Hiroshima & Miyajima Private Tour: 8-Hour Local Guide

Eight hours, two cities, one guide who knows them both

An 8-hour private tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima led by a local guide with over 20 years of experience in the city. You walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome with historical context, visit the Peace Memorial Museum at your own pace, travel by train and ferry to Miyajima Island, and explore Itsukushima Shrine and its floating torii gate. The itinerary adjusts to your interests, energy level, weather and the tide: timing and order shift based on what matters to you that day. Pickup from your accommodation is included. Lunch features local okonomiyaki with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park1h
2. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum1h

Explore Hiroshima and Miyajima Island

• Walk Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
• Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Travel to Miyajima Island by train and ferry
• Lunch with local Hiroshima cuisine
• Explore Itsukushima Shrine and torii gate
• Enjoy quiet walks and Daishoin Temple

The experience

Eight hours is enough time to move through Hiroshima's central sites without rushing and still reach Miyajima Island with daylight left. The guide begins at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, walking you through the A-Bomb Dome and surrounding memorials while sharing historical background and local perspectives on the city's recovery. You then have the choice to explore the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum together with the guide or move through it independently, depending on how much time you want to spend and what pace suits you that morning.

After lunch (okonomiyaki prepared locally, with vegetarian and gluten-free versions available), you travel by local train and ferry to Miyajima Island, a journey of roughly one hour each way. The guide leads you to Itsukushima Shrine and the iconic floating torii gate, then explores quieter streets and smaller temples like Daishoin, or stops for tea, depending on what you want to see and how you're feeling. Timing matters here: depending on the tide, the day may start on Miyajima to catch the torii gate at high tide, then circle back to Hiroshima afterward.

Nothing about the route is locked in. The guide adjusts the order, timing and which stops you linger at based on your interests, energy, weather and conditions on the day. This flexibility is what makes the tour work for travelers who want a meaningful introduction to both places without the feeling of being moved through a checklist.

What’s included

• Private full-day walking tour with pickup from your accommodation or an agreed meeting point.
• English-speaking local guide with over 20 years of experience in Hiroshima.
• guided walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome.
• entry to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (visited together or independently).
• local train and ferry transport to Miyajima Island.
• lunch featuring local okonomiyaki with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
• exploration of Itsukushima Shrine, the floating torii gate and quieter island sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Dutch and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteJP¥ 500

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Alex

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English fluently and adjusts the pace and stops throughout the day based on your energy and interests, which makes this tour work well for travelers who want meaningful context without feeling hurried or locked into a fixed schedule. If you prefer a set itinerary and a larger group, a standard group tour would suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Japanese and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What is the A-Bomb Dome and why is it the center of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park?

The A-Bomb Dome is the skeletal remains of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the building closest to the hypocenter that still stands. It sits at the heart of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as a physical reminder of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, and the guide provides historical context and local perspectives on what happened and how the city rebuilt.

Can I visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on my own, or does the guide take me through it?

You choose. The guide can walk through the museum with you, or you can explore it independently at your own pace while the guide waits. The approach depends on your interests and how much time you want to spend inside.

How long does it take to get from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island?

Travel time from Hiroshima to Miyajima takes around one hour each way, including the ferry ride. You travel by local train and ferry, and the guide accompanies you for the full journey.

What happens if the tide is low when we arrive at Miyajima? Will I still see the floating torii gate?

The guide adjusts the day's timing based on the tide. If the tide will be low during your planned Miyajima time, the day may start on the island to catch the torii gate at high tide, then return to Hiroshima afterward. The guide plans this in advance based on conditions.

Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options for the okonomiyaki lunch?

Yes. Lunch features local Hiroshima okonomiyaki, and vegetarian and gluten-free versions are available. Let the guide know your dietary needs when you book.