Private tour in Onomichi Joy J
5.0
(1) review
1
1
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.
35km route up and down hills & along coastline- fairly challenging for people who are moderately fit. Start no later than 9am and finish by 5pm. Start and finish at the classic port town Onomichi and cycle over islands and bridges along beautiful coastline to the cute town of Setoda. This ride takes us along the blue line SHIMANAMI cycle route along beautiful coastline, across bridges and onto secret islands to finish at the port of Setoda and then return with our bicycles by ferry back to Onomichi. I have written articles about Onomichi and its traditional and new creative entrepreneurs - it is always fun, great views and something new and interesting to enjoy each time. * Be Advised: All participants must accept personal responsibility to secure a bicycle rental on their own as well as to cycle safely (at their own risk) . The route and plans may have to change depending on the ability of the guests, weather conditions and safety.*
Meet in Onomichi (at your hotel, the main station, or at the bicycle rental shop) + Pick up bicycles in Onomichi (PLEASE BOOK BICYCLES IN ADVANCE & be advised Kids under 12 years old Bicycle rentals are difficult to find) + Travel with our bicycles by short ferry to the opposite island + visit a secret island with a lovely beach and hidden shrine + stop for coffee/tea/snacks + ride along the coastline and over bridges + finish our day of cycling at Setoda port before catching the 3pm ferry back to Onomichi For families with children riders- please make sure you can book kids bicycles for the ages and ability of your children as there are fewer kids bike rentals available. It may be necessary to adjust the plan to have less distance and hills and think of safety and ability. We can either do a smaller out and back loop around a nearby island or out and back by ferry and cycle around the Setoda area.
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.
This is a 35km cycling tour route with a bit of walking that can be adjusted to suit your fitness level. If booked at least a month in advance, it is possible to book e-bikes from a private cycle shop in Onomichi, for shorter notice, we can go as early as we can to the public Shimanami rental shop near U2. We will take a short ferry at the beginning and a longer ferry at the end both with our bicycles. (budget 4000 yen per person for the ferries) ++ We will have to adjust the plan depending on fitness and ability to make sure this is a safe and fun experience for all.
Onomichi, Hiroshima, 722-0037, Japan
Meet in front of the U2 facility - next to the main bicycle rental facility on the main Onomichi boardwalk-wharf. (or at the Bicycle Rental shop you have used for a booking).
1 reviews
Who is this private tour in Onomichi best suited for?
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Onomichi 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?
What happens if a site is closed, crowded, or the weather changes?
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
1
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works