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
- 9:15 – 9:45 Entsuin Temple 10:00 – 11:00 Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Boat 11:15 – 11:4 Meal at Matsushima Fish Market 12:00 – 12:45 Zuiganji Temple 14:00 14:30 Zuihoden 15:00 – 15:45 Sendai Castle Ruins 16:15 Dismissal in front of Sendai Station
Can You See Both Sendai and Matsushima in One Day? A Licensed Guide's Private Tour Report
The guest was a visitor from Europe who came alone to attend an international medical conference held in Sendai. Due to a very busy schedule, the guest wanted to see both Sendai and Matsushima in a single day, which made for a demanding itinerary. The guest was very knowledgeable about Japan, knowing the names of Sengoku-era warlords as well as famous generals of the Japanese military from the Meiji era onward, such as Togo Heihachiro and Yamamoto Isoroku. The guest seemed to enjoy photography and took a considerable number of photos. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) tends to assign local guides within a range that does not require transportation costs, but if transportation expenses were covered, as a guide living in Sendai I could handle day trips as far north as Morioka and as far south as Fukushima. I wonder whether there might be a review of this policy.
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 Coast | 440JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Matsushima Coast～Sendai | 440JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Sendai～Sendai | 630JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Boat Pier～Matsushima Bay Sightseeing Boat Pier | 1,000JPY |
| Total | 2,510JPY | ||
Hello. My name is Kohmin Iwabuchi, but please call me KOH for short. I have been working as a tour guide for more than 10 years. So far, I have visited hundreds of scenic spots, but there is one place I will not go. Guess what is it? That’s the top of Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. I can climb the mountain, but it’s hard for me to guide people while climbing.
I am interested in traditional sports in Japan, particularly sumo wrestling. Sumo is time honored sports. We can trace its origin back to some thousand years ago. First it was played as an entertainment in a Shinto shrine. The rule of sumo is simple. The match is played by two participants in a ring. If any parts of the body of one of the participants except the sole touches the ground or he was pushed out of the ring, he will be defeated.
The appearance of sumo wrestlers is very traditional, because their samurai like hairstyle “chonmage” originates from feudal ages.
Unlike boxing and wrestling, there are no weight restrictions or classes, meaning that your opponent can be many times your own size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training. Personally my weight is about 200 pounds which enables me to be a sumo wrestler.
Sumo wrestlers live in a sumo stable. It’s the place where they eat, drink, train and sleep together. In greater Tokyo area, there are about 40 sumo stables, many of which are located in Ryogoku area. A small number of stables welcome people to come and see the morning practice. I hope some day I can visit there with you.
Jul 18, 2024
OnAir13534982348
Tour curated to my family’s interests!
Tripadvisor review: Takachiho Gorge Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Koh contacted me ahead of…
Jul 18, 2024
OnAir13534982348
Tour curated to my family’s interests!
Tripadvisor review: Takachiho Gorge Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Koh contacted me ahead of time and curated the tour according to my family’s interests – culture, temples and food. We wanted to taste Sendai’s specialties, and would have missed out on beef tongue and grilled squid had it not been for Koh! He also hired a car for us when I expressed that funds weren’t an issue for us. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend 10/10.