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
- 09:45 Meet @ Hotel
- 10:00-11:15 Loople Sendai Bus, Sendai Station → Zuihoden-mae, visit Zuihoden
- 11:33-11:50 Loople Sendai Bus, Zuihoden-mae → Sendai Castle Ruins
- 12:00-13:00 Lunch at Aoba Castle Kaikan Food Court & visit Sendai Castle Ruins
- Take taxi → Aoba-dori Station
- 13:48 -14:29 JR Senseki Line, Aoba-dori → Matsushima-Kaigan
- 14:40-16:15 Head to the sightseeing boat dock passing by the caves
- Sightseeing boat, Godaido
- 16:44- JR Senseki Line, Matsushima-Kaigan → Sendai
What Is a Private Guided Tour of Sendai and Matsushima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The weather was fine, with temperatures rising a little above 20 degrees.
The guests were visiting from Oceania. They had disembarked from a cruise ship in Nagasaki and traveled through Kyushu, Sapporo and Hakodate, and various parts of the Tohoku region, and were planning to fly home from Tokyo. They showed me many photos taken in each place. Their wish to share the excitement of their journey came through clearly, and I truly enjoyed looking at the pictures.
I had been a little worried about the Sendai Castle ruins, since there is no castle building remaining, but the guests took great interest in the story of the castle being demolished under the castle abolition order, as well as in the stone walls. At the same time, I regret that I was not able to guide as smoothly as I would have liked. I want to prepare materials and organize my thoughts so that I am ready for the explanation next time.
To save time, we took a taxi from Sendai Castle to the station, and the guests kindly paid for it.
Looking at the unusual scenery of Matsushima, the clusters of caves and the scattered islands, they said they had never seen a view like this before. May is the season when the zelkova trees of Sendai are at their most beautiful green, and I was happy to welcome the guests during this time of year. At the end of the tour, I was grateful that the guests said "What a big day" many times.
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Sendai Station～Zuihoden-mae | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Zuihoden-mae～Sendai Castle Ruins | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Aoba-dori～Matsushima-Kaigan | 420JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Matsushima-Kaigan～Sendai Station | 420JPY |
| Total | 1,360JPY | ||
Hello. I’m Mikiko Shiga, a licensed guide interpreter.
I live in Iwaki, Fukushima, about 200km northeast from Tokyo.
I was born in Sendai, the capital of Tohoku or the North East area of Japan.
I ‘ve belonged to a volunteer guide group, I experienced walking tours in Asakusa, and other places in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the area I was born and live in is relatively uncrowded.
Tohoku is blessed with beautiful nature, delicious food and fresh air.
It is recommendable for tourists who want to avoid busy places.
It would be wonderful if I could share the attractions in Tohoku or Ibaraki areas with my guests.
Jul 10, 2026
Jenny_A
Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car with Licensed Guide
Interesting tour to see…
Interesting tour to see…
Jul 10, 2026
Jenny_A
Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour in 1 Day by Car with Licensed Guide
Interesting tour to see…
Interesting tour to see surroundings affected by the tsunami in 2011. Our guide Miki told us about it and showed private photos as she comes from a region also reached by the tsunami. Saw a school close to the water and the Decommissioning Center and was told about the nuclear plant and the work to close it down.
Jun 14, 2026
Michael_B
Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
Fukushima & Iwaki – Excellent Tour With Local Guides…
Jun 14, 2026
Michael_B
Viator review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
Fukushima & Iwaki – Excellent Tour With Local Guides
Seeing and learning about these places would have been enough but learning from those who actually grew up there and personally experienced their history was so much more impactful. Our guide, Miki, and our driver, Mr. Otomo (sp?), could not have been more genuinely welcoming, professional, knowledgeable, and interested in sharing their stories with us. By the end of the tour, they felt much more like friends than guides. The museums and exhibits featured on the tour itinerary are very well done and informative; and the scenery along the way was an unexpected bonus. A great experience all the way around; highly recommended.Note: This tour operator also deserves praise for voluntarily accommodating an unexpected anomaly we experienced along the way; most appreciated.
Mar 23, 2025
Phillosophizing
An Unforgettable Journey Through Resilience and Remembrance
Tripadvisor review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
Our Fukushima…
Mar 23, 2025
Phillosophizing
An Unforgettable Journey Through Resilience and Remembrance
Tripadvisor review: Fukushima Hope Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Iwaki
Our Fukushima Hope Tour with Mikiko “Miki” Shiga was truly exceptional. As a Licensed Guide Interpreter, Miki’s knowledge, compassion, and attention to detail made this powerful experience even more meaningful.
The tour took us through significant sites including the Ruins of Namie Machiritsu Ukedo Elementary School, where Miki thoughtfully translated a children’s story displayed on illustrated plaques throughout the school grounds—each page revealing part of the disaster narrative that we would have completely missed without her.
Miki went above and beyond by recommending a wonderful hotel before our tour, helping with taxi communications, and guiding us to authentic local cuisine at Michinoeki Namie (the katsu and local fish were delicious!). Even on a particularly cold day, she ensured our comfort while still providing a comprehensive experience.
What made this tour truly special was hearing Miki’s personal connection to the events—her own experiences during the earthquake, evacuation stories from locals, and how communities have persevered through devastating circumstances. Her passion for sharing Japan’s history and culture shines through in everything she does.
If you’re considering this tour, I cannot recommend Miki highly enough. Beyond just seeing historical sites, you’ll gain profound insights into human resilience and the ongoing revitalization efforts in Fukushima.
Oct 11, 2024
716zaineb
A wonderful tour worth doing!
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Miki did a wonderful job…
Oct 11, 2024
716zaineb
A wonderful tour worth doing!
Tripadvisor review: Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Miki did a wonderful job showing us a small part of Miyagi Prefecture, an area not as well-trodden by Western Tourists. She arranged a fun itinerary and provided lots of local knowledge. She made exploring Matsushima easy, and kindly provided us with plenty of tips for how to spend our remaining days in the area. We had a great time and highly recommend this tour if you find yourself in the area!