Hiroshima & Miyajima Private Tour: 7 hours with local guide

Seven hours tracing Hiroshima's history and Miyajima's sacred island in one day

A seven-hour private guided tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima with an English-speaking local guide who knows both the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and the spiritual sites of Miyajima Island including Itsukushima Shrine. You choose between a 4-hour or 7-hour tour, and can add private vehicle transportation for an additional fee; public transit is the default. The guide leads you to both landmark sites and local-known spots off the main tourist path.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hiroshima and Miyajima highlights

• Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
• Walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
• Tour Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Explore Miyajima Island and Itsukushima Shrine
• Hike Mount Misen on Miyajima
• Stroll Miyajima streets and try local foods

The Experience

The tour runs seven hours and covers Hiroshima's peace sites and Miyajima Island with a guide who speaks English and knows the city deeply. You'll start at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where the Atomic Bomb Dome stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the preserved ruins of a building that survived the August 6, 1945 bombing. The guide walks you through the park's memorials, including the Cenotaph and the Children's Peace Monument, where colorful paper cranes symbolize hope. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum sits nearby, holding artifacts and survivors' stories that document the bombing's impact and the city's recovery.

From there, the route crosses to Miyajima Island, where Itsukushima Shrine rises from the water with its famous floating torii gate. High tide is when the gate appears to float; at low tide, you can walk out to it. The island holds other draws—Mount Misen for hikers seeking views from the summit, free-roaming deer throughout the streets, and local food like grilled oysters and momiji manju, a maple-leaf pastry. The guide steers you through the charming older streets where traditional shops and teahouses sit, and shares spots locals know that don't appear in standard guidebooks.

Public transportation is how the tour moves by default, giving you an authentic local experience of getting around Hiroshima. If you'd rather have a private vehicle for the full day, you can request one when you book and pay an additional fee. Pickup can happen at your accommodation if you arrange it in advance. The tour suits all fitness levels, and if you're traveling with infants or small children, strollers are fine to bring.

What’s included

• English-speaking local guide for the full tour.
• private and personalized itinerary tailored to your interests.
• optional private vehicle transportation (additional fee).
• optional food and drinks for you and the guide (additional fee).
• public transportation passes if you choose the default transit option.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel Japan Together Tokyo

Is this one for you?Pick the seven-hour version to see both Hiroshima's peace sites and Miyajima Island with unhurried time at each; choose the shorter option if you're visiting only one location. Add private transportation if you're traveling with luggage or children and want to avoid coordinating train schedules.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Atomic Bomb Dome and why is it part of this tour?

The Atomic Bomb Dome is the preserved ruins of a building that stood near the hypocenter of the August 6, 1945 atomic bombing—it's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visible symbol of Hiroshima's history. The guide walks you around the structure to see the contrast between the ruins and the modern city that rebuilt around it, and explains the historical context through plaques and personal stories of those affected.

Can I see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on this tour, or do I visit it on my own?

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is included in the tour itinerary, and your guide takes you there to learn about the bombing's impact through artifacts and survivors' accounts. Entry to the museum is not included in the tour price, so you pay admission separately if you choose to go inside.

What is Itsukushima Shrine and what makes it special?

Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island is famous for its floating torii gate that appears to rise from the water at high tide—it's one of Japan's most recognizable spiritual sites. At low tide, you can walk out to the gate itself. The shrine sits on the island alongside traditional streets, local food, and free-roaming deer.

Is lunch included, or do I need to arrange food on my own?

Food and drinks are optional on this tour—you can choose to include them for yourself and the guide when you book, or you can eat on your own. Miyajima has local specialties like grilled oysters and momiji manju available in shops and teahouses throughout the island.

How do I get around during the tour—is it public transit or a private car?

The tour uses public transportation by default, which gives you an authentic local experience of how Hiroshima residents move around the city. If you prefer a private vehicle for the full seven hours, you can request one when booking and pay an additional fee.

Can the tour pick me up from my hotel?

Yes, you can arrange a meet-up at your accommodation when you book the tour in advance. If you don't arrange pickup, you'll meet the guide at an agreed location in Hiroshima.