Fukuyama & Tomonoura Private Tour with Licensed Guide

Summary

Discover Fukuyama’s History and Tomonoura’s Coastal Charm

You’ll walk through real Edo-era streets in Tomonoura, sip local homeishu liquor, explore samurai relics at Fukuyama Castle, and catch sea views that inspired poets and diplomats alike—all with stories from a licensed local guide who knows every shortcut.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me in Tomonoura was the salty breeze off the Seto Inland Sea—soft, but it lingers. Our guide, Ms. Sato, met us right by the old stone lighthouse. She pointed out how merchant ships once crowded this bay, waiting for the tide to turn. The streets here still feel like a film set from the Edo period: wooden houses, narrow lanes, and the faint smell of dried fish from a tiny shop near the harbor. We ducked into a local store to try homeishu—a herbal liquor that’s been brewed here for centuries. It’s sweet and earthy; honestly, not what I expected but worth a sip.

Fukuyama Castle stands just a short train ride away. The castle’s white walls look almost too clean against the city skyline, but inside you’ll find relics from feudal times—armor, scrolls, even some old fans decorated with cranes. Our guide explained how most of the original buildings were lost in WWII and rebuilt in 1966. There’s a small museum tucked inside one of the towers; if you’re into samurai history or just want to see swords up close, don’t skip it.

If you’ve got extra time (and comfy shoes), Shinshoji Temple is about 15 km out of town. It’s not ancient—built in 1965—but it feels peaceful with its forest trails and pond full of lazy koi. We tried a short meditation session led by one of the monks; I’m not sure I did it right, but sitting there listening to nothing but birds was oddly calming.

Back in town, we wandered through Kusado Sengen’s archaeological site—honestly easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. There are displays showing tools and pottery dug up along the Ashida River; our guide shared stories about how people lived here hundreds of years ago. If you’re traveling with kids or just curious about quirky museums, check out Fukuyama’s Footwear Museum (yes, really). Over 2,000 pairs of shoes from all over Japan—and some are wild.

We wrapped up at Taicho-ro Hall next to Fukuzen-ji Temple. The view from here is famous—even Korean envoys used to stay and sketch the islands dotting the sea below. I grabbed a quick photo as clouds rolled in; honestly, it looked like an old ink painting come to life.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fukuyama and Tomonoura Highlights

• Visit Tomonoura port town
• Explore another area of Tomonoura
• See Fukuyama Castle
• Visit Shinshoji Temple
• Tour Kusado Sengen medieval town site
• Explore Myooin Temple and pagoda
• Visit Kusado Sengen historical museum
• See Footwear Museum and Folk Toy Museum
• Visit Taicho-ro gathering hall
• See Susanoo Temple

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes! The tour is stroller-friendly and all areas are wheelchair accessible. Kids often enjoy stops like the Footwear Museum or exploring castle grounds.

Can I choose which sites we visit?

Absolutely—you can pick your must-see spots from our list when booking. Your guide will help plan an efficient route based on your interests.

How do we meet our guide?

Your licensed guide will meet you on foot within central Fukuyama—details will be sent after booking so it's easy to find each other.

Is transportation included?

This is a walking tour within Fukuyama city area; public transport options are nearby if needed but not included in the base price.

What’s included

You’ll have a government-licensed English-speaking guide just for your group. The tour is customizable—pick 2–3 sites from our list that interest you most! All walking routes are accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Service animals are welcome too.