City Essentials: First Day • 4 hours 5.0 (16)

Kickstart Hiroshima

Begin your Hiroshima adventure with a local expert! Get a crash course in Hiroshima’s history, and learn to get around the vibrant city it is today.

The easiest and most convenient way to travel to Miyajima is the direct ferry from Peace Memorial Park

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Set yourself up for a successful trip by learning how to navigate Hiroshima like a local
  • See some of central Hiroshima’s most iconic attractions (and a couple reserved for in-the-know locals)
  • Experience Hiroshima’s beautiful nature, bustling city, and devastating history in just three hours
  • Visit the museum at Hiroshima Castle, and shop for souvenirs at Orizuru Tower
  • Have a helpful host to share tips and recommendations for the rest of your trip (and answer any questions you might have)

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

4 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience
3 hours with a Host
Walking experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

In front of The SOUVENIR SELECT HitotoKi located in Hiroshima Orizuru Tower ground level.

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

The name Hiroshima will forever evoke images of devastating events, but the city is so much more than its museums and memorials. To get a full picture of the friendly, vibrant Hiroshima of today is to see it through the eyes of someone who lives here – so who better give you a crash course in navigating all its sides than a local host? Jostle through Hondori shopping arcade, a small slice of big city life, with trendy coffee shops and crowded stores, and take a serene stroll through 400-year-old Shukkei-en garden, a survivor of the atomic bomb. Hiroshima Castle is a trove of treasures once belonging to samurai lords, while the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome are must-sees to fully comprehend Hiroshima’s strength and resilience.

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

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What travelers think of this experience

Elisabeth Apr 2025

Absolutely 5 stars! Ken was an exceptional guide for our walking tour through Hiroshima. He was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the city’s history, but what really stood out was his patience and kindness with our children—he made sure they felt included and engaged the entire time. He tailored the pace to suit our family and answered all our questions with warmth and insight. To top it off, he brought us to a local restaurant that served one of the most delicious meals we had on our trip. A memorable and meaningful experience—we couldn’t recommend Ken more highly!

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Ashleigh Apr 2025

We only had booked Ken for a short two hour experience as that was all that we had allocated, however we could have done a whole day! Ken was funny and brought his own personal narrative when discussing the events of Hiroshima. We would highly recommend!

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Brook Apr 2025
Kate Apr 2025

Ken is a fantastic guide. We had a special request to visit Kure since we had family that lived here many years ago. We had a wonderful afternoon and visited several important sites. Ken shared history and background for us. Then back to Hiroshima for a special lunch! We highly recommend Ken for a guide. He is very knowledgeable and knows how to make the most of your time.

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Jens Mar 2025

A really personal welcome by Ken our guide who shared a lot of insights with us. he speaks great English, easy to understand and shares a lot of insights also from his personal family history in Hiroshima. he shared a lot of information about the A-bomb diem, the peace memorial and the Japanese garden. Next to the historical sights the restaurant Okamoto's has been a real highlight.

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Natalia Dec 2024

She was very kind and she explained everything so well! She took us also to the museum! The only word to describe her and the visit to Hiroshima is “great”!

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