time exploring the shopping street. After they enjoyed a leisurely time shopping, we returned to Ujina by high-speed ferry, and I saw them off at the cruise ship, ending the tour.
Click here for more details: Miyajima Half-Day Customized Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Hiroshima Port・Ujina～Miyajima Port | 1,150JPY |
| Total | 1,150JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hiroshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at – Meet at the cruise dock at 09:45, and the tour finished at – Arrive back at the ship / End of tour at 14:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 45 minutes in total, from 09:45 to 14:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Take the ferry to Miyajima, Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Daishoin Temple, Explore the shopping street and Take the ferry back to Ujina Port.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,150JPY 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!