I grew up in Hawaii, went to university in Southern California and been now living and working in Hiroshima, Japan for most of my life (it’s a great place to live!). 

Most of my career, I taught tourism, business & communications at university and have been researching, training and writing about Hiroshima travel for the last 20+ years. In 1999, my partner and I started a local website to introduce a deeper and more meaningful experience to travelers and new residents coming to Hiroshima. 

We raised two bilingual kids here who are now in high-school and university. We bought a traditional Japanese house & renovated it into a comfortable home. I am passionate about sustainable travel and how we can have the best travel experiences which also benefit local people & environment while supporting the local economy. 

I love meeting new people and seeing Japan fresh through visitors eyes while sharing my insights about Japanese culture, traditions, history, natural features, modern life issues in Japan, sustainability issues and locally made products & artisans. 

In my free time, I host a talkshow-podcast and I love interviewing people who are doing interesting things across Japan. 

I have an MA in Sustainable Tourism (Arizona State University) and taught business, communication and tourism classes to University students for 21 years. I am also a trainer of tour guides in Hiroshima to help them improve the visitor experience here by engaging with each group in a unique, fun and personable way. 

I do not hold the Japanese translation-guide license but this does not limit what or where I can guide visitors in Hiroshima. Japanese law, however, does not me as a guide to drive customers, but I can accompany you in your taxi.

I look forward to meeting you and showing you around my long-time adopted home of Hiroshima.

Hiroshima's most famous sights are both impressive UNESCO sites- beautiful to visit any time of year. I recommend seeing them on different days if possible, but if you only have one day to see both, this tour is for you.

Full-day tour of Hiroshima's top-2 sights: Miyajima island (Itsukushima) and Hiroshima city - the most popular and most impressive key sights. Important themes of peace, history, resilience, culture, traditions, heritage, locally-made products and natural beauty.

We can finish this tour in about 8 hrs depending on our walking pace, level of interest and stops.

The fee for this tour covers guiding & translation as well as my own transportation, entry & food/drink costs. Guests should plan to cover their own travel, entry fees and transportation - plan for additional 5, 000 per person to cover any food and drink. (JR pass covers JR train & JR ferry & JR bus)

Hiroshima city AND Miyajima island All-Day Highlights Tour

Hiroshima's most famous UNESCO world heritage A-bomb dome, peace pa- beautiful to visit any time of year. I recommend seeing them on different days if possible, but if you only have one day to see both, this tour is for you.

Full-day tour of Hiroshima city and Kintaikyo bridge: Important themes of peace, history, resilience, culture, traditions, heritage, locally-made products and natural beauty.

We can finish this tour in about 8 hours depending on our walking pace, level of interest and stops.

The fee for this tour covers guiding & translation as well as my own transportation, entry & food/drink costs. Guests should plan to cover their own travel, entry fees and transportation - plan for additional 5, 000 per person to cover any travel, food and drink.

Hiroshima city AND Kintaikyo Bridge All-Day Highlights Tour

Hiroshima's most famous sights are both impressive UNESCO sites- beautiful to visit any time of year. I recommend seeing them on different days if possible, but if you only have one day to see both, this tour is for you.

6-hour tour of Hiroshima's top-2 sights: Miyajima island (Itsukushima) and Hiroshima peace park - the most popular and most impressive key sights. Important themes of peace, history, resilience, culture, traditions, heritage, locally-made products and natural beauty.

The fee for this tour covers guiding &amp; communication assistance to engage with locals.   Guests should cover their own travel, entry fees and transportation - plan for additional 5, 000 per person to cover any food and drink.

Main Cruiseship port for International Liners CELEBRITY: The taxi to Miyajima ferry port from the Itsukaichi-ko port is about 4000 yen and takes 20-25 minutes. 

The taxi back to ITSUKAICHI-KO port from the peace memorial park also takes about 25 minutes and costs 4000 yen.

Tour guide in Hiroshima Miyajima Joy J.

English, Japanese

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