All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

Due to the heavy rain, I took a short walk within the range I could. I was disappointed that I couldn't go to the Forest of the Spirits that I wanted to visit, but the guide explained various things while sharing funny stories, which made it enjoyable in its own way. Since we finished early, the guide also introduced us to the rental car, thank you very much.

大雨のため、行ける範囲で小散歩。行きたかったもののけの森に行けず残念でしたが、ガイドさんは、笑い話も交えていろいろと説明してくれて、それなりに楽しめました。早く終わったのでガイドさんがレンタカーまで紹介、ありがとうございました。

The schedule was tight time-wise, but I was glad to finally meet the Jomon Sugi. The Jomon Sugi shrouded in mist was divine, and I felt the grandeur of nature. On the way back after seeing the Jomon Sugi, I felt a bit of fatigue, but the guide's unique stories were refreshing and eased my tiredness. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you very much.

時間的にはタイトなスケジュール
でしたが、念願の縄文杉に出会う事が
出来て良かったです。
モヤがかかった縄文杉は神々しく、
自然の雄大さを感じました。
縄文杉を見た後の帰路は
少し脱力感を感じましたが、
ガイドの方のお話しがユニークで
疲れも癒され、
とてもいい経験が出来ました。
ありがとうございました。

The flow was easy to understand, and I was able to act calmly both in the cave and in the sea. I was surprised by the abundance of fish, and my anticipation for seeing sea turtles grew.

流れが分かりやすく、洞窟でも海でも落ち着いて行動できました。魚の多さに驚き、ウミガメへの期待も高まりました。

The first sea turtle I saw was eating in the clear ocean. I was healed by the beauty of nature and its adorable appearance. Thank you for providing such a wonderful experience! ✨

初めて見た海亀は、透き通った海の中で食事中。自然の美しさと愛らしい姿に心癒されました✨素敵な体験をさせていただきありがとうございました✨

We participated as a group of four, and we were blessed with good weather, allowing all of us to meet the Jomon Sugi safely. Our guide, Ko-chan (Kohei-kun), provided excellent guidance, care, and support, and I believe it was thanks to him that we all achieved this together. I can only express my gratitude for the precious and wonderful experience we had!

4人で参加したのですが、天候にも恵まれ、全員無事に縄文杉に会う事ができました。ガイドのこうちゃん［こうへい君］の案内、気遣い、フォローが素晴らしく、彼のお陰で皆んな揃って達成できたと思っています。貴重な素晴らしい体験ができたこと、感謝しかないです！

We participated as a group of 12, and the schedule was nicely balanced, allowing for some free time while we were able to explore the three islands in one day. The lunch was a buffet style, and we were able to enjoy a lot of Okinawan cuisine. It turned out to be a very fulfilling day!

12人の大所帯での参加でしたがタイムスケジュールが程よく自由時間もありつつ1日で離島三島を回れました。昼食もバイキング形式で沖縄料理をたくさん食べることができました。大変充実した1日になりました！

We participated in snorkeling for the first time with our 5 and 7-year-old children. Yamachan was very kind and taught the kids, and they were thrilled to see sea turtles and fish. 😊 Since Yamachan stayed with the kids the whole time, my husband and I were able to relax and enjoy snorkeling together. We created the best memories as a family! ✨

初めてのシュノーケリング、5歳と7歳の子どもと参加させていただきました。やまちゃんがとっても優しく子ども達にも教えてくださり、海亀やお魚が見れて大喜びでした☺️やまちゃんが子ども達とずっと一緒にいてくださったので、安心して夫婦でゆっくりシュノーケリングを楽しむこともできました♩
家族で最高の思い出が作れました✨

The guide was experienced and it was great. I believe the success of the Yakusugi tour depends on the guide's experience.

ガイドの方が経験豊富で良かったです。
屋久杉ツアーはガイドさんの経験により登山の成功が決まると思いました。

Arrived in Ishigaki via a transfer in Naha from Tokyo. Had lunch at Ishigaki Airport, and then went to Taketomi Island on this tour. I was able to enjoy it without wasting any time and felt satisfied. Thanks to that, the next day I had a full day of activities in Miyako Island. Instead of rushing through sightseeing, I was able to take my time and enjoy it thoroughly.

東京から那覇で乗り継ぎ石垣に到着。ランチを石垣空港で、その後このツアーで竹富島へ。
無駄なくで楽しめ満足できました。おかげで次の日は1日かけて宮古島へアクティビティ。早足の観光でなくゆっくり十分楽しめました。

It was my first time in Ishigaki and my first time visiting an outer island. I recommend it for those who want to explore efficiently. Since there is a lot of travel by vehicle, it’s enjoyable for both elderly people and those with small children. The explanations from the guides at each stop were fun. Since I have an elementary school student, I signed up for a free walk on Taketomi Island and rented a bicycle on-site. Biking around was very pleasant.

初めての石垣、初めての離島でした。効率よく回りたい方におすすめします。
乗り物での移動が多いので、高齢の方も小さいお子さん連れも楽しめる内容です。
その時々のガイドさんからの解説が楽しかったです。
小学生がいるので竹富島はフリーウォークで申し込み、現地で自転車を借りました。
自転車観光、とても気持ちよかったです。

It's an overnight ferry. Since I had originally used this reservation service before, I made the reservation from here. The check-in was smooth, and since the sea wasn't rough, I was able to rest.

夜行フェリーです。
もともとこちらの予約利用したことがあるのでこちらから予約いたしました。
スムーズに受付できまして、海も荒れていなかったので休むことができました。

I received polite advice at SUP and had a fun experience. Although we couldn't go to the Blue Cave for snorkeling, the weather was nice, and I got to see sea turtles, which made for a delightful time.

ＳＵＰでは丁寧にアドバイスをいただき、楽しく体験できました。
シュノーケリングは青の洞窟には行けませんでしたが、お天気も良く、ウミガメにも会えて楽しい時間を過ごさせていただきました。

Since I hadn't been exercising much lately, my legs started to shake towards the end. Honestly, going down without trekking poles was tough, and I now wish I had rented some. I was so focused on keeping up that I didn't have much time to enjoy the scenery, so I realized that preparation is essential. Still, reaching Jomon Sugi was an amazing experience.

日頃あまり運動もしていなかったので、最後の方は足がガクガクになりました。ストック無しでの下山は正直キツかったので、やはりレンタルすれば良かったと今になって思います。
ついていくのに必死で、あまり景色を楽しむ余裕がありませんでしたので、やはり準備は必要だなと思いました。それでも、縄文杉まで行けた事は最高の体験でした。

We were blessed with good weather and had a great time enjoying the ox cart and the guide's folk songs, surrounded by blooming bougainvillea and deigo flowers. The timing was perfect.

お天気にも恵まれ、牛車もガイドさんの民謡も楽しみながら、ブーゲンビリア、デイゴの花も盛りの中、良い時間を過ごせました。時期的に良かったです。

Even though it's late March, is it scorching hot in Taketomi Island?! For Tokyoites who are still not used to the heat, riding in a covered water buffalo cart while listening to the guide's stories and the sound of the sanshin was the best experience for a leisurely island tour.

This tour, which includes transportation between Ishigaki Port and Taketomi Port, as well as a shuttle bus and water buffalo cart sightseeing, is a great deal. We took the ferry departing from Ishigaki at 2:30 PM and returning from Taketomi at 5:00 PM, which was just the right timing.

3月下旬とはいえ、竹富島は猛暑？！　まだ暑さに慣れていない東京人にとっては、屋根付きの水牛車に乗って、案内人の話や三線の音色を聞きながらゆっくり島巡りができて最高の経験でした。
石垣港⇔竹富港⇔送迎バス+水牛車観光のこのツアーはおトクです。私達は午後14:30石垣発＆竹富発17:00のフェリーで、時間的にちょうどよかったです。

The guide was kind and attentive, and despite my foot pain, I was able to keep up. It was a place I wanted to visit at least once in my lifetime, so I am very satisfied.

ガイドさんも優しく丁寧で、足の痛みを抱える私も何とか付いていくことができました。一生に一度は行きたい場所でしたので、非常に満足しています。

The scenery was of course amazing, but the tour guide was the best. They had a wealth of topics to discuss and shared them in such an interesting way that I forgot my fatigue and was able to enjoy the trekking.

絶景はもちろん最高でしたが、ツアーガイドさんが最高でした。
話題豊富でしかも面白く話してくれて、疲れを忘れてトレッキングできました。

We participated by splitting into a bus team and a free (bicycle) group. The forecast was cloudy with rain, and there was occasional light rain on Taketomi Island. I brought a raincoat but didn't need to wear it. The sea at Nishi Sanchu Bridge seemed beautiful. To visit all the highlights, you need plenty of time, and the last ferry was at 5 PM.

バスチームとフリー（自転車）に分かれての参加。曇雨予報で竹富島は時々小雨。カッパ持ってったけど着なくて大丈夫でした。西桟橋の海が綺麗だったようです。見どころを全部行くには時間がたっぷり必要で、フェリーは最後の17時でした。

On a day with cloudy and rainy forecasts, the strong winds made the ferry ride to our destination quite bumpy, causing even adults to feel seasick and scared. However, we calmed down during the mangrove tour, enjoyed a ride on an ox cart, and the kids were thrilled to see the large Papilio butterfly and the golden chrysalis at the Yufu Island Butterfly Garden. The bus tour was well-paced with informative explanations, allowing us to efficiently explore the area. It rained while we were on the boat, but elsewhere it was just cloudy, so we managed to have a fun time. It would have been perfect if it had been sunny.

曇雨予報の日、風が強く行きのフェリーが揺れまくり大人も船酔いand怖さで大変でした。その後のマングローブ遊覧で落ち着き、牛車も楽しめ、由布島蝶々園の大きなオオゴマダラと金色のサナギに子供大喜びでした。バスツアーはテンポよく説明もあり効率よく周れました。船中に雨が降りましたが、他はなんとか曇だったので楽しく周れました。晴れなら最高でした。

I slept like a baby. Staff was great getting on and getting off

Guide Mitsuhashi provided an accurate and insightful tour. He made every effort to avoid crowded times, and at Jomon Sugi and the Wilson stump, it felt almost like we had the place to ourselves. It was truly moving!

ガイドの三橋さんが的確なガイドをしてくださいました。混み合いそうなタイミングを極力避けてくださり、縄文杉やウィルソン株ではほぼ貸切なんじゃないかというくらいの空き具合、感動でした！

There were some hits and misses with the guide, and honestly, my guide wasn't very good.

Disappointments:
While the guide would stop at key points to explain things, they would immediately start walking again after finishing the explanation, leaving no time for taking photos. We arrived at the entrance before 5 PM, so we had plenty of time, and I wished there had been more time for photography.

There was no announcement about how many minutes the break would be, and the guide prioritized their own schedule, waiting until they finished their meal. While walking, the guide completely ignored the participants behind them, not noticing if anyone was lagging or even falling. They walked ahead without considering the participants' conditions, making it difficult to take water breaks.

Additionally, when using trekking poles on the stairs, it was hard to walk behind the guide because they would stick the poles out behind them.

However, there were certainly parts where having a guide was helpful, especially for pacing and knowing where the rest points were. For those who are not used to hiking, it's safer to have a guide.

ガイドによる当たり外れがあり自分のガイドは正直あまりよくはなかったです。
不満点
要所で止まって説明してくれるものの説明終わったらすぐ歩き出す為に写真撮影する時間がなかった。帰り入り口には5時前に着いており十分時間に余裕があったのでもう少し撮影する時間を取って欲しかった。
休憩時間が何分というアナウンスがなく、ガイドの食事終了までなどガイド都合優先だった。
歩いている際に後ろを全く気にしてない為に参加者が遅れていても転んでいても全く気がつかない。参加者の様子を考慮しないで歩いていくので給水しにくかった。
階段でトレッキングポールを後ろに突き出すのでガイドの真後ろだと歩きにくい。

ただしガイドがいないとペース配分や休憩ポイント等わからない部分もあるので助かった部分も当然あります。登山慣れしてない方はガイドを付けた方が無難です。

I participated in a one-day tour. I requested a pickup service, but it seems that during busy periods, the pickup may not be available the day before. Since I didn't have a rental car, I was very grateful for the pickup service.

In the morning, we did SUP at Ingyā, and in the afternoon, we went snorkeling at Turtle Bay, which was packed with activities. Our tour guide, Yume-chan, was very kind, and my child was able to participate with peace of mind!

The underwater scenery was truly beautiful, and we were able to see turtles up close, which was very cute. Thank you very much!

１日ツアーに参加しました。
送迎付きをお願いしましたが、混んでいる時期だと前日に送迎不可になることもあるようです。レンタカー無しだったので、送迎していただけて大変ありがたかったです。
午前中にインギャーでSUP、午後からタートルベイでシュノーケリングと盛りだくさんでしたが、ツアーガイドのゆめちゃんには親切にしていただき、子どもも安心して参加できました！
海の中は本当に綺麗で、カメさんも近くで見る事ができて、とても可愛かったです。
ありがとうございました。

The weather was nice, and our guide was very cheerful and fun. Every moment from the talks inside the tour until it ended was enjoyable! There are other tours available, and I'm looking forward to participating in those as well! Even those who can't swim are well taken care of, so anyone can join with peace of mind!

天気も良くて担当ガイドの方もすごく明るく楽しい社内の中のトークからツアーが終わるまでの全ての時間が楽しかったです！
また違うツアーがありますので、そちらの方も参加するのが楽しみです！
泳げない方でもしっかり対応してくださるので誰でも安心して参加できます！

In the morning, the weather was nice, and while cruising through the mangroves in Iriomote Island and crossing to Yubu Island by water buffalo cart, a pleasant breeze was blowing, making it a very enjoyable experience. Riding the water buffalo cart was a first for me, and the sound of the boatman's shamisen added a charming touch, allowing me to savor a relaxed atmosphere.

When we took the ferry to Taketomi Island, it started to rain, and since I had signed up for a cycling course on the island, I was worried. However, the rain stopped partway through, and I was glad I could cycle around the island. I was able to reach the sea, so I felt it was a good choice to go with the cycling course.

I definitely want to visit again when the weather and climate are nice.

午前中は天気も良く、西表島でのマングローブを船で周る時と、由布島へ水牛車で渡る時は、心地いい風も吹いててとても気持ちよく過ごせました。水牛車も初めての体験で、船頭さんの三味線も情緒があって、ゆったりとした雰囲気を味わえて良かったです。
竹富島へフェリーで渡る時に雨が降ってきて、島でサイクリングのコースを申し込んでいたので、心配してましたが、途中から雨も止み、自転車で島をまわれて良かったです。海の方まで行けたので、サイクリングのコースにして良かったと思いました。
またぜひ、気候と天気の良い時に訪れたいなと思いました。

I had some anxiety due to lack of exercise, but I challenged myself because I wanted to see it at least once. The guide, **san, said, "If you only look through the lens, it's a waste! I want you to engrave it in your memory," and that love for Yakushima really came through in those words. I completely agreed with that. The guide was incredibly thorough, even teaching us about aftercare for muscle soreness.

I was fortunate to have great companions on the climb, and we had a lot of fun and were able to descend safely. The sense of accomplishment was immense✨️.

I've gained another unforgettable experience.

Thank you very much🙏.

運動不足で不安はありましたが、一度は見てみたいとチャレンジしました。
ガイドのき**さん、レンズを通してばかりだと、勿体ない！目に焼き付けて帰って欲しいと、屋久島愛が伝わる一言。まさに、その通りだと思いました。凄く丁寧にガイドは勿論のこと、筋肉痛のアフターケアまで教えてくださいました。
一緒に登った仲間にも恵まれ、とても楽しく、無事下山することができました。達成感は物凄かった✨️
心に残る体験が1つ増えました。
本当に、
ありがとう御座いました🙏

The guide was worried because the ages in this group were varied, but we all started walking with the goal of completing the course together. I was encouraged by the sight of older participants walking energetically, which helped me finish the course. Thanks to the guide and everyone in the group. Great job, everyone! ✨

ガイドさんがこのグループは年齢がばらばらなので、と心配されてましたが、とにかく全員で完歩をめあてに歩きはじめました。私よりご高齢の方が元気に歩いている姿に、励まされ完歩できました。ガイドさん、グループの皆さんのおかげです。お疲れ様でした。✨

The snorkeling guides were Makocchan and Soutakun! Both were cheerful and friendly, and their explanations were easy to understand, making it enjoyable and reassuring even for first-timers.

The snorkeling location changed due to sea conditions, but it turned out to be a great decision! I was thrilled to swim with sea turtles, which was a dream come true 🐢✨✨ I got so excited that I almost drowned... haha.

And for my first time on a SUP, we went into the mangroves. The quiet and surreal scenery was breathtaking... it was incredibly healing!! ✨✨

I did fall off the SUP a few times, but that just added to the fun, and I made some amazing memories. ☺️

Thank you so much, Makocchan and Soutakun! I definitely want to go again! When I do, I hope to have you as my guides again! 🤘

シュノーケリングのガイドはまこっちゃんSUPはそうたくん！
どちらも明るくて気さくで説明もわかりやすく、初めてでも安心して楽しめました。

海の状況でシュノーケリングの場所は変更になりましたがそれが大当たり！！
念願の海亀と一緒に泳げて感動🐢✨✨
興奮しすぎてあわや溺れるかと…笑

そして初めてのSUPはマングローブの中へ。
静かで幻想的な景色が広がって…
めっちゃ癒されたーーーッ！！✨✨

しっかりSUPから落ち、掴みは👍
それも含めて楽しくて最高の思い出ができました。☺️

まこっちゃん、そうたくん
本当にありがとうございました😊
また絶対行きたいです！
その時はまたガイドよろしくーー🤘

This was an activity I wanted to experience at least once. The water buffalo crossing the sea is really cute. I had a wonderful experience on Yufujima as well. The jungle cruise on Nakama River was also fantastic.

１度は体験したいアクテビティでした。海を渡る水牛はホントに可愛いです。由布島でも素晴らしい体験出来ました。
仲間川のジャングルクルーズも最高でした。

We were probably grouped by age, and there were eight people from the same generation. We spent 10 hours together, got to know each other, and I saw them a few times the next day and had conversations with them. The guide paid close attention to everyone, which allowed us to trek with peace of mind. I'm glad I was able to accomplish one of the things I want to do before I die.

たぶん年代別にグループ分けされていて、同世代8人でした。10時間も一緒に過ごして、顔見知りになり、次の日も何回かお見かけして話をしたりしました。
ガイドの方はみんなの様子をよくみてくださって、安心してトレッキングをすることができました。
死ぬまでにやりたいことの１つを実行できて良かったです。