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Offered languages
- English
Trace the timeline from Japan’s wartime past to Hiroshima’s devastation, and uncover why this city became the site of the world’s first atomic bombing.
This private car tour for up to three guests takes you to the Yamato Museum in Kure, a historic city that served as a major base of the former Imperial Navy. At the museum, you will see how Japan moved toward war and how ordinary people were drawn into it, through engineering, industry, and personal stories. The 1/10 scale Yamato, the largest battleship ever built, and the authentic Zero fighter make this history feel real.
For lunch, enjoy either the famous JMSDF curry or Hiroshima’s beloved okonomiyaki.
Afterward, we see the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome and then visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to learn the reality of the atomic bombing.
Your Guide
I am a U.S. university graduate and a Hiroshima‑licensed guide who has led more than 200 tours. I will drive and guide you throughout the day. I look forward to seeing you soon.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meeting Time:
Your preferred meeting time
Meeting Place:
Your hotel in Hiroshima City
Please enter the hotel name if it’s not listed, as I can pick you up from any hotel.
Ideal sea excursion for cruise passengers docking at Ujina Cruise Port — a perfect location to access Kure City and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Pickup from Itsukaichi Port is not available due to the long distance to Kure.
Pickup type : car
This tour uses my Mazda Flair Wagon, which is a Japanese “Kei car.” A “Kei car” is a uniquely Japanese type of compact vehicle. The word “Kei” comes from the Japanese term keijidōsha (軽自動車), and does not refer to the English letter “K.”
These cars are designed specifically for Japan’s roads and regulations, so you will hardly see them outside the country. They have become increasingly popular in Japan in recent years because of their efficiency, convenience, and the comfortable interior space they offer.
Itinerary
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1Hiroshima
*Pick‑up: Your preferred location within Hiroshima City. From there, we will drive for approximately 40 minutes to Kure City *Ideal sea excursion for cruise passengers docking at Ujina Cruise Port — a perfect location to access Kure City and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Pickup from Itsukaichi Port is not available due to the long distance from Kure.
50 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Yamato Museum
Visit the Yamato Museum, where you can learn about the history of Kure, Japan’s former naval base, and see the impressive 1/10 scale model of the battleship Yamato along with many historical exhibits.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3
JMSDF Kure Museum (Submarine Museum) Explore the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force Museum, famous for the retired submarine Akishio displayed outside. You can enter the submarine and see its interior up close, gaining a rare look inside a real vessel that once served in the JMSDF.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Enjoy lunch with your choice of the JMSDF Curry—famous for its tradition of being served every Friday in Japan’s Maritime Self‑Defense Force—or Hiroshima’s signature okonomiyaki, a round, savory pancake layered with noodles, cabbage, and other fresh ingredients cooked on a hot griddle. Depending on the tour’s starting time, lunch options can be adjusted.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Arei‑karasukojima is a waterfront promenade in Kure where you can see real submarines of the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force up close. It is one of the best places in Japan to view active submarines, and you can also often see JMSDF escort ships and other vessels. The area offers excellent photo opportunities with a clear view of the berthing facilities right in front of you.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Hiroshima (Pass by)
Return to Hiroshima City
Admission ticket free -
6Hypocenter monument
We will visit the hypocenter of the atomic bombing, the exact spot beneath the 1945 explosion.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Atomic Bomb Dome
See the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that survived near the hypocenter of the 1945 atomic bombing. It remains preserved as a powerful reminder of the tragedy and the importance of peace.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Children's Peace Monument
We will walk through Peace Memorial Park and visit several important monuments, such as the Children’s Peace Monument, while I explain the history and meaning behind each memorial.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Finally, we enter the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. By this point in the tour, you have already learned how Japan was heading toward defeat and found itself in a desperate situation with no way forward. Here, you will see the profound human suffering that followed. The museum presents the stories and history of the atomic bombing through powerful exhibits and artifacts. It’s a time to reflect on what lessons humanity can take from this history.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
10Hiroshima
Tour Ends The tour will end when I take you to your preferred location in Hiroshima City.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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