Miyagi in One Day: @ Godaido — 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
- 9:00 Meet @ Matsushima Onsen Komatsukan Kofutei ~ On foot
- 9:20 @ Godaido
- 10:00 @ Matsushima Sightseeing Boat (Masamune Course)
- 10:20 @ Kanrantei + Matsushima Museum ~ Stroll through Matsushima Park
- 11:30 Lunch (Light Meal) @ Kikuya Base
- 12:10 @ Zuiganji Temple Approach + Zuiganji Temple + Treasure Hall
- 13:10 Stroll through the back of Matsushima Town (Kako District) @ Gallery Zen
- Move on foot ~
- 14:10 @ FamilyMart (Currency Exchange)
- 14:55 Disband
Title: What Is a Private Guided Tour of Matsushima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The meeting point was designated at the accommodation, so I contacted the hotel in advance and asked if I could leave my private car there until 15:00 (I received a parking permit).
It was the first visit to Japan for the guests, and since one of them was gluten-free, I had prepared wheat-free soy sauce just in case. The destinations and first-class seats on the sightseeing boat were the guests' requests, so I had contacted the boat operator to inquire about first-class seating. Thanks to a campaign, the upgrade fee was only 1,000 yen, which was lucky. It was nice to see the guests relaxed and at ease. Since they mentioned that when coming to the accommodation they hadn't known how things worked and had struggled to carry heavy suitcases by taxi, I explained that guests staying there could use the shuttle bus. As they planned to go sightseeing in Sendai on their own the next day, I got them English maps of Sendai and Matsushima at the boat rest house. Since they were staying another two days, I also introduced free rest facilities. At the end, I also inquired at the hotel about using the shuttle bus, and the guests, who had seemed anxious, appeared relieved.
On the way back, I stopped by a convenience store because the guests had asked about currency exchange, so I guided them to a convenience store near the hotel and showed them that they could withdraw cash with a credit card. Regarding lunch (a light meal), since one of the guests didn't have much appetite and couldn't eat much, they wanted something light, so at a shop across from the historic teahouse I had scallop skewers grilled without soy sauce. They immediately enjoyed them using the gluten-free soy sauce I had prepared. The other guest, who also wasn't very hungry, showed interest in the ramune bottle and, while being taught how to open it by the shop staff, enjoyed the nostalgic ramune soda. At the convenience store where we exchanged money, the guests said they wanted to buy rice snacks, so I helped them shop. It was difficult to find snacks completely free of wheat, but since they said "a little is fine," I helped them choose a few. When I asked how they had been managing their meals, they said there were very few things one of them could eat, so out of concern, on the way back I asked at the front desk to please prepare meals with as little wheat as possible if feasible. The hotel staff took a note and replied, "Understood."
During their stay in Matsushima, in addition to Sendai, they plan to visit Oshima and nearby Fukuurajima on their own.
Click here for more details: Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day 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.