Hiroshima & Miyajima: Private Full-Day Tour with a Local Guide
Description
A private full-day tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima, guided by a local with over 20 years of experience in the city. This 8-hour tour offers a clear introduction to Hiroshima’s history and peace message, followed by time on Miyajima Island at a relaxed, flexible pace. We begin at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, where I share historical background and local perspectives on the city’s past and recovery. After a lunch break featuring local Hiroshima cuisine such as okonomiyaki, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available, we travel to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine, the iconic “floating” torii gate, and quieter parts of the island. The itinerary is not fixed. Timing, order, and pace are adjusted based on your interests, energy level, weather, and the tide. Depending on conditions, we may begin the day on Miyajima to see the torii gate at high tide. This tour is ideal for travelers who want a meaningful, well-paced day without feeling rushed.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Guided walk through the park, including the A-Bomb Dome and surrounding memorials, with historical context and local perspectives.
Visit the museum together or independently, depending on your interests and pace.
Travel by local train and ferry, or other suitable transport depending on the day.
Lunch featuring local Hiroshima cuisine such as okonomiyaki (vegetarian and gluten-free options available).
Explore the shrine, the iconic “floating” torii gate, and nearby island streets.
Quiet walks, a café stop, Daishoin Temple, or time to enjoy the island atmosphere. Note: Depending on the tide, we may start the day on Miyajima to see the torii gate at high tide.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
To ensure a smooth start to your full-day walking tour, I will contact you in advance to confirm the exact meeting time and location. On the day: Please arrive at the meeting point 5–10 minutes early Wear comfortable shoes and bring water Depending on the weather, a hat, sunscreen, or small umbrella may be useful I’m looking forward to showing you around.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travel time Hiroshima - Miyajima takes around one hour each way including ferry ride
Reviews(81)
We had a very nice, educational, intensive day. On Miyajima Alex managed to guide us past the large groups of tourists and stand still in quiet beautiful photo spots. In the Peace memorial park he has led us through many places that you would otherwise overlook or not step inside. It was precisely the story that made it interesting for our teenagers.
We just finished our private tour of Miyajima and Hiroshima with Alex, and it was by far the best tour we have taken during our time in Japan. Alex was incredibly intentional with every part of the day. Nothing felt rushed, generic, or like he was simply moving us from one stop to the next. He clearly cared about making the experience meaningful for us. I learned so much about Hiroshima, but more importantly, Alex helped us understand the human side of its history in a way that was thoughtful, respectful, and deeply moving. Miyajima was beautiful, and the entire day was balanced perfectly between history, culture, reflection, and enjoying the experience together. Alex was also fantastic with the 12-year-old in our group. He kept her engaged, included her in the conversation, and made sure the tour was meaningful and enjoyable for everyone, not just the adults. This was much more than a sightseeing tour. It was one of the most memorable and meaningful days of our entire trip. Alex is an exceptional guide, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Thank you for such a wonderful review. It was a lot of fun spending the day with the three of you. Looking back, I think we made some great choices that day. Visiting Daishoin early, before it filled with people, gave the temple such a peaceful atmosphere. The boat ride back across the bay is still one of my favourite ways to return to Hiroshima, and I'm glad we had time to enjoy a relaxed lunch together as well. I especially appreciated how interested you were in Hiroshima's story. Those conversations are what make each tour different, and they stay with me long after the day is over. And I'm really happy to hear Chloe enjoyed herself too. She asked some great questions and was a joy to have along. Thank you again, and I hope Japan has left you with many more great memories.
We did this one day Hiroshima and Miyajima private tour with Alex Hirotours. We had one of the best tour experience in Japan. Alex knowledge is undoubtedly very comprehensive also heightening the human element of this event. If you want a true and meaningful experience in Hiroshima this is the tour for you. Highly recommend and thank you Alex for this great experience
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. One of the things I'll remember most is our conversations throughout the day, especially hearing about your family's connection with Japan across three generations. And hearing how your father was moved by the photographs in the Peace Museum made a real impression on me. Moments like that remind me why Hiroshima's story continues to matter. Thank you for your genuine interest, and for sharing the day with me. Please take good care, and I hope our paths cross again someday.
We had an amazing day with Alex. He was so friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable, making us feel welcome from the very start. He shared the history of Hiroshima with great care and helped us discover the beauty of Miyajima at a relaxed pace. It felt like spending the day with a local friend rather than being on a tour. Thank you, Alex, for making our visit so memorable. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We were lucky with the timing—the rain waited until after our tour, and Miyajima looked beautiful with the deer wandering around the torii gate. Those are the little moments that make the island so special. Thanks again for spending the day with me, and I wish you all the best!
A super enthusiastic guide who spent a whole day passionately telling us about the sights. The chosen lunch spot was also top notch. Learned a lot about the region. Definitely worth it!
Hartelijk dank dat jullie de tijd hebben genomen om jullie ervaring te delen. Dat waardeer ik enorm! Het was zeker een warme zomerdag, maar ik ben blij dat jullie ondanks de hitte zo hebben genoten van Hiroshima en meer hebben kunnen leren over de geschiedenis van de stad. Leuk om te horen dat de Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki ook in de smaak viel. Het is een van mijn favoriete lunchplekjes, niet alleen vanwege het heerlijke eten, maar ook door het mooie uitzicht. Nogmaals bedankt voor jullie mooie woorden. Ik hoop dat jullie met veel fijne herinneringen aan Hiroshima en Japan terugkijken op deze reis!
We had the perfect day in Hiroshima with our guide Alex. We started off at Miyajima. Despite the hundreds of tourists pouring into the island every hour, Alex knows all the hidden treasures, and we were often the only tourists as we visited beautiful hidden passages between the main attractions. We enjoyed an amazing okonomiyaki lunch together, which Alex kindly ensured met our dietary standards. From there we progressed to the Peace Memorial, including visiting a hidden gem of a museum that was among the highlights of our time in Japan. Alex's professionalism and expertise was apparent throughout the entire tour, and we strongly recommend him as a guide for anyone visiting Hiroshima.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a great review. I really appreciate it. I enjoyed showing the both of you some of the quieter corners of Miyajima. Especially on busy days, it's nice to step away from the crowds and experience a different side of the island. I'm glad you appreciated that too. I'm also happy you enjoyed the okonomiyaki restaurant. The food, the setting, and the vegetarian options make it one of my favorite lunch spots. Thanks again for your kindness and for the thoughtful gifts. Wishing the both of you all the best back home, and I hope our paths cross again one day!
We spent the day with Alexander Kranenburg. He was knowledgeable, friendly and helped us manage the heat in July. Hiroshima is an emotional and definitely worth visiting. We would highly recommend a tour either him.
Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure spending the day with you all. Yes, it was certainly a hot one, but I'm glad we still managed to see so much—from Miyajima and its beautiful shrine and temple to the Peace Memorial Park. I was also happy to see everyone enjoyed the okonomiyaki! Thank you for the great conversations throughout the day, and I wish you all the best. Alex
This was great experience for us. Historic places you learn a lot when you are guided by your guide. Alex was great local guide who was right on time at the hotel. His knowledge was great about Hiroshima and also about the world. This was great activity for me and for my family since we wanted to visit Hiroshima and no doubt Alex made it even more pleasant visit for us with his knowledge and easy going manners.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a real pleasure spending the day with you and your family. I'm glad we started at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum before heading to Miyajima—it worked out really well, and I'm happy we found a lunch spot that everyone enjoyed before visiting the shrine. Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them, and I hope you've all settled back home with many great memories of Japan. All the best to you and your family! Alex
“Alex was an amazing tour guide in Hiroshima! He was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the city’s history. He made the tour engaging, informative, and unforgettable. We learned so much and truly enjoyed every minute. We highly recommend Alex to anyone visiting Hiroshima. Thank you for a fantastic experience!”
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was good fun spending the day with you. I really enjoyed exploring Miyajima together, taking a relaxing coffee break, and later visiting the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Your genuine interest in Hiroshima's history and all your thoughtful questions made the day even more enjoyable for me as well. Thank you again for your kind words and recommendation. It really means a lot. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Japan. Alex
Alex was an amazing tour guide in Hiroshima! He was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the city’s history. He made the tour engaging, informative, and unforgettable. We learned so much and truly enjoyed every minute. We highly recommend Alex to anyone visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima. Thank you for a fantastic experience!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was great spending the day with your family. I really enjoyed exploring Miyajima with you, taking a relaxing coffee break, and later walking through the Peace Memorial Park before finishing at the museum. I especially enjoyed all the thoughtful questions and conversations throughout the day. It was a long day, but definitely one well spent! Thank you again for your kind words and recommendation. Wishing the three of you a wonderful rest of your time in Japan and a safe journey home!
