Free Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
Free Cancellation
July 16100% refund
July 17No refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Sendai / Matsushima Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
2 Adults x $194.73
$389.46
Approx Total
$389.46
Pickup included
Inclusions / Exclusions
Mobile ticket
Offered in: Japanese, English
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Sendai
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private transportation
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Overview
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Sendai and Matsushima!
Sendai is a city that sits at the doorstep of the nation’s more wild side. It’s a day trip from secluded mountain retreats, rugged coastlines, and remote islands. At the same time, it’s one of Japan’s most modern and sophisticated cities with a culinary scene that will challenge and surprise.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hours tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
ANA Holiday Inn Sendai, an IHG hotel1-4-1 Shintera, , Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, JP, 984-0051
APA Hotel Sendai Eki Itsutsubashi3-1-1 Itsutsubashi, Wakabayashi-ku, , Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, JP, 984-0022
APA Hotel Sendai Kotodaikoen4-10 Futsukamachi, Aoba-ku, , Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, JP, 980-0802
APA Hotel TKP Sendai Ekikita201-1 Nakakecho, Miyagino-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, JP, 983-0864
Cruise port pick-up is not available. This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on ...
hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7. Read more ▼
Itinerary
Zuihoden
Zuihoden is also known as the Mausoleum of Date Masamune who was the first lord of the Sendai Domain.
He was also known for being a great architect and is known for having designed this building during the Momoyama Period.
Zuihoden is a riot of gorgeous wood carvings and panels as well as some pretty art work and you can also go for a walk around the grounds.
The paths are shaded by beautiful cedar trees which are also mean to be a symbol of the longevity of the Date family.
1 minute
Sendai Castle Guidance House
The Sendai Castle Ruins were the inspiration for a famous Japanese poem called ‘The moon over the desolate castle’ and this tells you all you need to know about their condition now.
The ruins also do include a model of the original gate to give you a feel of how Sendai Castle would have looked in the days of old.
There is also a small museum here that takes you through the history of the castle although don’t expect anything too grand as Sendai is not one of the cities in Japan that is best known for a complete or particularly impressive castle.
If that is what you are looking for then there are plenty of other options in other cities.
1 minute
SS30
If you want to get the best views in Sendai then you need to head to SS 30 Observation Lounge.
This building is actually an office block so there is not much to check out here except for two observation decks on the 29th and 30th floors.
These are free to visit and give you panoramic vistas across all of Sendai so try to come in the morning or the late afternoon when you will get the best photo opportunities from the decks.
1 minute
Chiteinomori Mueum
The Museum of the Forest of Depths of the Earth is dedicated to telling you the story of the stone age in Japan.
On a visit here you can find out all how the Saki Stone Age would have looked in the days of old and learn more about the excavation of the Tomizawa Ruins.
The museum has a huge number of galleries and if you want to know more about the 20,000 year Saki Stone Age then this is the best place to come.
1 minute
Kirin Beer Sendai Factory
Discover Kirin's special production methods and the secret of the delicious taste. You woll discover how to enjoy the KIRIN ICHIBAN brewery tour.
*You need to make a reservation in advance, please ask your guide to book a tour.
1 minute
Matsushima Bay
Located half an hour outside of Sendai, Matsushima (松島) is famous for its bay, which is dotted by many pine clad islets and has been ranked one of Japan's three most scenic views for centuries. The small town is also known for Zuiganji, one of the Tohoku Region's most important Zen temples.
Matsushima was hit by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, but escaped major damage thanks to its protected location inside the island dotted bay. Most tourist attractions, shops and hotels reopened within a few weeks or months of the earthquake.
1 minute
Zuiganji
Zuiganji (瑞巌寺) is one of the Tohoku Region's most famous and prominent Zen temples, and is well known for its beautifully gilded and painted sliding doors (fusuma). Zuiganji was originally founded in 828 as a temple of the Tendai sect, and was converted into a Zen temple during the Kamakura Period (1192-1333). After years of decline, Zuiganji was restored to prominence by the feudal lord Date Masamune who rebuilt it as his family temple in 1609.
1 minute
Fukuurajima
Fukuura Island (福浦島, Fukuurajima) is one of the few pine covered islands in Matsushima Bay that is accessible to the public. The island is reached via a 252 meter long, red painted bridge that costs 200 yen (round trip) to cross. The bridge was damaged by the tsunami of March 11, 2011 and had to undergo repair works.
1 minute
Entsu-in Temple
Entsuin Temple (円通院, Entsūin) was built in 1647 next to Matsushima's most important temple, Zuiganji Temple, to house the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune, the son of the ruling local feudal lord Date Terumune. The temple was built in mourning and is devoted to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, as Mitsumune died an untimely death at the age of 19.
1 minute
Kanrantei
Kanrantei (観瀾亭) is a Momoyama-style tea house originally built in Kyoto by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who gave it to Date Masamune for his service. Date's son eventually moved it to its current location overlooking Matsushima Bay. Kanrantei means "place to view ripples on water", due to its beautiful view over the water and surrounding islands.
1 minute
Godaido
Godaido (五大堂, Godaidō) is a small temple hall on an islet just next to the pier. Due to its prominent location, it has become a symbol of Matsushima. Godaido was built in 807 and contains five statues which were enshrined by the same priest who founded nearby Zuiganji. The statues are displayed to the public only once every 33 years, and were last displayed in 2006.
1 minute
Oshima - Matsushima
Oshima
Oshima (雄島) is a small, pine tree-covered island close to the pier of Matsushima. The island can be accessed over a short bridge free of charge and offers some pleasant, short walks. There are multiple small shrines and viewpoints dotted about the island.
Oshima used to be a retreat for monks, and decorated meditation caves can still be found on the island. The bridge to Oshima was destroyed in the 2011 tsunami, but was rebuilt and reopened two years later.
1 minute
Sendai City Museum
Sendai City Museum was built in the Sannomaru enclosure on the site of the remains of Sendai castle for the purpose of preserving, exhibiting, and studying a set of materials (cultural assets) donated by the Date family of Sendai (One of the samurai families that has continued since the Kamakura Era.) .
The museum houses a collection of documents from the Keicho mission to Europe—a national treasure that includes a portrait of Hasekura Tsunenaga that is also a national treasure as well as a registered UNESCO Memory of the World—and historical and artistic collections, mostly from the Edo period, that concern Sendai.
5 minutes
Sample Menu
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Free Cancellation
July 16100% refund
July 17No refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her
Reviews by TravelOne travelers
Showing 1-5 of 5 reviews with 5 stars
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Private Tour with Riko - Superb
Published on Apr, 2025
Riko made our visit to Sendai very memorable. Because we communicated via email many times months prior to our visit, she was able to create a very personalized experience for us. She arranged a car service to pick us up at our cruise ship and bring us to the meeting point. Riko’s enthusiasm and knowledge along with her friendly personality made our day. She had a well thought out itinerary that included history, amazing shrines, water views, parks, a tea room and stunning special cherry blossoms. She introduced us to local food options and showed us local souvenirs. We traveled by train and foot and laughed a lot. Riko was superb. And Japan is stunning.
Wonderful day to Matsushima Island.
Published on Apr, 2025
We hired Ichiro Kusaka, aka Bob, to take us on a half-day tour from our ship that was docked in Sendai port. He communicated before we arrived asking what our interests were, and based on our discussion, chose to take us to Matsushima Island. It was an excellent choice. What a fabulous place, and unlike everywhere else we’ve been, it wasn’t crowded at all. We could have spent two days there easily there was so much to do, but Bob expertly guided us through what he thought we should see in our half-day. We even had time to stop and do a bit of souvenir shopping and grab an ice cream. Bob is very knowledgeable and funny, and was a wonderful companion for the day. He also made sure we got back to our ship on time since they moved our departure time up on us. Thanks Bob!
Wonderful day trip to Matsushima Island
Published on Apr, 2025
We hired Ichiro Kusaka, aka Bob, to take us on a half-day tour from our ship that was docked in Sendai port. He communicated before we arrived asking what our interests were, and based on our discussion, chose to take us to Matsushima Island. It was an excellent choice. What a fabulous place, and unlike everywhere else we’ve been, it wasn’t crowded at all. We could have spent two days there easily there was so much to do, but Bob expertly guided us through what he thought we should see in our half-day. We even had time to stop and do a bit of souvenir shopping and grab an ice cream. Bob is very knowledgeable and funny, and was a wonderful companion for the day. He also made sure we got back to our ship on time since they moved our departure time up on us. Thanks Bob!
Matsushima half-day Temple tour
Published on Mar, 2025
We were kept inform on the whole journey. Very detailed itenary.
Detail travelling time & expected cost throughout the tour.
Very impressed.
Nice day with Riko
Published on Jan, 2025
We loved the mix of traditional temples and modern urban vibes. The food we tried, especially zunda mochi, was amazing. Great tour, Riko was friendly. Unforgettable memories!
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