Embark the bus in the morning at Hiroshima Station and head towards Hiroshima Castle. Pass by the re-built castle and be inspired by its beauty.  Arrive at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and visit the Atomic Bomb Dome. Explore this world heritage site following a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.  Pass by the former Army Clothing Depot and listen to the background stories coming from the audio guide.  Leaving Hiroshima on a high-speed boat you can marvel at the Seto Inland Sea coastline, Miyajima Port and Miyajima. Depending on the traffic you will have some free time in Miyajima. Enjoy your time and visit Itsukushima Shrine or watch the floating gate. If you are lucky you might be able to walk through it.  Get up close to friendly deer which were considered sacred messengers from the gods.  You will be back at Hiroshima Station in the afternoon around 4:30 PM.

Start your tour by meeting your guide at your hotel. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Begin the tour with a ferry ride to Miyajima Island, which offers great views of the Seto Inland Sea. Once on the island, visit the floating Itsukushima Shrine and the oldest temple in Miyajima, Daisho-in, built by one of Japan’s most famous monks. Cherry blossoms in spring add to the magic of these well-known temple sites. Next, stop for a break at Gallery Miyazato. This local establishment serves up traditional Japanese sweets like the famous Momiji Manju, perfect for a refuel. Momijidani Park and its 200 maple trees await exploring next, and then Mount Misen, the most sacred place in Miyajima.  Next stop is Rekaido, where you can see the home of the eternal flame, said to have been burning for 1200 years. Finally, you’ll head to the most famous Okonomiyaki restaurant in Miyajima, where you can buy lunch or dinner.

Discover Hiroshima and Miyajima Island on a fully customizable private tour. Choose what you would like to experience, what time you would like to start your tour, and the local partner will arrange a tour to suit you. Start your day by meeting your guide at your hotel, then choose to sites you wish to visit depending on your interests. Example 6-hour Itinerary: Meet your guide at your hotel in Hiroshima and first visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. See the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, known today as the Atomic Bomb Dome, which was one of the very few buildings that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Today, the building serves as a memorial to the victims of the bombing, and as a symbol of international peace. Visit the onsite Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and learn more about the bombing. See poignant artifacts from the time of the atomic explosion on display, as well as various educational exhibits. Afterward, take the ferry to Miyajima island. Take a walking tour of the picturesque island and visit Itsukushima Shrine. This shrine is famous for the mysterious floating red torii gate that stands in the middle of the sea.

Hiroshima oysters are known as some of the best oysters in Japan. On this trip local fisherman will take you to an oyster farm and explain how they are grown. If you visit in the right season, you will be amazed to see lots of oysters growing on suspended ropes. After visiting the oyster farm, the boat will head to Itsukushima island, home to the Itsukushima Shine. The shrine is best known for the iconic red floating Torii gate standing in the sea. Admire the scenic view of the floating Torii gate in front of a background of mountains. You will then head back to the dock. If you are in the right season, you will see fishermen getting the oysters ready to be shipped out.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Itsukushima Shrine on a sea kayaking excursion. With its ‘floating’ torii gate, the shrine is one of Japan’s most photographed landmarks. Your friendly guide will explain how to use the equipment. Take some time to practice moving forward and backward, stopping, and turning the kayak by yourself. Next paddle out into the sea. Get up close to the Itsukushima Shrine to admire the site from a unique perspective. You can take photos with the torii gate in the background, before heading back to the beach. Full instruction will be provided, making this activity suitable for complete beginners as well as for those with previous experience of kayaking.