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 at the hotel
- Below, travel by chartered taxi
- 9:40 @ Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market
- 12:00 @ Matsushima Sightseeing Boat Basho Course (Shiogama-Matsushima Course)
- 13:00 – 13:50 Travel to Sendai City
- 14:00 @ Zuihoden
- 14:45-15:00 Travel to Sendai City Museum (the chartered taxi departs here: 6-hour contract)
- 15:00 @ Sendai City Museum
- 15:40 Travel to Sendai Station by guest-arranged taxi
- 16:00 Dismissal at Sendai Station
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Shiogama, Matsushima, and Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The weather was uncertain that day, but fortunately we avoided the rain and were able to finish the tour without any trouble. Since there had been a request to try seafood at the wholesale market, I recommended visiting early, and the guests said, "We'll make it a brunch, so we only had sandwiches this morning." In the taxi on the way, everyone enjoyed chatting and got excited talking about Japanese convenience stores. After strolling around the market, they asked what they should eat in Shiogama right now, and when I answered, "What's caught in Matsushima Bay this season includes mantis shrimp and swimming crab," they said, "They look a little scary, but if you recommend them, we'll give them a try," and made a purchase. When they said they never see it at conveyor-belt sushi, I explained, "Only high-end sushi restaurants serve it as a topping, because it takes a lot of effort to peel." When the guests tasted it, one of them especially loved it, saying, "Delicious!" Before boarding the Matsushima sightseeing boat, they also enjoyed draft beer and snacks, and the mood stayed lively throughout. This time it was a small boat, but they seemed to enjoy the Basho course with its views of islands featuring beautiful rock faces. As soon as we arrived, we got into a taxi to head back toward Sendai. The travel time was long, but they thoroughly enjoyed chatting in the car. I had mentioned the stairs at Zuihoden in advance, and although I said "It's good exercise," they still climbed the steps energetically. Recently, handrails were installed alongside the 60 stone steps at Zuihoden and the additional steps—twice as high—leading up to Date Masamune's mausoleum, but the area in front of the mausoleum is still not suitable for those with difficulty walking. After moving to the Sendai City Museum, we said goodbye to the chartered taxi there. At the museum, the special exhibition can currently be seen with a ticket for the permanent exhibition, but since it was a quiz-format special exhibition making use of existing collection items, it didn't seem to resonate much with the guests. It was more of a program aimed at children. When it was time to return to Sendai Station, it was a 10-minute walk to the subway station, but understandably tired, they decided to call a taxi and said they would have a matcha latte at Sendai Station, parting ways cheerfully.
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.