The Ultimate in Luxury: Hiroshima by Car
The same day out as the G.O.A.T. — the same history, the same stories, the same jokes — except a private car and driver are with us the whole way. We drive out to the ferry, cross to Miyajima, and drive back into the city, and the car is waiting at every stop.
Let me be straight about the walking: there is some. Itsukushima Shrine and Peace Park have to be seen on foot and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. What the car takes away is everything in between — the train changes, the hills, the standing around, the twenty minutes in the sun between one thing and the next. If a Hiroshima August has been putting you off, or if eight hours on your feet simply isn't happening, this is the version of the day that works.
Pick-up and drop-off wherever suits you — your hotel, the station, the cruise terminal. Rain or shine, we travel in air conditioning.
Getting there 出発
We start wherever you are and drive out to the terminal, then take the ferry across — fifteen minutes, and the best view of the Ōtorii you will get all day. No timetables to work out and no changes to make.
On the island 宮島
Itsukushima Shrine. The Ōtorii — the big gate. Snacks, pictures, souvenirs, and the deer, who have no manners at all. This part is on foot, at whatever pace you want to set.
In the city 広島
Peace Park, the Peace Museum, the Atomic Bomb Dome. Lunch if you're hungry. The car brings us back in and takes you home at the end, so nothing has to be carried any further than you want to carry it.
Getting you there and getting you in is all included — the car with driver, fuel and parking, the ferry, and every entrance fee, the Peace Museum and Itsukushima Shrine among them. Food, drink and souvenirs are your own; lunch is the one thing you'll reach for your wallet for.
The G.O.A.T. — Greatest of All Tours
You found it! This is THE ONE — a full day covering Hiroshima and Miyajima, led by the OKest of all tour guides in Hiroshima. You're going to see everything. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the snacks, the history, the ups and downs. It will be an emotional roller coaster ride of a day — and you only have to be THIS tall to ride.
We'll take at least two boat rides together, see some extraordinary wildlife, share a meal, and have a grand adventure in my favorite city. Along the way we'll talk history, politics (the war and the use of nuclear weapons included — I don't dodge the hard questions), religion, economics, and whatever else comes to mind as we spend the day together.
Really, the only downside of this tour is that you'll spend the entire day with me. All things considered, that's a win-win, because I'm a lot of fun to hang around with and I know A LOT of great jokes.
Getting there 出発
We meet up, and the tides decide the rest. At high tide there's a jet boat — the fastest way to the island, 45 minutes, ¥2,500 per person one way. Otherwise we take the train (55 minutes, ¥250 per person) and then the ferry (15 minutes, ¥350 per person round trip). Fares are not included in the tour price.
On the island 宮島
Itsukushima Shrine. The Ōtorii — the big gate. Snacks. Pictures. Souvenirs. Lunch, if you're in the mood. Deer.
In the city 広島
Peace Park. The Peace Museum. The Atomic Bomb Dome. Lunch, if you're in the mood. History — including the pre-war Hiroshima most tours skip.
Get ready for an action-packed day in the City of Peace and on Shrine Island!
Itsukushima & Miyajima: The Shrine Island
I've had guests tell me, upon walking around on Itsukushima: "NOW I feel like I'm in Japan!" You can feel the history here. The sights and smells are everywhere — the oysters are being grilled, the stuffed maple cakes are being baked (and then deep fried!), the fish cakes are being broiled, the eel is being grilled, and don't even get me started on all the lemonade (both with alcohol and without). And it's ALL FOR YOU!
That's just the walk up to the UNESCO World Heritage site — one of the top three most photographed places in all of Japan. Well, you do have some competition: the island's indigenous deer population might try to pilfer your tasty treats. But that's why you have a professional tour guide to save you! No matter the season, Itsukushima is vibrant with color and teeming with life.
- Meet at Hiroshima Station — 2nd floor, south entrance, just outside the information office. (We're taking the train to catch the ferry.)
- Train to Miyajimaguchi. Fair warning: this tour involves walking… lots of walking.
- Ferry to Miyajima.
- Have grand adventure.
- See the Ōtorii — the big gate. Depending on the tide schedule, we may be able to walk out to it (keep in mind it will be muddy).
- See Itsukushima Shrine.
- Eat sooooo many snacks.
- See some deer.
- Ferry back to Miyajimaguchi.
- Your choice of trains: onward to Peace Park, or back to Hiroshima Station.
Peace Park & Surrounds
I. LOVE. HIROSHIMA!! I fell in love with this city when I came here for work in the summer of 2001 — living about 70 km away, visiting maybe twice a month, speaking almost no Japanese and reading even less. I met my wife here. I've raised two children here. I consider this my home now, and I love to show people around my home.
I love explaining the history and the culture — not just the reason everyone in the world knows the name of our city, but our lemons, our shellfish, our industry, our baseball and soccer teams. We will definitely discuss some sad and disturbing topics on this tour, but we will also discover the true spirit of Hiroshima and the Japanese people. You will come out of this with a greater understanding of why Hiroshima is known as a city of peace — and why we say: No more Hiroshimas!
- Meet up — anywhere in the city, whether you're arriving by boat, submarine, spacecraft, time portal, or interdimensional shuttle. I can also meet you at your lodging, and we can have a chat as we walk. This tour is entirely on foot.
- Shiro Kami Shrine — if you have a goshuinchō (shrine stamp book), we can get it signed here for ¥500.
- First Japan National Bank building — a building that survived the blast and is still in use to this day. (We'll likely also pass the Andersen building, another survivor.)
- Peace Park — lots to see here… I'm going to talk your ears off.
- Atomic Bomb Dome — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Hypocenter Monument — the center of the blast.
- Rest House basement — the story of Eizō Nomura, a survivor.
- Peace Museum — we part ways here, and you explore the museum at your own pace.
Twenty years in, still curious
Retired US Marine. English teacher here since 2010, private tour guide since 2022. I've studied Japanese history extensively — including Hiroshima's pre-war history, the part of the story most tours skip.
I've been married to the same great lady since 2003. We have two grown daughters, both bilingual and educated in Japan. This isn't a city I visit; it's where my family lives.
The honest fine print
- I'm mostly deaf in my left ear — the hearing aid helps. Stand on my right and we'll get along famously.
- I have an ambulatory disability, so I walk slowly. Consider it a feature: Hiroshima rewards the unhurried, and you'll never be rushed past something worth seeing.
- Included — your private guide, all eight hours. That's me.
- Not included — transportation fares, food, drinks, snacks, and entry tickets (Itsukushima Shrine, Peace Museum).
- Meeting point — anywhere in Hiroshima city, or on Miyajima if you're staying there. Your hotel works fine; just tell me where when you book.
- Booking — email me or message me on WhatsApp or Instagram with your dates and what you'd like to see. I'll reply with a plan.
- Availability — no tours on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
- Language — tours are in English.
Booking & refunds
- Booking more than 30 days ahead — reserve with a 20% deposit, refundable (less a small processing fee) if you cancel more than two weeks before your tour.
- Booking within 30 days — full payment at the time of booking.
- Cancelling two weeks or less before the tour — refunds are handled case by case.
- * Currency — the tour price is charged in US dollars. Every other figure on this page, including the converted prices, is an estimate and will move with the market.