
Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 37 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide worth booking?
Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide is a 5-hour experience in Hiroshima, Japan, from $163 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 37 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (37)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $163 per person
Experience Miyajima beyond the famous floating torii gate on a fully private tour with a Japanese local guide. Visit UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine, peaceful Daisho-in Temple, traditional streets and the island’s natural scenery while discovering why Miyajima has been considered sacred for centuries. As you explore, understand the meaning behind the shrines, temples and traditions you see, including the connection between Shinto, Buddhism and nature in Japan. Your experienced, qualified guide has deep ties to Hiroshima, with most of our guides born and raised in the region. They also have international experience and speak clear, easy-to-understand English, making meaningful conversation and questions easy throughout the tour. Move at your own pace, enjoy local food, spend longer at places that interest you or explore quieter parts of the island. Guests staying in central Hiroshima can meet their guide at their hotel or Hiroshima Station and travel together to Miyajima.
What you get
About this experience
Experience Miyajima beyond the famous floating torii gate on a fully private tour with a Japanese local guide. Visit UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine, peaceful Daisho-in Temple, traditional streets and the island’s natural scenery while discovering why Miyajima has been considered sacred for centuries. As you explore, understand the meaning behind the shrines, temples and traditions you see, including the connection between Shinto, Buddhism and nature in Japan. Your experienced, qualified guide has deep ties to Hiroshima, with most of our guides born and raised in the region. They also have international experience and speak clear, easy-to-understand English, making meaningful conversation and questions easy throughout the tour. Move at your own pace, enjoy local food, spend longer at places that interest you or explore quieter parts of the island. Guests staying in central Hiroshima can meet their guide at their hotel or Hiroshima Station and travel together to Miyajima.
What's included
Included
- Itsukushima shrine admission
- Japanese Local Tour Guide
- Customize in advance
- Pick up on foot
Not included
- Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
- Private transportation
- Meals
- Tips
What you'll see and do
Hiroshima
The tour departs from a hotel or train station in Hiroshima City; the order of the tour can be changed between Miyajima and Peace Park to see the Floating Torii Gate. We use public transportation. Travel time to Miyajima is 1 hour.
60 minutes here
Miyajima
Visit a spiritual island "MIYAJIMA" that has been revered as the gods' island since ancient times. Deer, the messengers of the gods, welcome you!
30 minutes here
Itsukushima Shrine Torii
The Floating Torii gate appears on the sea when the tide is high. At low tide, you can walk by it and be impressed by its size and beauty!
15 minutes here
Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine floats on the sea and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This shrine, also a national treasure, changes its appearance with the ebb and flow of the tide. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the majestic Heian-period Japanese architecture. If you are lucky, you will be witness to a wedding ceremony or a dance dedicated to the gods!
30 minutes here · Admission included
Daishoin Temple
Daisho-in Temple is a unique and rare temple. The oldest temple on Miyajima, it is located in the midst of rich nature and has many attractions. This temple was loved by Shogun Hideyoshi and many other influential people, and is a must-see!
45 minutes here
Senjokaku
Part of the Itsukusima shrine, UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 16th century. Large halls and wall-less spaces are quiet and peaceful. Shogun Hideyoshi order to built.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
Stroll Omotesando shopping street. Lined with food stores and souvenir stores selling Miyajima's specialty products such as oysters, conger eel rice bowl, and momiji manju (steamed buns). Momiji-manju hand-baking workshops are also available.
40 minutes here
Miyajima Port Sambashi Bridge
We will move toward Peace Memorial Park. Basically, we use a ferry, JR, or train. It takes about 1 hour. As an option, you can also take a direct boat (45 minutes) to Peace Memorial Park. Please check your email after booking for details.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ja, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Local Gem Tour Hiroshima
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pick up on foot.
- This is a walking tour. We basically use public transportation.
- Transportation fee is not included, please pay by your own.
- Please do not participate if you have cold symptoms
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 37 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
37 verified traveler reviews for Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Miyajima is definitely worth a visit!
So glad we made a trip to Miyajima Island. We had a great experience with Masa as our guide. This was our second tour with her, having visited the Peace Memorial Park the previous day. She speaks excellent English and shared real stories about her family and the history of Hiroshima. On Miyajima Island, we moved at a good pace as she knew exactly where to take us to avoid the crowd, and showed us the perfect photo spots. She shared many details about the temples and shrines which we would have missed without her showing us. And she also takes great photos! We totally enjoyed the two days with Masa and would 100% recommend her!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for such a lovely review, and for spending two days with me! Miyajima has so many quiet corners beyond the famous torii gate, and I loved being able to show you around at an easy pace. We were even lucky enough to catch the island’s autumn festival and join in the mochi-making together — that’s not something every visitor gets to experience! Sharing that, along with stories about my family and Hiroshima’s history, made these two days even more meaningful to me. Thank you again for such a wonderful time — I enjoyed it just as much as you did, and I hope our paths cross again someday.
via Viator
Beautiful Miyajima
Yuka is a great guide. We very much enjoyed our visit to Miyajima. We covered the island and its beautiful sites. Yuka was very flexible and helped us see the maximum number of sites. She’s very knowledgeable and personable. We had a great time and learned a lot.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in Miyajima. I really enjoyed spending the day with you, and I hope the beautiful view from the ropeway will also be a wonderful memory of your visit. Thank you again for choosing our tour, and I hope you have many more wonderful experiences in Japan!
via Tripadvisor
Best Guided Tour of Miyajima
I had an excellent tour today (15/09/26) of Miyajima Island with Masayo. I learnt so much more and saw so much more than I would have on my own. Masayo is so knowledgeable and is a natural teacher. She is also very considerate, warm, happy and caring. It was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with her. Masayo was also very helpful prior to the tour with working out a 3 day itinerary for me. I am very grateful to Local Gem Tours Hiroshima and Masayo for their help in giving me a perfect 3 day stay in Hiroshima.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for such a heartfelt review! It truly means a lot to me. I’m so happy that I could help you plan your three days in Hiroshima, and then spend such a wonderful day together exploring Miyajima. I really enjoyed our conversations and the relaxed pace of the day — it felt like spending time with a lovely friend rather than simply giving a tour. Thank you for choosing Local Gem Tour Hiroshima and, most of all, for your warmth and kindness. It was an absolute pleasure for me too, and I’m so glad Hiroshima and Miyajima became such special memories of your journey!
via Tripadvisor
Highlight of our trip
Our tour of Miyajima with Masa was the highlight of our trip to Japan! Masa was extremely knowledgeable and personable. We learned so much from our tour and truly enjoyed our day. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m truly happy to hear that our private Miyajima tour was a highlight of your trip. It was such a pleasure spending the day with you and sharing not only Miyajima’s history and beautiful sights, but also the local stories and culture that make the island so special. I really enjoyed our time and talk together too! Thank you for choosing Local Gem Tour Hiroshima and for your kind recommendation. I hope the memories of Miyajima stay with you for many years!
via Tripadvisor
Warm guide who knows her job and how to make the experience the most for her group.
Yuka made this trip seamless for us. Her knowledge was great, she catered to our interests and pace with our three children (aged 5-13). She was warm, friendly and clearly loves her job. She knew the ways to avoid the over crowding , maximise routes to see more whisky walking less, and all the hidden little jewels. We all loved our day with her. Highly Recommended guide whether solo, couple or family.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Your children made the day even more enjoyable for me! Your kind words really mean a lot to me. I hope everyone loves using their special name-engraved chopsticks from Miyajima. I wish your family many more wonderful adventures ahead.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $163 to $48,000
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Local Gem Tour Hiroshima, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 76.3.
See everything Local Gem Tour Hiroshima runsWhy this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hiroshima.
How much does Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide cost?
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Prices start at $163 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Hiroshima usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Hiroshima is not rushed.
Is Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 37 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Hiroshima, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide?
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Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Hiroshima can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Hiroshima and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Hiroshima within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Hiroshima?
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On Outty we rank every Hiroshima experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Peaceful Hiroshima & Miyajima UNESCO 1 Day Bus Tour, Hiroshima Peace (Heiwa) Walking Tour at World Heritage Sites, Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip with Itsukushima Shrine & Ferry. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Hiroshima?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Hiroshima?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide?
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Included: Itsukushima shrine admission; Japanese Local Tour Guide; Customize in advance; and Pick up on foot. Not included: Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.); Private transportation; Meals; and Tips. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 17 listed pickup locations in and around Hiroshima. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide offered in?
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It is offered in Japanese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Private Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine, Island Nature & Local Guide?
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Across 37 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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