Sendai & Matsushima Customized Tour in 1 Day — Guide Riko
December, 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
- 8:45 Meet @ Sendai Station～8:56 Travel from Sendai to Matsushima Kaigan～9:50 @ Oshima～10:50 @ Zuiganji Temple～12:00 @ Matsushima Bay Cruise～13:00 Lunch @ Taikantei～13:50 @ Kanrantei～14:10 @ Godaido～14:20 @ Fukuura Bridge & Fukuura Island～14:45 Disband (Fukuura Island)
Title: Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Matsushima and Sendai? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a close-knit group. One of them had a connection to Japan, having lived in Sendai long ago, and had also visited Matsushima together with family many years ago. During lunch, one of them asked me, "I've brought a portion of a family member's remains—would it be possible to have them buried at a temple in Matsushima or Sendai?" I explained that Zuiganji Temple does not have parishioners, and that Entsuin and Tenrin'in would likely require purchasing a new burial plot. I explained that establishing a new connection with a temple and arranging a burial would not be something that could be resolved during a short stay, and asked whether they had any relatives in Japan. They mentioned having a relative here. In that case, I suggested that they consult with that relative and see if the remains could be buried together in the family's existing grave, though of course it might involve some cost. They replied, "I see, then I'll consult with my relative." At first they had looked quite serious, but after talking, they seemed a little relieved. That made me think that perhaps this was why they had wanted to visit Ojima. Accepting remains at Ojima was only done until the early Meiji era, and of course is no longer done today.
On the way from Ojima to Zuiganji, one of the guests suddenly panicked, realizing they had left a bag in the restroom we had stopped at along the way. They hurried back to the restroom and the bag was safe. After that, every time we moved on, I made a point of checking whether everyone had all their belongings.
In our email discussions beforehand, I had said that even with six hours it would be impossible to visit every place they hoped to see, but they still wanted to visit as many places of memory as possible. So we agreed that I would give them clear directions for the return route, and we would part ways at Fukuurajima at the end. I was careful not to rush them at each place we visited. They wanted to spend a little more time at Fukuurajima, and mentioned they would buy souvenirs on the way back to the station. There were various little mishaps, such as a change in schedule due to a mistaken bullet train reservation and the forgotten item, but we said goodbye with smiles, and they thanked me warmly and said they had enjoyed it very much.
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 | Train | Sendai～Matsushima Kaigan | 420JPY |
| Total | 420JPY | ||
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.