Private Tour
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
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 six-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.
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Sendai
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 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.
Select a pickup point
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.
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.
Pickup included
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Christy B,
Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Riko was a terrific tour guide. Communicated quickly and well to arrange the tour and very pleasant, helpful, and informative as our companion for the day. Highly recommend.
Anat S,
Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
Thank you very much Mikiko for a fun and interesting day. We got to see special nature and hidden, one-of-a-kind places.
Steven F,
May 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
Yumi is an excellent guide. She took us around the the Matsushima area and we were able to visit most of the locations on our itinerary in 6 hours. She is very knowledgeable and thoroughly explained the history of Matsushima. We had a great time
155christopherh,
Feb 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
My guide Riko san after knowing that I am very interested in Date Masamune related places, she planned an amazing day tour at Matsushima. I got to see the Michinoku Date Masamune History Museum where the life of Date Masamune is being shown scene by scene, and Riko san also took me to the Zuiganji, for which is the Date family temple and it has a lot of Date Masamune related treasure. With Riko san detailed explanation, as a big fan of Japan Sengoku period, I had the best day trip!




Scenic33296385055,
Dec 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
As a guide, he is very knowledgeable, flexible and went above and beyond to accommodate what I want to see. Meticulously planned and efficiently executed. As a person he is very kind hearted, soft and polite. Very pleasant. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to see Sendai and Matsushima .
Louis C,
Oct 23, 2024
- Review from Viator
Riko gave a wonderful tour of Matsushima and surrounding areas. The tour was perfectly paced and very enjoyable. We toured the shrines around Matsushima bay, the beautiful islands and bridges, ate wonderful food and learned a lot about the area and its culture. I would highly recommend a tour in Matsushima. I highly recommend Riko as a tour guide there!
GeorgeR2893,
May 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
Riko's knowledge of the Matsushima Bay geography and history was fascinating. She also evidenced great flexibility in response to our changing priorities. The little family restaurant we did for lunch was excellent.
145RobertB145,
May 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
Riku provided a great private tour at a perfect pace. I was able to tailor the tour to fit exactly the sites I wanted to see and do the things I wanted, both during the planning stages and during the tour itself. Riko was a good communicator and provided a perfect amount of information during the 8-hour tour. The entire tour went like clockwork. I got to see some important historical and cultural sites, explore some local shops and eat the local delicious specialties. I definitely recommend Riko as a guide.









Robert M,
Apr 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
The recommendation from our very helpful guide to visit Finaoka the next day for the Cherry Blossoms, which were awesome.
L4697GVrobertm,
Apr 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
The tour of Matsushima was unexpectedly and pleasantly different from all other sites we’ve visited in Japan. Yumi was an excellent host, knowledgeable of the history, friendly, course, and forthcoming with ideas for later in our stay in Sendai - and helpful on how to handle the transportation aspect of the journey.

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