Private tour in Hiroshima Jackie I

Miyajima Highlights in 6 hours

5.0

(1) review

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Hours icon 6 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
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Hours icon 6 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Jackie I.

5.0

Guide rating

3

Reviews

Tours delivered

11 hrs

Avg. response time

My family exists because of a fortunately located hill. On August 6th 1945, my mother-in-law was 3 years old and if her home had been almost anywhere else, my Japanese husband and my beautiful daughter would never have been born. So, even though I was born in Scotland, the story of what happened here feels personal to me, and like many who spend a lot of time in this city, telling it to as many people as I can feels like a mission given to me by the survivors of the atomic bomb I have had the privilege to meet. I came to Japan in 1991 “for a year”, and somehow now it is 2025 and I’m still here. I fell in love, not only with a boy from Hiroshima, but also with Japan, with all its natural beauty, its complex history and culture; at times enigmatic and contradictory, and at other times crazy, “kawaii” and quintessentially simple. My time in Japan has been spent teaching; facilitating cross cultural exchange and learning, translating and interpreting, helping film and documentary makers, and volunteering as an event facilitator for community outreach theatre, all of which involved introducing international guests to Hiroshima and its history, meeting survivors and prominent figures from Hiroshima’s post war reconstruction era. Hopefully this experience can add something to my tours. I’d love to share with you what I have learned during my 35 years here in Japan, and 25 in Hiroshima, and would love to hear your insights too. All tours can be customised and adapted to your needs. Japanese law prevents me from driving you around, so tours are assumed to be on foot or by public transport, but if you prefer a private car, I can help you arrange one. If you have any questions, please send me a message!

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Jackie I.

Overview of your Hiroshima tour

Join me on a visit to the idyllic sacred island of Miyajima, with its very own UNESCO World Heritage Site: the incomparable Itsukushima Shrine. See the iconic vermillion coloured "floating" Grand Torii gate, and the myriad of spiritual characters who adorn the pathway up to Daishoin Temple, as you learn a little about the superstitious spiritual history of Japan and the attitudes of Japanese people to religion through the centuries. Make friends with the most inquisitive residents of the island, the free roaming deer, and sample some of the delicious local treats as you browse our local independent arts and crafts stores to find the perfect souvenir. PLEASE NOTE: This tour includes travelling together from Hiroshima Station to the Island of Miyajima, and back. Meeting and ending locations can be customised for your convenience or to give you more time on the island. Please contact me for more details. LUNCH/COFFEE breaks can be incorporated into the tour if you wish.

Your Hiroshima tour itinerary

- Meet at Hiroshima station and travel together to Miyajima with me by train and ferry. - Learn about the history of the sacred island as we walk along the sea front, on our way to see the famous Grand Torii Gate. - Visit UNESCO World Heritage site Itsukushima shrine, learn about the kinds of Shinto ceremonies traditionally performed there, and hear legends from its history. - Visit Daishoin temple, a centre of Shingon Buddhism founded by one of Japan’s most famous Buddhist monks in 806AD. See its very photogenic collection of statues and perhaps try a Buddhist ritual, as you learn about Japanese spirituality through the centuries. - Explore the traditional houses of the less traveled backstreets, with their local independent shops, galleries and eateries, as we make our way back to the ferry terminal for our return journey.

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

This is a walking tour but we will use public transportation to reach the island. Train from Hiroshima station to Miyajimaguchi Station. (About 30 minutes - ¥440 each way) Ferry from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima Island. (About 10 minutes ¥500 round trip) Please let me know if anyone in your group has mobility issues. Taxis may be used for parts of the journey at your discretion and expense. Private cars may be arranged at your extra expense depending on availability but usually require booking well in advance. Message for details.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Tickets: eg Itsukushima Shrine entry ¥300
Private Transportation
Private Transportation With Driver
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 732-0822, Japan

I'll meet you just outside the Shinkansen ticket gates on the 2F of Hiroshima station building.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Architecture
Religious Sites
Art And Culture
Food And Drink
Tour reference number
1440964
Languages
English
Japanese
Activity level
Moderate

Traveller reviews

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Hiroshima best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers interested in Japanese spirituality, history, and culture. You'll explore the sacred island of Miyajima, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Itsukushima Shrine, and enjoy local crafts and culinary delights. It's ideal for those who want to connect with a local guide like Jackie I. for deeper insights.

What should I bring or wear?

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?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

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Hours icon 6 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 6 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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