All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

The day we initially reserved was cloudy, and I was worried about whether we would be able to see the stars in this weather. However, I received a message and was able to reschedule for the next day.

Although the stars were hidden again the following day, the photographer was persistent, and we were able to see a beautiful starry sky and have some lovely photos taken. As we've aged, my spouse and I haven't had our pictures taken by a photographer, but looking at the finished photos made me glad we decided to do it. I hope to visit again during the season when the Milky Way is visible. Thank you very much.

当初予約していた日は曇ってしまい…このお天気で星が見えるのかな…と心配していたところ、ご連絡をいただき翌日に振り替えてもらうことができました。

翌日も星が隠れてしまいましたが、カメラマンさんが粘ってくださり、綺麗な星空を見ることができ、素敵な写真を撮影してもらうことができました。
年齢を重ねて、夫婦でカメラマンさんに写真を撮ってもらうことはなくなりましたが、出来上がりを見てお願いして良かったと思いました。
天の川が見れる季節にまた伺えたらいいなぁと思っています。
ありがとうございました。

This was my second time using the service, following two years ago, and I was fortunate with the weather. It was great to efficiently visit the highlights. I recommend it to those planning to explore unfamiliar remote islands.

2年前に続いて2回目の利用でしたが、天候にも恵まれ、見所を効率良くまわれて良かったです。不慣れな離島巡りを計画している方にお薦めです。

I was very satisfied to see the colorful fish and beautiful corals of the tropical region! The guide's attention to safety was thorough, allowing me to enjoy the tour with peace of mind!

南国のカラフルな魚たちと綺麗なサンゴが見れて大満足でした！ガイドの人の安全配慮も行き届いていて、安心してツアーを過ごせました！

We had a great afternoon during the canoe tour in the mangroves. The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable, and we learned a lot about the mangrove ecosystem. The excursion was well organized, relaxing, and very enjoyable. We definitely recommend it!

We had a great afternoon during the canoe tour in the mangroves. The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable, and we learned a lot about the mangrove ecosystem. The excursion was well organized, relaxing, and very enjoyable. We definitely recommend it!

Without local options like these, I would have been wondering where to go! I was very grateful for them! The water buffalo cart and mangrove exploration were great, and the tropical, old-fashioned atmosphere of Taketomi Island was wonderful!

こういう現地オプションがないと、何処行こうか⁉️ってなってしまうので、大変ありがたかったです‼️水牛車やマングローブ探検とか竹富島の南国古風なたたずまい良かったです‼️

I was able to enjoy Taketomi Island while riding a water buffalo and listening to the performance of the sanshin. As mentioned in other reviews, there wasn't much time for strolling. It was less than an hour, so it was just enough time to walk to the Nishi Sanchu and return to the bus stop.

水牛で街を回りながら、三線の演奏を聴くことができて、竹富島を堪能することができました。他の方の口コミにもあるように、散策時間はあまりありませんでした。１時間もないくらいだったので、歩いて西桟橋行ってバス乗り場まで戻ってきて、ちょうどいいぐらいでした。

I participated with two elementary school students (4th grade and 1st grade). The round-trip bus from the port made it convenient. Even though it was during Golden Week, we were able to ride the water buffalo cart with almost no wait. There wasn't enough time to explore everything, but it was nice to be able to return without too much stress, especially with kids.

小学生2人(4年、1年)と参加しました。港からのバスも往復ついていて、楽でした。GWでしたが、水牛車にもほぼ待たずに乗れました。あれもこれも散策するには時間が足りませんが、子連れならあまり無理せず帰れて良かったです。

Although the sky was unfortunately cloudy and there was a bit of rain, I had a very enjoyable time. The experience of swaying on a water buffalo cart while crossing to Yufushima became a wonderful memory. Next time, I would like to go again on a sunny day!

あいにくの曇り空と、少し雨もパラつきましたが、とても楽しく過ごせました。水牛車でゆらゆら揺られ由布島に渡った経験はよい思い出になりました。今度は晴れた日にまた行ってみたいです！！

It was a smooth experience during the Golden Week. I checked in at the counter at the remote island terminal before the scheduled time and boarded the boat. It took about 15 minutes to get to Taketomi Island. From there, we transferred to several cars and headed to the waiting area for the water buffalo. We were guided in order. The water buffalo guide was very good at talking, and we leisurely progressed while listening to her play the sanshin. They also took free photos, and if you liked them, there were paid versions with a frame available. The quality of the photos with data was good, so we purchased them for our family. There wasn't much time for free exploration, so we returned to the meeting point early and just relaxed afterward. From start to finish, all the staff we encountered were very pleasant. Thank you for the wonderful memories!

GWでしたが大変スムーズでした。離島ターミナルのカウンターで時間までに受付し、船に乗船。竹富島まで15分ほど。そこから数台の車に分かれて乗り換え、水牛の待つ場所へ。順番に案内されます。水牛ガイドのお姉さんがとても話し上手で、三線の弾き語りを聴きながらのんびり進みます。無料の写真も撮っていただき、気に入れば台紙付きの有料タイプも。データ付きで仕上がりが良かったので我が家は購入しました。フリータイムで巡れる時間はあまりなかったので早めに集合場所まで戻り、あとはまったり。スタートから最後まで、出会うスタッフの方々とても感じが良かったです。素敵な思い出をありがとうございました！

I was concerned that spending one day on three islands would mean less time on each island, but in reality, I was able to have an enjoyable experience on each one. For lunch, I had "karasoba," a soul food from the Yaeyama Islands, where you can choose toppings in a buffet style.

On Taketomi Island, there was a free walk plan, but thanks to a rental service at the port that accommodated us without a reservation, I was able to rent a bicycle on-site. I recommend renting a bicycle for those who want to visit multiple spots.

This plan is highly recommended for those who want to casually visit various islands and for beginners exploring the Yaeyama Islands.

1日で3島ということで、1島あたりの時間が少なくなることを懸念していましたが、実際はどの島でも魅力的な体験ができました。
昼ごはんは「からそば」という八重山諸島のソウルフードで、トッピングをバイキング形式で選ぶものでした。
竹富島ではフリーウォークプランでしたが、予約なしでも対応してくださる業者さんが港にいてくれたおかげで、現地で自転車をレンタルすることができました。行きたいスポットが複数ある方は自転車レンタルをおすすめします。
いろんな島に気軽に訪れたい行きたいという方、八重山諸島初心者の方にはとてもおすすめのプランです。

I traveled from Hokkaido to the southernmost Yaeyama Islands. Even within Japan, I noticed differences in lifestyle and customs. Thank you for a wonderful trip.

北海道から最南端の八重山諸島に行きました。同じ日本でも生活用式、習慣の違いがわかりました。楽しい旅をありがとうございました。

It was my first snorkeling tour, and I was impressed by the clarity of the water. I saw a lot of fish and was very satisfied. The guide was also kind, which made it easy to enjoy. I would like to participate again.

初めてのシュノーケルツアーでしたが、海の透明度に感動し、魚もたくさん見れて大満足でした。ガイドさんも親切で安心して楽しめました。また参加したいです。

It was a very enjoyable snorkeling tour! The staff were kind, and I felt safe participating even as a beginner. The ocean was truly beautiful, and I was able to see many fish and corals, which was very moving. Additionally, I even encountered a sea turtle, making it an absolutely amazing experience! The explanations were thorough and easy to understand, and I was very satisfied with the photos they took. If you're going to go snorkeling in Ishigaki Island, I highly recommend this tour!

とても楽しいシュノーケリングツアーでした！
スタッフの皆さんも親切で、初めてでも安心して参加することができました。
海が本当に綺麗で、たくさんの魚やサンゴを見ることができ、とても感動しました。
さらにウミガメにも出会うことができて、本当に最高の体験でした！
説明も丁寧で分かりやすく、写真も撮っていただけて大満足です。
石垣島でシュノーケリングをするならぜひおすすめしたいツアーです！

I was able to experience the rich ecosystem of Ishigaki Island. I was moved by the underwater world filled with sea snakes, unusual fish I had never seen before, and colorful scenery.

石垣島の豊かな生態系に触れることができた。
ウミヘビや見たことの無いような変わった魚、カラフルな景色が水中世界に広がっていて感動をおぼえた。

I think the timing of my visit at the end of April, just before Golden Week, was perfect. The pleasant air, bright sunshine, and the tropical flowers in full bloom created a beautiful setting as we slowly moved along the narrow paths lined with traditional houses in a water buffalo cart. It felt like a different world. It was also nice that there were hardly any tourists from overseas.

4月末のゴールデンウイーク前で、訪れた時期も良かったと思います。気持ちのいい空気と明るい日差し、南国の花が咲き乱れる中、伝統的な家屋が立ち並ぶ細い道をゆっくりと進む水牛車。別世界のような美しさでした。押し寄せる海外からの観光客が殆どいなかったのも良かったです。

I was really satisfied with the mangrove canoeing experience, just as I had imagined. They were considerate about taking photos so that not many other people were in them, and I have done quite a few activities, but I really enjoyed this one!

思い描いていた通りのマングローブカヌーができてすごく満足です。写真も他の人があまり映らないように配慮いただいたり、アクティビティは結構してきましたがとても楽しめました！

It was a fun day of snorkeling and canoeing!

We did snorkeling in the morning, had lunch in between, and then went canoeing in the afternoon. I was actually disappointed when the plan changed from the Blue Cave to Osaki due to bad weather, but I was very satisfied to see a sea turtle up close, which is quite rare even in the Blue Cave. Plus, it was nice that it wasn't too hot!

During the morning snorkeling:
- The instructor taught us carefully, so I was able to start with a float and then swim on my own and enjoy it.
- The water clarity at Osaki was high, allowing us to observe colorful fish, sea turtles, and sea snakes up close.
- We had the amazing experience of a sea turtle coming up for air right in the middle of our group.
- Looking back, I'm glad we experienced Osaki instead of the Blue Cave.

In the afternoon mangrove canoeing:
- Thanks to the humorous instructor, we had a great time.
- We were able to observe hermit crabs (maybe?).

Overall, it was a day full of extraordinary experiences that even beginners could enjoy safely! By the way, during the lunch break between the morning and afternoon sessions, we took a shower at a tour-related facility and then went to a recommended burger place that serves Ishigaki beef, which was also excellent.

As for other highlights, we saw the following from the car window:
- Sugarcane fields and their processing factory
- Ishigaki beef and Jersey cows
- Peacocks (they were spreading their feathers and making sounds)
- Pigs (maybe Agu pigs?)

参加して楽しいシュノーケリングとカヌーでした！

シュノーケリングは午前に実施して、お昼を挟んで、カヌーは午後に実施しました。
実は天候不良で予定していた青の洞窟から大崎に変更になりガッカリしていたのですが、青の洞窟でもなかなか遭遇しにくい？ウミガメを間近で見ることができて、大満足でした。しかも暑くなくて良かった！

午前のシュノーケリングでは、
・インストラクターが丁寧に教えてくれたので、浮き輪スタートでも途中から自力で泳いで楽しむことができました
・大崎の海の透明度が高く、カラフルな魚・ウミガメ・ウミヘビを間近で観察できました
・ウミガメが自分たちの輪の中に息継ぎしにくるという感動体験がありました
・今思うと青の洞窟でなくて、体験できた大崎で良かったです

午後のマングローブカヌーでは、
・ユーモアたっぷりのインストラクターのおかげで楽しめました
・ヤドカニ（？）の生き物も観察できました

全体を通して、
初心者でも安心して参加できる、非日常感たっぷりの一日でした！
ちなみに午前と午後の間のお昼では、ツアー関連の施設でシャワーを浴びた後、インストラクターさんのおすすめの石垣牛ハンバーガー屋さんに行きました。
こちらのおすすめも非常に良かったです。

その他見所ですが、車窓から次を見れました
・サトウキビ畑とその加工工場
・石垣牛とジャージー牛
・くじゃく（羽開いたり、鳴いてました）
・豚（アグー豚？）

I chose this tour because I'm greedy and wanted to do a lot. It was just as I expected, a packed tour that was enjoyable. I had so many things I wanted to do, and the day was fulfilling.

欲張りだから、沢山行けるこのツアーを選びました。
思った通り盛りだくさんのツアーで楽しめました。
やりたいことが沢山あって1日充実しました。

I participated in the long-awaited Blue Cave tour! Luckily, I was able to swim with sea turtles, which became a lifelong memory. The blueness of the cave was stunning, and colorful tropical fish swam right in front of me, making it feel like a natural aquarium. It was the best experience, and I am very satisfied!

念願の青の洞窟ツアーに参加しました！運良くウミガメと一緒に泳ぐことができて、一生の思い出になりました。洞窟の青さもさることながら、カラフルな熱帯魚が目の前をたくさん泳いでいて、まるで天然の水族館のよう。最高の体験ができて大満足です！

This was my first time participating, and I felt truly cared for from start to finish, which allowed me to enjoy the experience with peace of mind. I learned a lot about the ocean, making it a special experience that was more than just swimming. They took many photos and videos, creating memories that will last a lifetime. I definitely want to participate again!

初めて参加しましたが、最初から最後まで本当に丁寧に対応していただき安心して楽しめました。海の知識もたくさん教えてもらえて、ただ泳ぐだけじゃない特別な体験になりました。写真や動画もたくさん撮っていただき、一生の思い出です。また絶対参加したいです！

I think the color of the sea would have been even more beautiful if it had been sunny, but even so, the mangrove tour provided a lot of interesting explanations, allowing me to learn many things I didn't know. I crossed the sea on a water buffalo cart, and while leisurely touring Taketomi Island, I experienced a performance of the sanshin. It was a very satisfying tour! Additionally, the bus driver on Iriomote Island was a great storyteller, making the trip very enjoyable. I also got to see the special natural monument, the crested serpent eagle.

晴れていればもっと海の色も綺麗だっただろうなぁと思いますが、それでもマングローブの遊覧ではいろんな解説で知らないことをたくさん知ることができ、水牛車で海を渡ったり、竹富島観光も水牛車でのんびり周りながら三線演奏を体験して、大満足のツアーでした！また、西表島でのバスの運転手さんは、お話上手でとても楽しめました。特別天然記念物のカンムリワシも、見れました。

Swimming with colorful fish in the transparent sea was more moving than I could have imagined, and it was the best time to completely forget about my daily life and truly refresh myself.

透明な海の中で色とりどりの魚と一緒に泳ぐ体験は想像以上に感動的で、日常を忘れて心からリフレッシュできた最高の時間だった。

Overall, it was disappointing. It might be due to the schedule. The pose options were limited, so I should have decided on my own. If I take photos again, I will choose a different place.

全体的に期待はずれ。日程もありそうだけど。
ポーズ指定薄めだから自分で決めるべきだった。
次撮るなら別のところにする。

I had plenty of free time, so I was able to relax while renting a bicycle. The water buffalo cart ride was also a lot of fun!

One point to note!
After getting off the ferry, I found out that there are two boarding areas for the Iriomote Island tour cruise: one for "tour groups" and one for "general users."
Since there was no specific guidance, I asked at the shop, and they directed me to the general boarding area, but I ended up almost missing the tour cruise...
If there had been a little more detailed guidance from the start, I think I would have been able to board without confusion and with peace of mind.

フリー時間がたっぷりあったので、自転車を借りてのんびり過ごせました。水牛車もとても楽しかったです！

注意点が1つ！
フェリーを降りた後、西表島ツアーのクルーズ船乗り場が「ツアー専用」と「一般利用者用」の2つあることがわかりました。
特に案内がなかったため売店で聞いたところ、一般用を教えていただき、結局ツアーのクルーズに乗り遅れそうに…。
最初からもう少し丁寧な案内があれば、迷わず安心して乗れると思います。

On Ishigaki Island, I experienced stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) among the mangroves and snorkeling in the ocean filled with coral reefs. While paddling slowly along the calm river, I was able to feel the nature of the mangroves up close, which was very soothing. At first, it was a bit challenging to maintain my balance, but the staff kindly taught me how to ride and gave me tips, allowing me to enjoy it with peace of mind.

During snorkeling, the clear waters revealed a vibrant array of fish and beautiful coral reefs, creating a sense of entering another world. The staff were always attentive and very kind, making it easy for a first-timer like me to participate without any anxiety. This experience on Ishigaki Island was not only a chance to appreciate the richness of nature but also to feel the warmth of the people, making it truly special.

石垣島では、マングローブの中でSUPと、珊瑚礁が広がる海でシュノーケリングを体験しました。SUPでは、静かな川をゆっくり進みながら、両側に広がるマングローブの自然を間近で感じることができ、とても癒されました。最初はバランスを取るのが少し難しかったですが、スタッフさんが丁寧に乗り方やコツを教えてくださり、安心して楽しむことができました。シュノーケリングでは、透き通った海の中に色とりどりの魚や美しい珊瑚礁が広がっていて、まるで別の世界に入ったような感動がありました。スタッフさんも常に気を配ってくださり、とても親切で、初めてでも不安なく参加できました。自然の豊かさだけでなく、人の温かさも感じられる、石垣島ならではの素晴らしい体験になりました。

The photographer was kind and easy to talk to, making the time fly by. The starry sky was beautiful, and I'm currently waiting for the photos, but I'm really looking forward to them.

カメラマンさんが親切で会話しやすく、時間が過ぎるのが早かったです。
星空も綺麗で現在は写真待ちですが、とても楽しみです。

It was a trip to Ishigaki Island and the surrounding islands after eight years. Last time, it rained almost every day during my stay. This time, I was greeted with the expected cobalt blue sea, white sandy beaches, and white clouds in the blue sky. The sightseeing boat that navigated through the mangrove forest of Nakama River was refreshing. The hotel shuttle, the experience with the water buffalo cart timed with the ferry service connecting the islands, and the lunch arrangements all went smoothly without any waiting on the return journey. This level of efficiency is truly remarkable and unique to Japan. I thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant time in the south.

８年振りの石垣島や周辺離島への旅でした。前回は滞在中のほぼ全日に亘っての
降雨続き。今回は期待通りのコバルトブルーの海と白い砂浜や青空の中の白い雲。
仲間川マングローブ林を進む遊覧ボートは涼風爽やかでした。ホテルへの送迎，島々を結ぶフェリー船の運航に合わせるかの水牛車体験や昼食手配，帰路も待つことなく
スムーズに運航されて行くのは日本ならではの見事さでした。無駄時間皆無。
南の心地良い時間を堪能させていただきました。

Before departure, they provided a detailed explanation that was easy to understand, and we received colored participant stickers for each course to attach to our chests. These sticker colors indicated the different activities such as the Nakagawa Cruise, bus rides, water buffalo cart rides, and ferry boarding, allowing for smooth transitions without getting lost during the experiences.

However, there was one issue: I had chosen the cycling course on Taketomi Island, but upon arriving at Taketomi Port, there were many bike rental vendors, and I was confused about which shuttle bus to take.

Overall, the day went smoothly, and I had a fun experience. I believe this is a highly recommended tour that provides satisfaction.

出発前に詳細な説明を分かりやすくして頂き、コース毎に色が違う参加シールを胸等に貼ります。このコース毎のシールカラーにより、仲間川クルーズ、バス乗車、水牛車乗車、フェリー乗船、の案内があるのでスムーズに迷うことなく移動・体験ができました。
ただ一つ困った事は、竹富島ではサイクリングコースを選択していたのですが、竹富港都到着してサイクリング貸出業者が多く、どの送迎車に乗ればいいのか迷ってしまいました。
全体的には一日スムーズに事が運び楽しく体験ができ、満足できるおすすめツアーだと思います。

The weather was nice. The forecast said the waves were 1.5 meters. The ferry from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island had quite a bit of vertical rocking. The window seats were popular, and by the time I boarded the ferry, all the window seats were taken, leaving only the middle seats available. I didn't wear a life jacket, as the middle seemed less likely to sway. For the mangrove cruise on the Nakama River, it seems better to sit on the right side facing the direction of travel. This cruise was very satisfying. The bus from the mangroves to Yubu Island was also enjoyable, as the driver shared some funny stories. Once we arrived at Yubu Island, we were assigned to water buffalo carts, and I think the satisfaction level would be quite different depending on whether you sit on the buffalo side or the opposite side. It was nice to have just under an hour for free time on Yubu Island to relax. I took a photo with Rui-kun (the water buffalo), had lunch, and while I was taking pictures of hibiscus flowers, time ran out, and I couldn't explore the whole area. It was April, but it was hot. There are windbreak forests on the outer side of the island, so it was almost windless inside the island. Summer might be tough. From Yubu Island to Iriomote Island, we took the water buffalo cart again, then a bus to the ferry terminal, and from there, the ferry to Taketomi Island. I chose the water buffalo plan on Taketomi Island, but honestly, renting a bicycle would have been fine. Riding the water buffalo twice on Yubu Island and then again on Taketomi Island (by the way, you can't just hop on immediately; there's a pointless waiting time at the water buffalo cart company) left me with awkwardly leftover time where I couldn't do anything. Also, walking from the center of the island to the ferry terminal takes about 25 minutes, so it's better to take the bus from the water buffalo cart company to the ferry terminal, but it runs about every 30 minutes and doesn't connect with the ferry schedule, resulting in unnecessary waiting time at the ferry terminal. My satisfaction level for Taketomi Island was low, so I think a plan without Taketomi Island or a bicycle rental plan would be better. The timing for the water buffalo cart bus on Taketomi Island was really off.

Even though this is a tour, it feels fragmented with different operators, so the connections are not great.

It requires physical stamina. I thought it wouldn't be too tiring since there was a lot of moving around and not much walking, but I ended up feeling quite tired. The clientele was mostly middle-aged women, and they were quite loud. Especially on Taketomi Island, there were people who looked like punks smoking tattoos nearby, and since they were people I wouldn't normally interact with, it made me feel uncomfortable. Is there no designated smoking area on Taketomi Island?

天気は良い日でした。波は1.5mと天気予報で言っていました。石垣島→西表島のフェリーは結構縦揺れしました。窓側が人気でフェリーに乗船した時点で窓側は満席で真ん中の椅子しか空いていませんでした。救命胴衣は着用しませんでした。真ん中の方が揺れなさそうでした。仲間川のマングローブクルーズは進行方向右側に座る方が良さそうです。このクルーズは大満足でした。マングローブから由布島に向かうバスもちょこちょこ運転手さんが面白い話をしてくれるので楽しかったです。由布島に着いたら水牛車に振り分けられるのですが牛側と牛の逆側だと満足度がだいぶ違うと思います。由布島の自由行動はあと1時間弱あればゆっくりできてよかったです。ルイくん(水牛)と写真撮ってお昼ごはん食べて、ハイビスカスの写真を撮っていたら時間が来てしまって全体を回れませんでした。あと4月でしたが暑い。島の外側に防風林があるので島内はほぼ無風。夏はきついんじゃないかな。由布島→西表島はまた水牛車、その後バスでフェリー乗り場まで、フェリーで竹富島へ。竹富島では水牛プランを選びましたが、ぶっちゃけレンタサイクルで良いです。由布島で2回水牛に乗るのと、竹富島で水牛に乗っている(ちなみにすぐに乗れる訳ではなくて無意味に水牛車の会社で待ち時間があります)と残る時間が中途半端で何もできませんでした。また島の中心部からフェリー乗り場まで歩くと25分ほどかかるので水牛車の会社からフェリー乗り場まで出ているバスに乗った方が良いですが、約30分間隔ですし、フェリーの時間に接続していないのでフェリー乗り場で無駄に待ち時間があります。竹富島の満足度は低かったので、竹富島なしのプランor竹富島レンタサイクルプランがいいと思います。竹富島の水牛車のバスは本当に時間が微妙でした。
これ、ツアーといっても細切れで事業者が変わっていくだけなので、接続は微妙です。

体力が必要です。移動が多く歩かないのでそんなにしんどくないかなと思っていましたが普通に疲れました。客層は中年女性が多く、うるさかったです。とくに竹富島ではタトューでタバコ吸ってるヤンキーみたいな人が近くにいて普段関わらない人たちだったので、嫌な気分になりました。竹富島では喫煙エリアとか無いのでしょうか？

I enjoyed the service in every situation, as it was pleasant and the explanations were thorough, allowing me to have a worry-free experience. I felt the prices were reasonable considering the quality and effort involved.

どの場面でも気持ちいい接客で説明も丁寧で不安なく楽しめました
料金も内容と手間や不安を考えても安いと感じました