Miyagi in Half a Day: @ Oshima Island — Guide Riko
October, 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
- Meet at 13:00 @ JR Matsushimakaigan Station
- 13:10~14:00 @ Oshima Island
- 14:10~14:40 @ Godaido
- 15:00~15:50 @ Matsushima Sightseeing Boat
- 16:00~16:50 @ Fukuura Bridge & Fukuura Island
- 17:05 Walk through the Zuiganji Temple approach and disband in front of the entrance
Title: What Is a Private Half-Day Matsushima Tour from Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a close-knit group visiting Japan for the second time. One of them had studied Buddhism at university. The forecast had called for steady rain for several days beforehand, so I had prepared alternative plans in case of bad weather, and one of the guests, also concerned, exchanged emails with me frequently. Also, within the limited time of four hours, since the travel time from Sendai would count as part of the guiding time, they told me they would spend time in Matsushima after the tour and asked to part ways in Matsushima. When I asked whether they would like to meet at Matsushimakaigan as well, they thanked me for the flexible arrangement. They seemed to enjoy Matsushima to the fullest.
When the group arrived at the meeting point, everyone was fully prepared, wearing waterproof shoes and ponchos, so we decided to walk around Oshima as originally planned. We avoided the areas with poor footing as much as possible and visited all the points where Matsushima Bay could be viewed. Since the rain did not let up, the sightseeing boat seemed to offer a welcome break. On the route leading to Fukuurajima, there were signs marking tsunami damage in various places, so when I spoke about the state of the damage at the time of the earthquake disaster, they listened with great interest. We reached Fukuura Bridge after four o'clock, and although it was getting dark underfoot, I chose a safe route and guided them to the highlights. On the way back, since I had introduced the illuminations at Entsuin or Zuiganji, we walked through the illuminated cave-lined approach decorated for the event and parted ways in front of Zuiganji. They seemed to listen with interest to the bell rung by the Zuiganji monks at five in the evening and the sound of the evening sutra chanting. On the way back, I handed them a copy of the Senseki Line timetable for the train to Sendai, and since they said they would be exploring Sendai the next day, I also gave them an English map of Sendai.
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide
Hello! I’m Riko, your local guide. During the week, I work at a local university, but on weekends, I love to guide visitors like you. This year(2024) marks my 6th year as a guide, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing the beauty of Japan with you.
I’m a certified Sake Navigator, so I have a wealth of knowledge about Japanese sake. Additionally, I’m well-versed in the gourmet scene of Sendai, Shiogama, and Matsushima, allowing me to tailor your tour to your culinary preferences!
I look forward to creating a memorable tour experience for you, full of fun and lasting memories of Japan. Thanks for choosing me as your guide!
May 10, 2026
Nate_K
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun Day in the bay!
Be ready to walk briskly…
May 10, 2026
Nate_K
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun Day in the bay!
Be ready to walk briskly to make the ferry boat! Our guide Riko-san was wonderful and her
local knowledge was very informative.
Apr 30, 2026
Tanakainmaui
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko-san is the best guide!
I originally booked with TripAdvisor,…
Apr 30, 2026
Tanakainmaui
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko-san is the best guide!
I originally booked with TripAdvisor, but cancelled it in order to get a longer tour–8 hours instead of 6. Riko-san was our guide, and she was very knowledgeable about the Sendai/Matsushima area and the attractions we visited. She was also flexible with times and at the end of a long day she even shared the location of her favorite sushi restaurant! Riko-san also helped us locate a guide for our izakaya tour. She went above and beyond the definition of service. We’d love to book with her and her izakaya friend, Mai, again!
Mar 31, 2026
NHDBuilder
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
This is our…
Mar 31, 2026
NHDBuilder
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
GO WITH “RIKO” FROM JAPAN GUIDE AGENCY
This is our first time to Japan, and it can be very confusing but we went with Riko from Japan Guide Agency, and this made this the easiest day possible. We came from North Carolina to Tokyo and now our adventure starts in Sendai after our visit in Tokyo. We wanted a guide to help us navigate this area and we were lucky enough to be assigned “Riko” for the half day. The moment we met her my wife and I were thrilled to be spending a day with her. She speaks wonderful English and with my horrible hearing, I could hear her clearly which makes it so enjoyable. I normally cannot hear soft Japanese voices but she made it so easy for us to hear and understand. We spent the day with her and yes we were tired at the end but it was so worth it to stick it out all day. One of the best things about Riko is; she meets you at your hotel and returns you to your hotel when you are so tired you cannot possibly take another step. Another amazing thing about Riko is she knows the trains and knows how to get the client moved around quickly and efficiently. We had no idea where to go to get the right trains but Riko make it smooth as possible. It was raining all day but we pushed through and that caused all the tourists to not be at the stops we were going to. It was like the shut down the area for us. Since it was raining, Riko would call taxi’s for us and they came almost immediately. Riko is a wealth of information and we even met some of her friends along the way. If you are going to book a tour with this firm, ASK FOR RIKO, I know you will have a great day.
Oct 3, 2025
P
Peggy_M
This was a great tour with Riko
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko was…
Oct 3, 2025
P
Peggy_M
This was a great tour with Riko
Viator review: Sendai / Matsushima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Riko was our guide for the full-day tour. After we selected the sites we wanted to visit, Riko provided us with a detailed itinerary. Her communication throughout the planning process was clear and thorough, including explanations of the expected admission fees and transportation costs for the day. Our itinerary included visits to Entsu-in Temple, a scenic cruise on Matsushima Bay, and a tour of Zuigan-ji Temple. Riko accompanied us on both the train and ferry, which made it easy for us to relax and fully enjoy each sight without worrying about logistics or directions. In addition to guiding us through the main attractions, Riko went above and beyond by arranging for us to have lunch at a vegan restaurant in Sendai. This thoughtful addition was not part of the original tour, yet it greatly enhanced our overall experience.