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
- 10:00 Meet @ Hotel Sendai Kotodai Koen
- 10:00~11:08 Travel (walk ~ Sendai City Subway Kotodai Koen Station ~ Senseki Line Aoba-dori Station ~ Matsushimakaigan Station)
- 11:10~12:00 @ Oshima
- 12:00~12:10 @ Godaido (viewing from the quay as the Sukashibashi bridge is under construction)
- 12:10~13:40 @ Fukuurabashi Bridge ~ Fukuura Island
- 13:40~14:20 @ Zuiganji Temple approach ~ Sanshodo ~ Ibuki ~ Tenrin-in (Mausoleum of Date Iroha-hime)
- 14:32~14:42 Travel (Senseki Line Matsushimakaigan Station ~ Hon-Shiogama Station)
- 14:50~15:30 @ Urakasumi Brewery Saura
- 15:59~16:29 Travel (Senseki Line Matsushimakaigan Station ~ Aoba-dori Station)
- 16:30~16:45 Guide to dinner venue (Marumatsu Ichibancho branch)
- 16:45 Dismissal
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Matsushima and Sendai Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Through prior email correspondence, we learned that the originally requested Kirin Beer Sendai Factory is closed on Mondays, so as an alternative I proposed a visit to the Urakasumi sake brewery in Shiogama, located midway between Sendai and Matsushima. Just before the tour, we discovered that the Sukashibashi bridge leading to Godaido in Matsushima was closed for repair work until the end of March, so we decided to view it from the quay side and to keep the later part of the itinerary relaxed. The guest accepted this, as it was their first visit to a sake brewery. Since meals were provided only in the morning and evening, no lunch was needed, so we decided to take our time and explore thoroughly (I got very hungry, which was tough for me). Instead, they asked me to recommend an affordable place for dinner, so I picked out several options accessible from around the Hotel. The guest was very energetic, and although Oshima and Fukuurajima islands are usually visited only at key points, they said "since we're here, let's go as far as we can," so we explored every corner of both islands. To make up for not being able to cross to Godaido, we added the approach path to Zuiganji Temple and the Iroha-hime mausoleum at Tenrin-in, and by stopping off at Urakasumi in Shiogama on the way back to Sendai, I kept the long travel time between Matsushima and Sendai from feeling long. During the tour we chatted constantly. At Urakasumi they showed us an English video about sake brewing in addition to the tasting, and while the guest enjoyed sampling at the counter I gave a mini lecture on sake making. My experience last year guiding international students on a sake brewing tour for the National Tax Agency came in handy. The tasting service for the guest was even given as a bonus, which delighted them greatly. I asked "Is it okay to have alcohol on an empty stomach?" and they said "This much is fine."
On the way back, when I offered to take them to a family restaurant near the Hotel, they surprised me by saying "Actually, my real accommodation is the Hotel. I chose the Hotel in Kotodai Park as the meeting point because I thought an easy-to-find place would be better." I said "You could have told me when we confirmed," but they explained they had come to the meeting point while exploring the city. I gave them a Sendai city map I had on hand, suggesting they use it for the next day's travels. On the way back, instead of taking the subway, I took them to a Japanese-style family restaurant, Marumatsu, and since they were going to eat there, we parted ways at that point.
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 City Subway Namboku Line Kotodai Koen Station～Sendai City Subway Namboku Line Sendai Station | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | JR Senseki Line Aoba-dori Station～JR Senseki Line Matsushimakaigan Station | 420JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | JR Senseki Line Matsushimakaigan Station～JR Senseki Line Hon-Shiogama Station | 200JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | JR Senseki Line Hon-Shiogama Station～JR Senseki Line Aoba-dori Station | 330JPY |
| Total | 1,160JPY | ||
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.