Overview
Eight hours, one licensed local English-speaking guide, and only your group on the walk. Japan Guide Agency runs this private day tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima, and the shape of the day is largely yours to set: you pick three or four sites from the itinerary list and the guide builds the route around them.
The day starts on foot. You meet your guide at an agreed point in Hiroshima, often the station for those arriving by train, and reviewers repeatedly praise the clear meeting instructions sent ahead of time. From there the group travels by public transport, taxi, ferry, or a combination, depending on the pace and weather. One reviewer used taxis and the ferry in the rain to keep things quick; another noted the guide routed them through quieter pathways to dodge crowds and stairs.
It suits travellers who want a local's depth rather than a fixed script. Reviews describe guides sharing personal thoughts and experiences, folding in a favorite ramen shop, and taking requests when building the schedule. What you pay the listing price for is the guide's time and knowledge. Transport, ferry, entry fees, lunch, and a Miyajima visitor tax paid in cash are extra.
What's Included
Included
- Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
- Meet up with guide in Hiroshima on foot
- Customizable Walking Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'Itinerary' list
Not Included
- Optional: Transportation fees, Ferry, Entrance fees, lunch, and Other personal expenses
- Miyajima Visitor tax of (Cash only) (JP¥100.00 per person)
- Private Vehicle
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups
- Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect
Itinerary
- Meet your guideYou meet the licensed guide on foot at an agreed point in Hiroshima. Reviewers describe meeting at the station, with the exact spot confirmed in advance.
- Plan the day togetherBefore and at the start, you agree on three or four sites from the itinerary list. Reviews mention guides taking requests and tailoring the schedule to the group's interests.
- Miyajima islandMany groups take the ferry to Miyajima first, visiting the shrine, the gate, and local food spots. Tides affect whether the famous gate appears to float, as one reviewer noted.
- Lunch stopOptional and at your own expense. Guides often suggest local places, with reviewers naming okonomiyaki and ramen spots their guide recommended.
- Hiroshima peace sitesThe afternoon commonly covers Peace Memorial Park and the museum. Several reviewers describe the museum as moving and sobering, with the guide adding context throughout.
- Finish and part waysThe tour runs eight hours and finishes when the agreed itinerary is complete. Confirm the end point with your guide if you need to be somewhere at a set time.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points, drawn from the listing and from what travellers report, will help you plan the day.
- Budget for extras. Transport, ferry, entrance fees, and lunch are not included, and the Miyajima visitor tax is cash only. Budget for these separately on top of the tour price.
- Wear walking shoes. This is a walking tour with pickup on foot, and reviewers describe long days with a lot of steps. One couple left with aching arches after eight hours of walking. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything else you pack.
- Expect real pace. Reviewers call the day full and busy, with guides keeping groups on track. If you want more time somewhere, say so early. One traveller wanted longer in the museum than the schedule allowed.
- Weather shapes plans. Rain pushed one group toward taxis and the fastest ferry option, and low tide left the Miyajima gate standing on exposed ground rather than floating. The itinerary flexes around conditions, which is one advantage of a private guide.
- Cruise friendly. Confirm the end point if you must be back at a ship on time.
- Photos and privacy. Multiple reviewers mention guides taking photos for the group. It is a private tour, so only your group takes part.
Common issues. The main friction points are cost and stamina. Transport, ferry, entrance fees, lunch, and the cash-only Miyajima visitor tax are all extra, and the listing does not bundle a private vehicle, so the day depends on public transport and your own feet. One reviewer described the physical demands of a full eight hours of walking. The tour is not a fixed itinerary either: since you choose three or four sites, groups wanting everything should expect trade-offs, and one reviewer wanted more time at the museum than the day allowed. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted and receive no refund.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
The price covers a licensed local English-speaking guide for eight hours, a meet-up in Hiroshima on foot, and a customizable walking tour of three or four sites from the itinerary list. It is private, so only your group takes part. Transportation, ferry, entrance fees, lunch, and other personal expenses are not included.
Is Food Included?
No. Lunch and any snacks are at your own expense. Guides frequently suggest places to eat, and reviewers mention okonomiyaki, ramen, and restaurants their guide recommended, but you pay for these yourself.
Is Pickup At My Hotel Included?
The listing does not state pickup as an included service. It describes a meet-up with the guide in Hiroshima on foot.
Are Entrance Fees And The Ferry Extra?
Yes. Entrance fees, the ferry, and transportation during the day are optional extras you pay for yourself, plus a Miyajima visitor tax of JPY 100 per person in cash. The guide's own entry is covered only for sights listed under What to Expect.
Is The Tour Suitable For Wheelchair Users And Children?
The listing states the tour is wheelchair accessible, including transportation and surfaces, and that pushchairs and service animals are fine. Most travellers can participate, according to the listing. Note it is a walking tour, so pace and distance are worth discussing with the guide in advance.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancel or request changes less than 24 hours before the start and there is no refund and no acceptance of changes. The cut-off times follow the experience's local time.
