Hiroshima Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

“A life-changing day in a quiet mountain village in Hiroshima”

This special tour by far became the gem of my time in Japan.  If you're searching for something deeper than the usual tourist experience, I can't recommend this enough! Naomi invites you into her home, her way of life, and lets you experience the culture of a quiet mountain village with unbelievable kindness, and at a place of breathtaking beauty.  I was greeted at my hotel by Naomi and her daughter, who so kindly drew a welcome card for me - I will cherish this forever! Naomi then drove me to her village in the Hiroshima mountains. We walked around the rice fields, and the neighbouring forest which is nice and cool, dripping with mildew, and scattered with the occasional traditional graveyard. It reminded me of the forests in My Neighbour Totoro! We also checked out the local bridge which has an amazing view of the river and village. During our stroll, we talked about life, family, art, the history of the village, and everything in between as we watched the river steam past, and her children threw pebbles into the water.  But despite all the natural beauty and Ghibli-esque atmosphere of the village, it was the kindness and welcoming nature of Naomi and her family that will stick with me forever the most.  They cooked me the most DELICIOUS tempura lunch with sake, and I had a traditional tea ceremony with them. There was lots of laughing, stories, and being shown how the farming is done - I was almost in tears at how kind they were and the effort they made for me.  All these wonderful moments of nature, calm and human connections have made this the most special trip of my life.  OH, and Naomi is a writer too! Ask her about her awesome publications which feature life stories from the local community - it's incredible!  I couldn't recommend this tour enough, though it didn't really feel like a tour. It felt much more special and profound than that, and I am forever grateful to Naomi and her family for letting me into their world for a while in the mountains!

“An Unforgettable Day in Miyajima with Miyu”

Our day in Miyajima with Miyu was absolutely wonderful and became one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. She was so kind, patient, and attentive from beginning to end, always making sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. Her English is excellent, which made everything easy and enjoyable. Miyu shared fascinating stories and explanations throughout the day, and she made the island feel truly special. One of the best things she did was encourage us to hike up Mount Misen. she inspired us to climb for almost two hours, and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of our entire trip. You should go up this way hearing the noise of the river during the hike!!!.The views from the top were breathtaking, and we are so grateful she encouraged us to do it. She also guided us around the most beautiful parts of Miyajima, including the famous floating torii and peaceful corners of the island that we would never have found on our own. What made the day even more memorable was the food she introduced us to. She made sure we tried the very best local specialties: delicious grilled oysters, fried oysters, and conger eel, which was completely different from unagi and absolutely delicious. Miyu is such a sweet, energetic, and caring person. She made us feel like we were exploring Miyajima with a close friend, and we will always remember this wonderful day with her.

Miyu F.

(39 reviews)

I’m very glad that the rain we were concerned about held off and that we were blessed with good weather, allowing us to fully enjoy the magnificent view from the summit. It was quite a challenging climb, but I’m happy we reached the top safely with smiles. Spending the whole day on Miyajima also allowed us to see the two different faces of the Grand Torii, which made the experience even more special. I truly had a wonderful time as well. I will always remember the two days I spent with you.

“Hiroshima with Miyu: The Guide Who Turned Hiroshima into a Deeply Personal Story”

If you are visiting Hiroshima and want more than just a typical sightseeing tour, you absolutely have to tour with Miyu. From the moment we met her, what stood out was her excellent English—honestly, much better than many guides we have met in Japan. She explained everything clearly, naturally, and with so much warmth that we always felt comfortable asking questions and talking with her. What made the experience truly special was Miyu’s background. She previously worked in a government office helping victims and families affected by the atomic bombing. Because of that, her explanations about Hiroshima were not just historical—they were deeply human, emotional, and personal. Every place we visited felt more meaningful because of the way she connected the history to the people who lived through it. Miyu took us to the Shukkeien Garden that was incredible!! Try to be there in spring everything has flowers!!! Miyu also suggested that we visit Mitaki-dera, a hidden temple outside the usual tourist route, and it became one of the most beautiful surprises of the day. Nestled in the forest, with waterfalls, stone paths, and many budas, it felt peaceful and magical. We would never have found this place on our own, and it ended up being one of our favorite memories from Hiroshima. Miyu was constantly making sure we had the best possible experience. She took us to eat an incredible Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and was always attentive to what we wanted and needed throughout the day. Miyu is truly one of the sweetest and most caring guides we have ever met. Hiroshima became much more than a sightseeing stop because of her, and it was one of the most memorable days of our trip.

Miyu F.

(39 reviews)

Thank you very much for your heartwarming and detailed review. Reading it brought back many memories of the day we spent together. You were my first guests from your country, and yet I truly enjoyed our conversations as if we were old friends. I deeply appreciate how sincerely you engaged with the reality of what happened in Hiroshima and the feelings of the people who have lived through it. It means a great deal to me as a guide. Thank you for a day that will remain deeply in my memory.