Japan Guide Agency · Hiroshima and Miyajima
A licensed guide meets your group on foot in Hiroshima and spends four hours on Miyajima with only you, planning the route around what you care about. Pick it for families and small groups who want the shrine, Daisho-in and the back streets explained, without a coach or a crowd.
This is the half-day sibling of the full-day private tour: same agency, same National Government Licensed guides, but only Miyajima. The guide emails or messages you a draft route beforehand. Typical stops are Itsukushima Shrine, Omotesando and Daisho-in, with the Momijidani valley, a quiet coffee shop or even a climb up Mt Misen if you ask for it.
Watch the clock: the four hours include the journey. From central Hiroshima the trip to the island takes 45 minutes to over an hour each way by JR or tram plus the ferry, so book a morning start, or meet the guide at Miyajimaguchi pier and keep more of the four hours for the island. One guest who booked a 14:00 start reached the island at 15:30 and felt they'd paid for about 90 minutes of sightseeing. The shrine closes at 18:00 from March to mid-October, 17:30 in late autumn and 17:00 in December.
$113 is per person at the cheapest tier, for a bigger group; two people pay noticeably more each. You also pay the train or tram, the ferry at 200 yen each way, the 100-yen visitor tax in cash, the 300-yen shrine ticket and lunch. For a couple, the 888tour private walk ($102, shrine ticket included) or the MagicalTrip group walk (lunch included) can work out cheaper.
The guide sends a draft itinerary by email or WhatsApp.
At your hotel or a station in Hiroshima, then by JR or tram to Miyajimaguchi.
Cross with the guide and ask where to stand for the best view of the torii.
The corridors, the stage and the torii, with what the signs don't tell you.
The temple stairs, the dark tunnel under the hall, Omotesando and quieter lanes.
Or the Aqua Net boat to the Peace Park, which you book and pay separately (2,400 yen one way).
★★★★★Yuji met us at the ferry terminal and showed us insider tips on where to stand for good viewing as we approached the island. He did a super job of getting us around the to the sights of the island and out of the crowds. A highlight was a private performance on his flute.
★★★★★His communication prior to the tour was timely and excellent. He had a suggested itinerary which we were able to modify to suit our thoughts. [...] Tsukumoto took us to a quiet coffee shop away from the crowds. We visited the dark room under a temple where golden images are displayed and you need to feel your way using the wall.
★★★★★Hiroshi lives on the island and knew all of the back streets and best way to get around. He made our return reservation on the ferry that dropped us off right in the Peace Memorial Park.
★★★★★Even before the trip she communicated via email and WhatsApp so we knew where to meet and had a good idea of our itinerary. [...] She took us up Mount Misen, which was quite a hike but well worth it at the top!
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From $113 per person at the lowest tier, which needs a larger group; couples pay more per head. Add about 1,600 yen per person for JR fares, ferry, visitor tax and shrine entry, plus lunch.
On foot in central Hiroshima, often at your hotel or a station. You can also arrange to meet at Miyajimaguchi or on the island, so the four hours go further.
For the shrine, Daisho-in and Omotesando, yes, if those four hours start near the island. Adding Mt Misen is tight: the hike takes about 80 to 120 minutes one way, and the ropeway still leaves a 30-minute walk to the summit.
No. You pay 100 yen in cash per person, normally at the ferry ticket machine, plus your fares and entries.
Ready to book
Four hours on Miyajima with a private licensed guide who plans the route around your interests.
Miyajima 4-Hour Private Walking TourA private guide meets you on the island: shrine entry paid, four hours of temples, maples and the Shishiiwa viewpoint.★ 4.7 · 4 hours · from $102
Miyajima Half-Day Historical Walking TourSeven guests at most, 5.5 hours on foot: shrine, Daisho-in, Momijidani and lunch included. Only the ferry is extra.★ 4.9 · 5.5 hours · from $105
Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day, Licensed GuideEight hours with your own licensed guide: you choose 3 to 4 sights and the pace. Fares, ferry and entries are extra.★ 4.9 · 8 hours · from $200