Private tour in Hiroshima Joy J

Hiroshima 2-Top Sights Peace Park AND Miyajima island All-Day Highlights Tour

5.0

(41) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Joy J.

5.0

Guide rating

83

Reviews

Tours delivered

9 hrs

Avg. response time

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 university. We bought a traditional Japanese house & renovated it into a comfortable home. I am passionate about sustainable travel & business - having a balance with tourism of what is good for locals and also appealing for international visitors. Finding ways to offer 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. I love highlighting the stories of "good people doing great things in Japan", so I host a talkshow-podcast called SEEK SUSTAINABLE JAPAN & now have over 500 episodes - it is fun to talk about some of these people on the tour if guests are interested in a related topic. I have an MA in Sustainable Tourism (Arizona State University) and taught business, communication and tourism classes to University students for 21 years. I also do tour guide training in Hiroshima and Tokyo to help guides create fun and interesting routes that highlight local stories and avoid crowds. 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 or private hire car. I look forward to meeting you and hearing your stories too while showing you around my long-time adopted home of Hiroshima.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Joy J.

Overview of your Hiroshima 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. 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. (It is difficult to do both locations in less than 7 hours) The fee for this tour covers guiding & communication assistance to engage with locals. I can cover my own transportation, entry & food/drink costs. Guests should 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)

Your Hiroshima tour itinerary

1) Travel to the island of Miyajima by train and ferry + Visit the stunning Otori - giant "floating" tori gate and "floating" shrine (60-90 min) + Visit one of Japan's most significant Buddhist temples Daishoin (1 hour) +Visit high-quality local shops and get snacks, drinks or a meal if you'd like (30 minutes +) 2) Travel to Hiroshima city by tram, train, or boat for the second Hiroshima part of the tour + (if we have time) Hiroshima castle, shrine, A-bombed trees and historical ruins + (if we have time) Shukkei-en zen gardens + Take our time to walk through Hiroshima's peace park: UNESCO A-bomb dome and its meaningful memorials. (I do not go inside the museum with guests as it is a personal experience but I usually spend 30-60 minutes with guests walking around the peace park grounds). The itinerary is flexible and catered to suit your pace and interests.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

If you enjoy walking and the weather is fine, we can do this tour by train, ferry and on foot. The cost of transportation roundtrip for those without a rail pass is about 2000 yen per person. If you want to take the boat from the peace park to Miyajima island it costs 2300 per person one way. If you have a JR Rail pass, you will be able to use the JR sightseeing bus, train and ferry for free

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Private Transportation
Private Transportation With Driver
Accommodation
Tastings
Classes Workshop
Meeting location

Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 732-0822, Japan

Hiroshima Cruise Port, Your Hotel, Hiroshima Train Station or Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Museum Entrance

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Art And Culture
Architecture
Tour reference number
1138228
Languages
English
Japanese
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
5.0

Traveller reviews for this private tour in Hiroshima

41 reviews

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Hiroshima best suited for?

This private tour in Hiroshima is perfect for travellers who want to explore the city's most famous sights, including Miyajima island and Hiroshima city, in one day. It's ideal for those interested in history, culture, and natural beauty. The tour is also suitable for families with kids, seniors, and travellers with mobility concerns as it is wheelchair accessible.

Can this private tour in Hiroshima be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

Is this private tour in Hiroshima suitable for cruise ship passengers as a shore excursion?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Explore more of Hiroshima
Two World Heritage Sites - Hiroshima and Miyajima Full Day TourHiroshima-Miyajima full day walking tourTwo World Heritage Sites Private Tour - Hiroshima/ Miyajima Full Day Tour with Government Licensed GuideExplore Hiroshima and Miyajima with your local guideHiroshima 2-Top Sights Peace Park AND Miyajima island All-Day Highlights TourHalf day in Peace Memorial Park and city walkHiroshima & Miyajima: History, Peace & Island BeautyHiroshima: Ancient and ModernExplore Hiroshima city with your local guideHiroshima and Miyajima full day TourShore Excursion : Hiroshima and Miyajima full day TourEnjoy with the beautiful Hiroshima City with your local guideHiroshima city highlights tourHiroshima Half Day City Tour with Government Licensed GuideHiroshima and Miyajima island full-day Private tourHiroshima-Miyajima full day tour. Two of the Hiroshima's UNESCO World Heritage sightsWalk through the history of Hiroshima with your local guideHiroshima: Peace Memorial Park, Shukkei-en Garden + Soul Food – Tour Full day in Hiroshima cityFull day tour on your requestCRUISE SHORE EXCURSION: Hiroshima & Miyajima Major Highlights in One Day (8hrs )UNESCO Heritage Journey: Hiroshima Peace Park & Miyajima ShrineHiroshima Highlights TourTrace the History of Hiroshima and Witness the Resilience of its LocalsHiroshima and Miyajima HighlightsHiroshima's Modern HistoryFull day Tour in MiyajimaFrom the Cruise Ship Port to Central HiroshimaFull-Day Hiroshima and Miyajima World Heritage Sites TourShort tour in MiyajimaHiroshima's Modern History and Sake Tasting TourMiyajima Highlights in 6 hoursHiroshima Day Trip: Kintaikyo Bridge & Miyajima Island HighlightsHiroshima's Modern HistoryThe best of Miyajima half day tourHiroshima: Miyajima Island Half-Day Tour with Guide4 Hours in HiroshimaHiroshima best spots half day tourHiroshima Full Day City Tour with Government Licensed GuideHiroshima nuclear Peace Memorial Museum Miyajima one life once time never forget