FAQ

Are your tours private?

Most of our tours are private and are designed exclusively for your group. This allows us to adjust the pace and itinerary according to your interests and travel plans. Please check each tour description for details.

All of our guides are Japanese locals, and most were born and raised in Hiroshima. We are a small, carefully selected team of experienced guides who speak clear English and share deep local knowledge, personal family perspectives, and a genuine connection to Hiroshima. Guide requests are welcome but cannot always be guaranteed. If a particular guide is essential to your booking, please use our Tour Inquiry form before booking.

Yes. Our private tours are flexible, and after booking, you can discuss your interests, pace, and preferences directly with your guide. If you would like a significantly different itinerary or something outside the usual scope of the tour, please use our Tour Inquiry form before booking.

Yes. If both tours are available online, you can book them directly through our website. A 7% discount applies when booking two eligible tours. This is a great option if you would like to experience Hiroshima and Miyajima at a more relaxed pace on separate days.

If your preferred date appears unavailable online, please use our Tour Inquiry form. In some cases, we may be able to arrange another guide, adjust the start time, or suggest an alternative option.

We do not recommend visiting both Hiroshima and Miyajima in only 5–6 hours.

Travel between Hiroshima and Miyajima takes approximately one hour each way, depending on the route and traffic conditions. As a result, trying to include both destinations in a short tour usually means spending a large part of the day in transit and having very limited time at each site.

For a meaningful and relaxed visit to both Hiroshima and Miyajima, we generally recommend at least 7–8 hours.

If you have only 5–6 hours, we recommend focusing on either Hiroshima or Miyajima. In some cases, a shortened itinerary may be possible, but it would include only a few highlights and offer very little flexibility.

We prefer to give our guests enough time to understand and appreciate each place rather than rush through both destinations.

Yes. Our private tours are suitable for families with children and can be adjusted to suit your family’s pace and interests. You can enter the number and ages of children when booking. Please let us know if your child requires any special assistance or accommodations.

The amount of walking depends on the tour and itinerary. Most tours involve moderate walking, but private tours can be adjusted to your pace. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, please let us know when booking so your guide can plan a comfortable route and suitable transportation options.

We will do our best to recommend suitable restaurants for guests with dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other requirements. Please let us know in advance, as options may be limited in some areas.

Yes. Admission fees listed in the tour description are included. Transportation costs, meals, and other personal expenses are not included unless otherwise stated.

Transportation costs are generally not included in the tour price unless otherwise stated. Your guide will help you use the most convenient transportation option based on the itinerary.

We can meet you at Hiroshima Station, your hotel in central Hiroshima, the cruise terminal, or another agreed location. When booking, you can select your preferred meeting point from the available options. If your location is not listed, please enter it in the designated field. For pickups at Itsukaichi Port, an additional fee of ¥2,000 applies and is payable in cash on the day of the tour.

Yes. We welcome guests arriving at Hiroshima Port and Itsukaichi Port. We can adjust the itinerary according to your ship’s arrival and departure times and will plan the tour with a safe return time in mind.

Our tours are mainly offered in English by our local Japanese guides. Other languages may be available through trusted external guides, depending on availability.

  • More than 7 days before the tour: Free cancellation and a full refund.
  • 7 days or less and at least 3 days before the tour: 40% cancellation fee.
  • Less than 3 days and at least 24 hours before the tour: 60% cancellation fee.
  • Less than 24 hours before the tour, on the day of the tour, or no-show: 100% cancellation fee.

Please note that any non-refundable transportation, ticket, activity, or other third-party costs already arranged at your request may also be deducted from the refund.

Tours usually operate in light rain. If severe weather or another safety issue makes the tour unsafe, we will contact you and offer rescheduling or a refund where possible. Any non-refundable transportation, tickets, or other third-party costs already arranged at your request may be deducted from the refund.

Yes. Local Gem Tour Hiroshima also operates as a local land operator. We welcome inquiries from travel agencies, tour operators, schools, companies, and other groups. We can arrange private buses and other transportation, coordinate with local experiences and activities, and create customized itineraries based on your group size, schedule, interests, and needs. Please use our Travel Agency Inquiry form for a customized proposal.