All Reviews for Japan Winter Tours 2025

In mid-March, I participated with my friend and my one-year-old son. The tour staff were all very cheerful and kind, and they were considerate of my son. Although it was our first time on a boat, we felt very safe and comfortable. We encountered whales four times in total, and on two occasions, we were able to see them right in front of us as they spouted water and raised their tails before diving, which was an overwhelming and thrilling experience. It was truly a precious experience, and I was able to feel the greatness of nature. While waiting for the whales to appear, we were taught various facts about them, which was very educational. During the waiting time, we were able to relax on the boat, enjoying the vast ocean and the scenery, which provided a wonderful escape from everyday life. For those who are prone to seasickness or lack confidence, I recommend taking motion sickness medication. It would be very unfortunate if such an emotional and thrilling experience turned into a time of discomfort, so even if you think you'll be fine, it might be a good idea to take the medication as a precaution.

3月中旬に友人と1歳になる息子と参加しました。
ツアーのスタッフさんは皆様とても明るく優しく息子の事にも気を遣ってくれました。そのためはじめての船でしたがとても安心して過ごすことができました。クジラには計4回遭遇できましてそのうち2回はほんとに目の前で潮吹き尻尾上げて潜っていく姿を見ることができ感動と感激の嵐でした。本当に貴重な体験をすることができやっぱり自然の素晴らしさと言うものを感じることができました。またクジラが出てくる間などはいろいろなクジラに関する知識を教えてくださりとても勉強になりました。クジラが出てくる間の待ち時間も船の上で大海原で原理にメールしまなどを見ながらまったりと過ごすことができ非日常な時間を過ごすことができました。船酔いをされる方またちょっと自信がない方は酔い止めを飲まれることをおすすめしますせっかくの感動感激な体験が気持ち悪い時間となってしまうのはとても残念に思いますのでぜひ自分は大丈夫だと思っても保険と思って酔い止めを飲んでおいていただくけると良いんじゃないかと思います。

Even though I didn't get to see any whales, I joined the cruise hoping to enjoy it. However, we were confined to fixed seats inside the boat for nearly three hours without standing up except for using the restroom. Perhaps due to the cold, the interior was closed off with a vinyl windbreak, and we returned to Naha without ever seeing the ocean from the deck. It felt like torture for those three hours. Even if we couldn't see any whales, I wished they would have stopped the boat for a break so we could stretch our bodies or get some fresh air on deck. I think they should consider having a guide provide attractions inside the boat like on a bus tour, show videos, or suggest ways to prevent seasickness. If everyone just stays silent on the boat, they will all get seasick. We were fine because we took motion sickness medication, but everyone else seemed to be struggling.

クジラを見られなくても、クルーズを楽しむつもりで参加しましたが、船内は固定席で、トイレ以外立ち上がることもなく、寒さのためかビニールの風除けのシートで閉じられた船内に3時間近く拘束され、途中デッキから海原を見ることもなく、那覇に帰港しました。拷問のような3時間でした。クジラが見られなくても、船をとめて休憩し、身体のストレッチをしたり、新鮮な空気を吸いにデッキに出して欲しかった。バス旅行のように中でガイドさんがアトラクションをするとか、映像を流すとか、酔い止めの方法を考えてあげるべきではないかとおもいます。ずっと、だまって船に乗っていれば皆んな船酔いするよね。私たちは酔い止めの薬を飲んでいたので大丈夫でしたが、みんな大変そうでした。

I participated on January 10, slightly earlier than peak season. I was able to see the whales jump about six times, which was amazing. If I could wish for anything, I would have liked to see the whales from a closer distance.

The staff's explanation about the signs of the whales appearing was also great. The whales jump in an instant and then dive back into the sea, so you can't afford to miss it. Thank you for the wonderful memories.

ピークよりやや早目の1月10日に参加しました。
クジラのジャンプが6回ほど見れて最高でした。
欲を言えば、もう少し近い距離からクジラを見たかったです。

スタッフさんのクジラが出てくる前触れの解説も良かったです。クジラは一瞬でジャンプしてまた海の中に入っていってしまうので見逃しては駄目だからです。
良い思い出をありがとうございました。

I couldn't see it in the morning, but I was able to see it! It was moving. It felt like we could only get as close as 30 meters. We couldn't get right next to it by boat. The total boat trip was 4 hours, so it was tiring. I went with three kids, and on the way back, everyone was asleep. Since the fatigue carries over to the next day, it might be better not to schedule anything for the following day. Everyone was kind and it was fun. We also got a lot of information about the whales. I'm glad I went!

午前中は見れなかったらしいのですが、
見れました！感動です。
30m先までしか近づけない感じでした。
船で隣まで近づくってことはないです。
合計4時間の船旅なので、疲れます。
子供３人と行きましたが、帰りは全員寝てました。
次の日も疲れ引きずるので次の日は予定を入れない方がいいかもしれないです。
みなさん親切で楽しいです。クジラの情報もたくさん得られます。行って良かった！

As we were nearing the return to port and a sense of resignation was settling in, we spotted a whale! I'm glad we were able to see it. The staff's assistance was also great, and we had a wonderful time.

もう帰港が間近になって半ば諦めムードが漂う中、クジラ発見！
観る事が出来て良かったです。
スタッフの方のアテンドも良く楽しむ事が出来ました。

Thanks to the detailed explanations and the great vibes from the staff, it was the best experience. It was my first time whale watching, and they kindly explained what the highlights would be. Since it's a long boat trip, I recommend that those who are prone to seasickness prepare some motion sickness medication.

丁寧な解説といいバイブスのスタッフのおかげで、最高の経験になりました。
ホエールウォッチングは初めてでしたが、どんなポイントが見所なのか、丁寧に教えてくれました。
長い船旅ですので、船酔いしやすい方は酔い薬を準備しておくことをオススメします。

I took the opportunity to participate since the period for whale sightings is limited. I was worried about seasickness, so I took some motion sickness medication before boarding the boat and arrived at the whale watching point. While overlooking the vast ocean, we waited on the deck for the whales to appear, but whether they show up or not is a matter of luck. In a way, I think it was a valuable experience!

せっかくの機会だし、クジラが現れてくれる期間も決まってるとの事なので参加させて頂きました。
船酔いが心配だったので酔い止めを飲んで参加し、船に乗ってホエールウォッチングポイントへ到着。
大海原を見渡しながら、クジラの出現を甲板上で待つ訳ですが、現れる、見える、見えたは運次第です。
ある意味、貴重な体験をしたとも思います！

There was a shuttle service to the hotel, making it easy to participate. They provided a thorough explanation of the points for whale watching, which was great. The boat swayed more than I expected, but I thought it was a good experience for those who love the ocean. After it ended, they kindly provided a shuttle to my desired location, which was very helpful.

ホテルまでの送迎があり、参加しやすかった。
クジラを見るポイントを、丁寧に説明いただいたので良かった。
思った以上に船が揺れるので、海好きには良い企画と思った。
終了後、希望する場所まで送迎していただき、大変助かった。

I saw a whale jumping up close!
I guess it's called vertical jumping?
It was very moving!!
After that, I was able to see it jump again!

The captain talked in detail about whales, and I really appreciate how he moved the boat around to find them.

I didn't expect to feel such emotion during my first whale watching experience.
Thank you very much.

間近でクジラが飛び上がるのを見ました！
縦にジャンピングというのかな？
とても感動でした！！
そのあと、またジャンプする姿を見れました！

クジラについてとても詳しくお話ししてくださるし、船長さんがクジラを探してホントにポイントをたくさん動いて下さって、感謝です！

初めてホエールウォッチングに参加して、こんな感動できるとは思いませんでした。
ありがとうございました。

Even from the TV images, I couldn't grasp the size of the whale until I saw it in person. I was able to truly experience its enormity! I saw the tails, flippers, sides, backs, and heads of the mother and baby whales. The boat smoothly approached the whales, and I felt the splash of water on my face, creating a wonderful memory that surpassed the videos I took on my phone. The two instructors were so cool and reliable, it felt like a waste to just call them "ladies." Their veteran presence brought a sense of security, and their fun whale talks created a friendly atmosphere on the crowded boat. I'm really glad I chose this tour. I definitely want everyone to experience this excitement!

TV画像で見ても、数値を家に落としても実感出来なかったクジラのデカさを
シッカリ見て体感出来ました◎
クジラ親子の尾も手ビレも脇腹も背も頭も見て来ました。船はするするクジラに接近するので、クジラの水しぶきがハラッと顔にかかり、携帯に撮れた動画より素敵な思い出になってます。2人のインストラクターさんが、女子にしとくの 勿体無い程カッコよく、男らしく頼もしくて素敵でした。ベテランさんの放つ安心感、楽し〜クジラトークで他人だらけの船内は和気あいあいの雰囲気になり、こちらのツアーを選んで良かったです。
是非是非 この興奮を皆さんも体験してほしいです！

It was rainy from the morning of the day. Once we boarded and headed offshore, we were lucky to encounter a mother and calf whale early on! We couldn't see any jumps, but that's just how whales are. For safety, we had to sit on the floor outside the boat, which left our feet soaked, so I recommend wearing a longer poncho. Since you'll be returning with your makeup smudged and wet clothes, I suggest opting for a hotel pickup!

当日は朝から雨模様。乗船し沖合に出ると早い時間に母子のクジラに遭遇！ラッキー。ジャンプなどは見ることはできませんでしたが、クジラの気分次第なので致し方ありません。船外では安全のため体育座りで見学するため、足がずぶ濡れになってしまうので、長めのポンチョの着用をお勧めします。お化粧崩れ＆濡れた衣服を着たまま帰えるので、ホテル送迎付きはお勧め！

It was the first day of the season, and I wasn't expecting much since the peak viewing times are in February and March. I thought I might see them far away and small, but to my surprise, a pair of whales put on quite a show right up close several times! It became a lifelong memory! I want to participate again!

解禁初日であり、見られるピークは2月&3月とのことで、期待はしておらず、見られても遠くに小さくかな～と思っていたのですが、なんとなんと。ペアのクジラさんが、近くで何度も暴れてくれました！！一生の思い出になりました！！また参加したいです！

I participated in the course that started at 1 PM on January 4th. The boat rocked quite a bit, but we arrived at the whale point in about 30 to 40 minutes, and I was so excited to see the whales that I didn't have time to feel sick. The couple of whales jumped and played around, providing a great spectacle. The staff was very kind and gave clear explanations, so I had a really enjoyable time.

1／4午後1時からのコースに参加しました。
船はかなり揺れましたが、クジラポイントに着くまで30〜40分くらいで着き、クジラを見たら興奮して気持ち悪いと感じる暇がなかったです。
カップルのクジラが飛んだり跳ねたり、色々な動きをしてくれて、見応えがありました。
スタッフの方もとても親切でわかりやすい説明があったので、とても楽しい時間を過ごす事が出来ました。

I was grateful for the shuttle service and that solo participation was allowed. Since the season is still early and I had already had a good experience before, I came with a mindset that it would be lucky if we got to see anything. The winter sea is definitely rough, so I prepared with motion sickness medication and a raincoat. Many people got very seasick and it was unfortunate to see them vomiting. The staff responded quickly to help them. I managed to cope with the swaying by using my own method of dealing with seasickness, so I was fine. The whales didn't appear at first, but I thought it was nice to see the rainbows that appeared every time the spray shot up. Just when I thought that, we spotted a whale right before returning to port! The boat happened to be in the best position, and we got to see the beautiful back and tail fin as it surfaced! It was moving. Since I had a schedule that required me to head directly to the airport, I asked if I could leave my luggage in the car, and they kindly stopped by a station on the way. Thank you for a wonderful time.

送迎があり一人参加OKで助かりました。まだシーズンは早いですし、一度充分会えたことがありましたので、出てきてくれたらラッキーくらいの気持ちで参りました。冬の海は絶対荒れるので酔い止めと合羽の完全防備で臨みました。皆さん、ひどく酔って吐いて気の毒でした。スタッフのかたが迅速に対応して下さっていました。私は揺れに下半身だけで対応するという自己流の船酔い対策姿勢をとっていたので平気でした。クジラさんは現れず、飛沫が激しく上がるたびに現れる虹を眺めて、虹が何回も見れただけで良かったと思おうとしたら、帰港直前で発見！船がたまたまベストポジションとなり、浮上した背中と潜水の美しい尾ビレが見れました！感動しました。直接、空港に向かわないといけなスケジュールでしたので、荷物を車に預かっていただき、無理を言って通りがかりの駅に寄っていただきました。素晴らしい時間をありがとうございました。

I signed up for the tour because it promised a full refund guarantee if whales were not sighted, but the tour representative told me it was not within the refund guarantee period. In reality, I didn't see any whales and received no refund, which feels like being deceived.

クジラが見えない場合は、全額返金保証ありとあって申込みしたのにツアー担当者より返金保証期間ではないとのことでした。実際、クジラは見えず返金もなく騙され感じです。

I'm glad the weather improved, but for someone like me who isn't used to being on a boat, the waves seemed quite high. However, despite the height of the waves, the rocking was minimal and it felt safe. The staff took great care of those who were prone to seasickness.

As for the main event, the whale watching, they seemed quite skilled at it and accurately located and communicated the position of the whales.

天気が回復して良かったけれど
船に乗り慣れていない私には波が高かった様に
思われましたが、波の高さの割には揺れも少なく
安全でした。
スタッフが良く船酔いの方の面倒見良く介抱しておられました。

本題のクジラのウオッチングにも長けていられる様で
クジラの位置を的確に捉え伝えてくれました。

I participated with a group of four girls. I had heard that large cruise ships are less likely to cause seasickness, but two out of the four of us ended up feeling sick and wanted to return to land. Hearing that they were throwing up made me a little happy and boosted my spirits! I was glad to see a new side of my friends!

The whales were cute.

女子４人組みで参加しました。
大型客船なので酔いにくいと聞いていましたが、４人中２人は酔ってしまい、陸に帰りたがっていました。吐いていると聞いてちょっと嬉しくなってしまい、テンションが上がりました！
友達の新しい面を見れて嬉しかったです！

くじらは可愛かったです。

I was moved! It was a different kind of real experience compared to an aquarium! The weather was also favorable, and there was hardly any rocking of the boat!

感動しました！
水族館とは違うリアル感動でした！
天候にも恵まれ船の揺れもほとんどありませんでした！

Thank you for your help. It was pouring rain and the waves were rough, making it difficult to even sit down, and I was really wondering if we would see any whales. But to my surprise!! Whales started appearing here and there. It was truly moving. Thank you very much.

お世話になりました。凄い雨で波が荒くて、座ってるのも大変な中本当にクジラを見れるの かな と 思っていたら､びくっくり！！クジラがあちらこちらで見えて来ました。もう感動 感動でした。ありがとうございましたm(__)m

We went whale watching off the coast of the Kerama Islands. I think the one hour of slow cruising to search for whales has a high possibility of causing seasickness. I felt that taking motion sickness medication is essential. Since we are dealing with nature, it's hard to predict the necessary time. We departed at 9 AM and returned at 1 PM, but it took longer than expected, so we had to reduce the number of sightseeing spots.

慶良間列島の沖合まで出てホエールウォッチングをしました。
クジラを探すため低速クルージングしている１時間が船酔いする可能性が高いと思われます。酔い止めは必須と感じました。
自然が相手なので必要な時間が読めません。我々は9時出港で13時帰港となったのですが、予想よりも時間がかかったので観光する場所を減らさざるを得なくなりました。

I've loved whales since I was young, and I wanted to see one up close at least once in my life, so I participated in this tour. Since they are wild animals, I listened to the guide's explanation that encountering them depends on luck, which made me nervous, but fortunately, we encountered a mother and her calf. I've seen footage on TV, but seeing them in person was incredibly moving. The kids were also thrilled! If you're not good on boats, it might be a good idea to take some motion sickness medication beforehand.

昔からクジラが好きで、一生のうちで一回は間近でクジラを見てみたくて参加しました。自然の生き物なので、時期的に遭遇出来るかは運だとガイドさんの説明を聞いて、ドキドキしましたが、幸運にも親子のクジラに遭遇できました。テレビなどで映像は見たことがありましたが、やはり実物は最高に感動しました。子供たちも大喜びしてました～。船が苦手な方は事前に酔い止めの薬を飲んでおいたほうがいいかもです。

I traveled to Okinawa with two friends in March for a two-night, three-day trip. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see much of the beautiful ocean due to the weather. However, on the last day, which was our whale watching day, the weather was perfect. The guide was very friendly and made the experience enjoyable.

At first, I was worried that we wouldn't see any whales, but we were able to see them clearly. It was also memorable to see a mother and baby whale together.

There were many people on the boat, including not only Japanese tourists but also a lot of foreign tourists, such as those from China. Since it had been rainy for several days, the waves were a bit high, and it seemed that more than half of the foreign tourists were seasick. However, our group had no issues. I tend to get motion sickness easily, so I took some medication beforehand, which helped. I recommend that anyone who is worried about seasickness take some medication as well.

Overall, it was a satisfying tour with good weather and no seasickness.

3月に友人と３人で利用しました。２泊３日の沖縄旅行でしたが、天候に恵まれずあまり綺麗な海を見れていませんでした。最終日のホエールウォッチングの日だけとてもよく晴れました。ガイドのお兄さんも、とってもフレンドリーで楽しかったです。
最初は、クジラが見れなかったどうしようと思っていましたが、しっかりと見ることができました。また、親子のクジラを見ることができたのも印象深かったです。
船には多くの人が乗っていて、日本人だけでなく中国人観光客など外国人が多かったです。雨の日が続いていたこともあり、若干波が高かったこともあり外国人の観光客の方の半分以上が船酔いしていたようでしたが、私たちグループは問題ありませんでした。もともと、酔いやすいタイプなので事前に酔い止めを飲んで防げたので、心配な方は酔い止めを服用するといいと思います。
船酔いすることもなく、いい天気で楽しいツアーだったので満足です。

I met a whale. I was able to take great photos and videos with my smartphone. I found myself wanting to get closer, see it bigger, and for longer, but I was satisfied to see its back swimming multiple times and to witness it spouting water. I was worried about seasickness, but I had no problems at all. I would like to participate again.

クジラに会いました。スマホで写真も動画もばっちり取れました。もっと近くで、もっと大きく、もっと長く、と欲が出ますが、何度も泳いでいる背中を見て、潮を吹くところも見られたので満足です。船酔いが心配でしたが、全く問題ありませんでした。また参加したいです。

Encountered a mother and baby whale. The captain can tell how fast they dive underwater! The boat runs parallel to the whale, and when it dives and comes up again, it often appears very close to the boat. Of course, being a professional, that's to be expected, but I was thrilled to spend quite a long time with the mother and baby whale, sometimes as close as 20 to 30 meters from the boat.

The catamaran was sturdy against the waves, but it rocked quite a bit until we got closer to the Kerama Islands. According to my partner, nearly half of the passengers were using bags for motion sickness. The only ones left on the upper deck, cheering, were middle-aged men. I, who felt no motion sickness at all, had an emotional whale watching experience.

親子のクジラに遭遇。
水中に潜っているスピードが船長さんはわかるんですねぇ！
クジラと並行して船を走らせるのですが、クジラが潜って次に出てくる時に、殆ど船の近くに出現するんです。
勿論プロだから、と言ってしまえばそうなんでしょうが、ずいぶんと長い時間を親子のクジラと一緒に、しかも近い時には船から20～30ｍの近さで見られて感激しました。
揺れに強いカタマラン船でしたが慶良間諸島に近づくまでに結構揺れて、私の相方に言わせればほぼ半数近くの方々が袋を口にされていたそうです。
揺れの大きな屋上デッキに残って歓声を上げていたのは、すべて中高年の男性ばかり。
全く酔いのなかった私は、感動のホエールウォッチングでした。

There were quite a few foreign tourists on the tour. The boat was rocking quite a bit, but I didn't see anyone getting seasick. The guide was really good at spotting whales, and it was great to see a mother and calf whale. It was my first time whale watching, so I'm glad I got to see them.

ツアーは外国人の方がわりと多めだったかな？船はけっこう揺れてたけど、酔ってる人は特に見当たらなかったですね。ガイドさんがホエールをめっちゃ探してくれて、親子のホエールも見れてよかったです。初めてのホエールウォッチングだったので見れてよかったです。

I was able to see parent and baby whales and jumping scenes!! I experienced a bit of seasickness, but it was an emotional experience tour.

親子のクジラやジャンプシーンも見ることが出来ました！！少々船酔いしましたが、感動の体験ツアーでした。

I heard that you couldn't see it the day before, but I was able to see it when I boarded. Also, the guide and captain did a great job searching, and we were able to see it multiple times, which was fantastic.

前日は見れなかったと言っていたが、私が乗った時には見れました。
また、ガイド＆船長が良く探して何度も見ることが出来て大変良かったです。

I was told by a friend who loves Okinawa that when the sea is rough, the chances of encountering whales increase because they are active in the water. That was exactly the case; there were huge waves about 3 meters high, and we were able to see a mother and calf whale.

However, many people were vomiting. Those who are prone to seasickness might want to think twice about going.

海が荒れているときはクジラが海の中で運動しているから遭遇率は上がるって沖縄好きの友人に言われました。
まさにその通り、３ｍくらいの大波ですごい揺れでしたが母子クジラが見れました。

ただ人間は嘔吐多数でした。
船酔いの自身のない人は自重した方がいいかもしれません。

This was my first experience with whale watching. The day before, I received kind and detailed instructions about the meeting place over the phone, which made everything go smoothly.

Just to be safe, I took anti-nausea and motion sickness medication, and I was fully prepared for departure! The guide shared four methods to avoid getting seasick: 1) Look at distant, stationary objects like islands. 2) Don't yawn. 3) Talk a lot. 4) Sleep.

After practicing these tips, we arrived near the Kerama Islands in about an hour. Suddenly, the guide shouted loudly that a whale had been spotted, and there was applause and cheers. We chased after a solitary humpback whale, catching glimpses of its tail a few times, and even saw it jump at the end. However, it was a bit disappointing that everything was at a distance and lacked the thrill I had hoped for.

According to the guide, the weather was nice and the waves were calm today, yet nearly 20% of the participants still got seasick. I think those who are unsure should carefully consider whether to participate. I also got sunburned, and the marks from my watch were quite noticeable. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Despite that, I had a very enjoyable time. Thank you!

ホエールウォッチング初挑戦。前日に電話で親切、丁寧に集合場所を教えて頂いて、スムーズに行くことができました。
念のため、吐き気止め、酔い止めを服用し、準備万端、いざ出航！
ガイドさんから、酔わないための4つの方法がありました。①島などの遠くの動かないものを見る。②あくびをしない。③よくしゃべる。④寝る。
これらを実践しながら1時間ほどで慶良間諸島付近に到着。
しばらくすると突然ガイドさんが、大きな声でクジラ発見‼︎と吠え、拍手喝采。単独のザトウクジラを追いかけて、数回、尾を見て、最後にジャンプまで。しかしながら、どれも距離が遠く、迫力に欠けたのが残念でした。
ガイドさんいわく、今日は天気も良く、波も穏やか、と言いつつも、2割近くの方が酔っていました。自信のない方は、よく考えて参加を決めた方が良いと思います。日焼けもし、時計の痕がくっきり。日焼け止めも忘れずに！
それでも、とても楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。ありがとうございました。

I was able to see the whales clearly. I was satisfied to see their tails multiple times. However, the boat sways quite a bit, so I think it's important not to let your guard down just because you are used to motion sickness from regular cruises or sightseeing boats. If you participate, you should definitely take measures against seasickness. Especially on the return route after whale watching, you should not let your guard down.

By the way, it seems that there is no drink service on this tour, so I think it's better to bring your own drinks.

クジラはしっかりと見れました。何度も尻尾を見ることができ、満足できます。ただ、船は非常に揺れますので、「通常のクルーズや遊覧船で船酔いには慣れている」と思って油断するのは禁物だと思います。参加するならしっかりと船酔い対策はするべきです。特にクジラを鑑賞した帰りの航路で油断してはいけません。
ちなみに、このツアーには飲み物のサービスなるものはないようですので、飲み物を持参したほうがいいかと思います。