All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

The tour was highly satisfying as it allowed us to efficiently visit Iriomote Island, Yufu Island, and Taketomi Island in one day. The transportation and schedule were smooth, making it more enjoyable and reassuring than if we had arranged everything ourselves.

The water buffalo cart ride on Yufu Island had a great atmosphere, and we were able to spend a leisurely time there. On Taketomi Island, we also had free time to explore the streets and fully experience the island's vibe. I think it's a tour that's easy for first-time visitors to join and enjoy the main attractions without feeling rushed.

Since we could visit multiple islands in one day, I recommend this tour for those who want to make the most of their limited stay and have a fulfilling sightseeing experience.

We had a flight departing at 7 PM that day. After finishing the tour and returning to the Ishigaki Island ferry terminal, we had about an hour to casually stroll around Euglena Mall.

西表島・由布島・竹富島を1日で効率よく回ることができ、とても満足度の高いツアーでした。
移動やスケジュールもスムーズで、自分たちで手配するより安心して楽しめたのがよかったです。

由布島の水牛車は雰囲気があり、のんびりした時間を過ごせましたし、竹富島では自由時間もあり、街並みを散策しながら島の空気をしっかり味わえました。
初めて訪れる方でも参加しやすく、主要な見どころを無理なく楽しめる内容だと思います。

1日で複数の島を巡れるので、限られた滞在時間の中で充実した観光をしたい方におすすめです。

私たちは当日19時発の飛行機でした。
1日終えて石垣島離島ターミナルに帰ってきてから、1時間くらいはユーグレナモールをフラフラするくらいに余裕はありました。

I had a great time experiencing the culture of the mangroves and Kohama Island! Sou-ta the water buffalo! He carried me all the way to the end, even though he took a few breaks! I think I could go back countless times without getting bored!

マングローブや小浜島の文化に触れて
とても楽しかった！
水牛のソウタ君！何度かサボりながらも最後まで運んでくれました！
何度行っても飽きないと思う！

You ride a water buffalo cart for about 30 minutes while taking in the town's scenery, and the sight of the red-tiled houses and bougainvillea blooming against the stone walls gives you a strong tropical vibe! The buffalo driver explains the town and even sings, which is entertaining. It's a great way to experience the best of each island, making it an excellent value for beginners. Personally, I felt that I would have liked a bit more time on Taketomi Island.

30分くらい水牛車に乗って街並みを観て周るのですが、赤瓦の家並み、石塀にブーゲンビリアが咲き乱れていて南国感半端ないです！牛使いさんが街の説明をしてくれたり、歌ってくれて面白い。各島のいいとこどりなので、初心者にはコスパ最強かと。個人的には竹富島でもう少し時間があればなぁと感じたかな。

The guidance was very clear, allowing us to board without any confusion, and we smoothly got onto the water buffalo cart. Unfortunately, I hadn't made a reservation for a bicycle rental in advance, so I couldn't ride around the island as I wanted, but my whole family was able to have a fulfilling time.

案内も非常に明確で迷うことなく乗船でき、スムーズに水牛車にも乗れました。事前に自転車レンタルの予約をしてなかったので、自転車で島を一周まわりたかったけどできなかったのが残念でしたが、家族一同充実した時間を過ごすことができました。

The location and timing for the shoot were blessed with great weather, allowing us to see many stars, which was thrilling. We had more shooting time than expected and were able to capture five poses, and I was satisfied with the data provided. After the shoot, we talked about dining and sightseeing spots in Miyako Island, and I received information via LINE as well. The service was excellent, and I was very satisfied!

撮影する場所・時間が天候に恵まれ沢山の星が見られ感激。
思ってた以上の撮影時間で5ポーズを撮って頂きデータも満足するものでした、撮影後も宮古島での食事・観光ポイントの話しをしたりLINEでも情報をもらい、とっても良い対応をして頂き大満足！

On the day, we were blessed with good weather and enjoyed the sparkling forests of Yakushima! The guide's stories were also very interesting. Thank you for everything from early in the morning!

当日は天候に恵まれ、屋久島のキラキラの森を楽しめました！
ガイドさんのお話もとても面白かったです。
朝早くからありがとうございました！

The weather was very bad, and the ferry on the way there was rocky, which made my elderly mother feel seasick and uncomfortable. However, she was happy to see the ox carts on Yufu Island, which she had long admired, and we took many memorable photos that we ended up purchasing.

The lunch was delicious, and we were satisfied with it. Although our time was short, we enjoyed our stroll around the area.

However, after being taken by bus to the ferry terminal for our return trip, there was no guidance at all, and we didn't know what to do. Reluctantly, I asked someone from another company, but they also said, "I don't know because it's a different company." In the end, we could have just boarded the ferry that was docked, but without any guidance, it was quite confusing.

At the very least, I would have appreciated an email or instructions from the staff we spoke with at the Ishigaki ferry terminal on the way there, indicating that there would be no one to guide us on the return trip and that we should board the ferry on our own.

天候が大変悪く、行きのフェリーが揺れたため、同行の高齢の母が船酔いして辛そうだった。しかし由布島の牛車などは長年憧れだったので喜んでいたし、記念写真もよく撮れていて購入していた。
昼ご飯も美味しく満足だったし、短い時間ではあったが散策も楽しめた。
しかし、帰りフェリーターミナルまでバスで送迎してもらった後、一切案内が無くどうすればいいのか分からなかった。しかたなく他社の係の人に尋ねたがその人も「会社が違うので分からない」と。結局は停泊しているフェリーに勝手に乗れば良かったのだが、何もガイドが無いとさすがに分からない。
せめてメールでもいいし行きに石垣のフェリーターミナルで話した係員でも構わないから、帰りは誘導する人は誰もいないが勝手にフェリーに乗船するようにと指示しておいてほしかった。

First of all, the round trip trekking of 10 and a half hours requires quite a bit of leg strength. By the time we returned, my legs were shaking, but our guide (Mr. Kiyota) was very kind, and I was able to complete the trek with his guidance. Given the long distance, I think it's somewhat unavoidable to consider pacing, but we couldn't really take our time to enjoy the scenery along the way. Especially on the initial stretch along the trolley tracks, it felt like we were just walking steadily without pause.

That said, I was fortunate enough to encounter both the Yakuzaru (Japanese macaque) and the Yakushika (Japanese deer) during the trek, which made me very happy. Given the season, I also enjoyed listening to the calls of the bush warblers. I hurriedly took photos since we didn't have much time, which became a nice memory.

The guide also prepared miso soup for us during lunch and shared herbal medicine for muscle pain, which was greatly appreciated. Learning about the history of Yakushima and the knowledge of Jomon Sugi at various points was very educational. I am truly grateful for that.

It was also convenient to be able to pre-order a bento, saving me the hassle of preparing my own. Blessed with good weather, it was a day to appreciate the unique beauty of Yakushima, the strength of the plants including Jomon Sugi, and the blessings of nature. Thank you very much!

先ず、やはり往復10時間半のトレッキングはかなりの脚力を要します。
戻る頃には足がガクガクでしたが、ガイドの方（キヨタ様）がとても良い方で、なんとか導かれながらやり遂げることが出来ました。
距離が長い分、ペース配分を考えるとある程度致し方ないかとは思いますが、道中はゆっくり景色を楽しみながらのんびり…といった感じでは進めません。特に最初のトロッコ線路上はひたすら黙々と歩き続ける感じです。
とは言え、幸運にも道中ヤクザルやヤクシカにも出会うことが出来て、嬉しかったです。季節柄、鴬の啼き声も楽しく聴きました。時間があまりないので慌てて写真を撮ったことも良い想い出です。
ガイドさんには昼食時のお味噌汁をご準備いただいたり、筋肉痛に効く漢方を分けて下さったりと、大変お世話になりました。要所要所で伺う屋久島の歴史や縄文杉の知識なども、とても勉強になりました。改めて、心より感謝です。
お弁当を予めオーダー出来るのも、自身で用意する手間が省けて有難かったです。
好天に恵まれ、改めて屋久島の独特の美しさ、縄文杉を始めとする植物の力強さ、自然の恵みに感謝した一日でした。ありがとうございました！

We had to change our snorkeling plans to Waiwai Beach due to high waves and winds at Shinjo Coast, but we were able to see adorable sea turtles right in front of us, and the beautiful fish swimming around the coral reefs exceeded our expectations. Our instructor, So-chan, was very reliable, allowing us to focus on observing underwater with peace of mind. He was also great at taking photos and videos, making it a truly memorable and valuable experience that we were very satisfied with.

新城海岸が波風高く急遽わいわいビーチに変更してのシュノーケリングでしたが、可愛いウミガメを目の前で見ることが出来、珊瑚礁に泳ぐ綺麗な魚たちも期待以上に楽しめました。インストラクターのそうちゃんは、とても頼りになる方で安心して海の中の観察に集中出来ました。また写真や動画を撮るのもお上手で、思い出に残る貴重な体験にとても満足です。

The sea was calm. I was able to swim close enough to the turtles that it felt like we could bump into each other, and I got to watch them munching on seaweed up close! Thank you, Yamachan and Sou-kun. Even when my mask slipped and seawater got into my nose... 😱 you quickly fixed it, so thank you, Yamachan! ✨

穏やかな海でした。ぶつかりそうなくらいの近さで亀と泳ぎ、海藻をモグモグ食べる姿をじっくりと見ることができました！やまちゃん、そう君、ありがとうございました。水中マスクがズレて鼻に海水が…😱の時も、すぐに直してくれてやまちゃんありがとう✨

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。

I participated in a snorkeling and SUP tour in early April. I was worried about whether my 7-year-old (who was swimming in the ocean for the first time) would enjoy it, but thanks to the bright and kind guide who took great care of us, we had a fantastic time. My child seemed to really enjoy chatting with the SUP guide, Peach Princess from Miyako Island, and was smiling the whole time. We received a lot of wonderful photos, and they even provided transportation to our hotel (thank you, Hiro), making it a very appreciated tour.

４月上旬にシュノーケリングとSUPのツアーに参加しました。7歳（海で泳ぐのは初）が楽しめるか不安でしたが、明るく優しいガイドさんが丁寧にケアしてくださったおかげで、満喫できました。SUPのガイドをしてくださった宮古島のピーチ姫とのお喋りがとても楽しかったようで、7歳は終始ニコニコでした。素敵な写真を沢山いただけて、ホテルまでの送迎もしていただき（ヒロさん、ありがとうございました）、とてもありがたいツアーでした。

This is my second time participating in this tour. Although there are many tour guests moving at once, the group is divided at each destination, allowing for smooth sightseeing without confusion.

On Yubu Island and Taketomi Island, you can explore freely and take your time visiting the places you want to see. The mangrove cruise on Iriomote Island was guided by a knowledgeable guide, and I learned a lot about mangroves.

On the water buffalo cart ride to Yubu Island, the guide played the sanshin and performed island songs for us. On Taketomi Island, I chose the free option this time, and when we arrived at Taketomi Port, there was a rental bicycle shop where I could borrow an electric bike.

During my first visit, I explored on foot, but there are many hilly paths, so having a bicycle makes it easier and gives you more time to enjoy. Lunch was a buffet featuring local island specialties.

このツアーに参加するのは2回目です。
大勢のツアー客が一度に動きますが、行く先々でグループ分けがされていて、迷う事なくスムーズに観光出来ます。
由布島、竹富島での島内観光は自由に回る事が出来、行きたいところをゆっくり観光出来ます。
西表島のマングローブクルーズは、案内人さんのガイドが分かり易く、マングローブの事を沢山知りました。
由布島までの水牛車では、案内人さんが三線を弾いて島唄を披露してくれます。
竹富島では、今回はフリーを選択しましたが、竹富港に着いた際にレンタサイクルのお店の方いて、電動自転車を借りる事が出来ました。
一度目は歩いての観光でしたが、起伏のある道も多く、自転車があると楽ですし、時間にも余裕が持てます。
ランチは島名物が中心のバイキングでした。

I didn't expect to be able to visit three islands in a single day, so I was really excited when I found this tour.

The weather on the day was cloudy with occasional sunshine ☀️, but it was a bit chilly. I had a light jacket with me, so the cold wasn't too much of a problem.

First, we took a ferry to Iriomote Island. From Iriomote Island, we boarded a boat to see the unique mangroves. Then, we crossed over to Yufu Island riding on a water buffalo, which was a valuable experience.

日帰りで3島も巡ることが出来ると思ってなかったので､このツアーを見つけたときは､とてもワクワクしました。

当日は曇りときどき晴れ☀️みたいな天気だったんですが､少し肌寒く一枚薄いジャンパーを持っていたので､あまり寒さは苦にはなりませんでした。

まず、フェリーに乗って西表島へ
西表島から船に乗って珍しいマングローブ
それから西表島から由布島へ水牛に乗って渡ったのが貴重な経験が出来ました。

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。

This was my second tour of the three islands: Iriomote Island, Yubu Island, and Taketomi Island. Unfortunately, we weren't blessed with good weather again, and like last time, it was a cold tour... But to be honest, everyone should go on this tour!!

This time, the bus driver on Iriomote Island was a great storyteller, making the ride really enjoyable. We were laughing a lot. On the other hand, the boatman for the water buffalo cart on Yubu Island, who was very entertaining last time, seemed to be doing a half-hearted job this time, possibly because it was raining, which was disappointing.

I also think there’s room for improvement regarding the lunch we had on Yubu Island. However, the convenience of having hotel pick-up and drop-off, along with the fact that the boat didn’t rock, made it a great experience overall. Above all, I believe this tour is so engaging that you won’t have a moment to feel bored.

2度目の西表島、由布島、竹富島の3島めぐりツアーでした。
今回もお天気には恵まれず、前回同様寒いツアーにはなりましたが・・・
はっきり言ってこれはみなさん行くべきです！！
今回は西表島のバス移動の運転手さんがお話上手でとっても楽しかった。ウケまくりでした。
逆に由布島の水牛車の船頭さん(？)は、前回はとてもお話上手の方の楽しい方だったのですが、今回は雨も降っていたこともあってやっつけ仕事っぽく残念でした。
あとは由布島でいただく昼食も改善の余地があると思います。
ですがホテルへの送迎付きで便利だし船も揺れないし、なにより退屈する暇は無いほど充実しているツアーだと思います。

The morning ferry rocked like a roller coaster, making my heart race with excitement! I was healed by the water buffaloes on Iriomote Island and Yufu Island, enjoyed a fun guide on Taketomi Island while searching for star sand. It was a healing journey!

朝のフェリーは、ジェットコースターなみ揺れて、ハラハラドキドキ！
西表島、由布島の水牛に癒されて、竹富島でガイドさんの楽しいガイドで、星砂探して、
癒される旅でしたー！

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。