All Reviews for Outdoor Activities

I participated in a night tour on Iriomote Island for the first time. The course took us through two locations: the jungle and the seaside, allowing us to experience a completely different side of the island compared to during the day.

Since it was still February and quite cold, it was difficult to encounter the coconut crab and the Iriomote wildcat, but we did come across small scorpions, a rare patterned gecko, and a giant termite mound, among other creatures and subtropical plants that are not often seen.

Seeing an owl perched on the power lines is also unique to Iriomote Island. The night jungle, where we all moved forward with our lights searching for creatures, felt like a special time of exploration. Thank you, guide Macchan!

初めての西表島で、ナイトツアーに参加しました。ジャングルの中と海辺の2か所を巡るコースで、昼間とはまったく違う島の表情を体験。

まだ2月で寒かったのもありヤシガニやイリオモテヤマネコに出会うのは難しかったですが、小さなサソリや珍しい模様のヤモリ、巨大なシロアリの巣など、普段なかなか目にできない生き物や亜熱帯ならではの植物にたくさん出会えました。

電線にとまるフクロウの姿も西表島ならでは。みんなでライトを手に生き物を探しながら進む夜のジャングルは、まるで探検のような特別な時間でした。ガイドのまっちゃんさん、ありがとうございました！

I participated in a day trip from Ishigaki Island, and even with the limited time of half a day, it was a very fulfilling tour where I could fully enjoy the great nature of Iriomote Island!

During the initial mangrove canoe experience, it wasn't just about enjoying the scenery; the instructor explained the types of mangroves and various creatures in an easy-to-understand manner, allowing us to truly feel the nature of Iriomote Island.

We crossed the sea to Yubu Island by water buffalo cart. On Yubu Island, we had about an hour of free time, which was enough to enjoy taking pictures with the water buffalo. Even during the bus ride, we were introduced to many interesting facts about Iriomote Island, making the travel time enjoyable and never boring.

石垣島から日帰りで参加しましたが、半日という限られた時間でも西表島の大自然をしっかり満喫できる、とても充実したツアーでした！
最初のマングローブカヌー体験では、ただ景色を楽しむだけでなく、インストラクターの方がマングローブの種類や生き物の話などを分かりやすく教えてくださり、西表島の自然を感じることができました。
由布島へは水牛車に乗って海を渡りました。由布島では約1時間の自由時間がありましたが、水牛と写真を撮ったりと十分に楽しめました。移動中のバスでも西表島に関する豆知識をたくさん紹介していただき、移動時間も退屈することなく、終始楽しく過ごすことができました。

I visited in February! It was a cloudy day with strong winds, and the river was choppy. It seems that this time of year has a lot of rain and windy days.

The mangrove canoeing was challenging because of the wind, but it was also a fun experience in the jungle's natural environment! I was able to see the mangrove trees up close! I was amazed and moved to learn that they grow slowly and many are over 100 years old!

The sightseeing at Yubu Island, which we reached by water buffalo cart, felt like no time at all during our one-hour stay. Of course, riding the water buffalo cart was fun, and I also took pictures with the water buffalo named Rui-kun and enjoyed gelato at a tea shop, experiencing the unique offerings of Yubu Island! The entire island is like a botanical garden, and just walking around was enjoyable!

The tour guides were also entertaining, and I was able to enjoy the tour, including their stories during our travels. I would love to participate in other activities as well!

2月に訪れました！この日は曇り空に強風で、川が波立っていました。この時期は雨が多く風が強い日が多いようです。

マングローブカヌーは、風に煽られて漕ぐのが大変でしたが、それもまたジャングルの自然の体験として楽しかったです！マングローブの木を間近で見ることができました！成長が遅く、樹齢100年以上のものばかりということに驚き、感動しました！

水牛車に乗って行った由布島観光は、1時間の滞在時間があっという間でした。
水牛車に乗ることはもちろん、水牛のルイ君と写真を撮ったり、お茶屋さんでジェラートを食べたりと、由布島ならではの体験ができました！島全体が植物園になっていて、歩いているだけでも楽しかったです！

ツアーガイドの皆さまもおもしろく、移動中のお話含め、ツアーを楽しむことができました。
また他のアクティビティにも参加したいです！

I had booked an afternoon tour on February 8, but due to a record cold wave, I was discouraged by the cold and rain. When I requested to change the date, they responded very kindly.

The canoe tour the following morning became the best memory for my wife and me in five years. Our tour guide, Macchan, was very knowledgeable about Iriomote Island and taught us about the mangroves and fish, making it a very enjoyable experience beyond just the scenery.

Despite it being the day after the rain, the water was very clear, and we were able to see the fish. Handling the canoe was very easy, and even beginners can enjoy it.

After the tour, they also guided us to dining spots around Uehara Port. I would love to request their services again when we come back to Iriomote Island. It became a wonderful memory for my wife and me.

2月8日の午後ツアーを予約していたのですが、記録的な寒波のため、寒さと雨で心が折れ、日程の変更をお願いしたところ、非常に親切に対応していただきました。
翌日の午前中のカヌーツアーは、妻と5年振りの最高の思い出になりました。
ツアーガイドのまっちゃんは、西表島の知識が豊富で、マングローブの事や魚の事を教えてくれて、景色のみでは無く、非常に楽しめました。
また、雨の次の日であったのに関わらず、とても水が済んでおり、魚が見ることができました。
カヌーの取り扱いは、非常に簡単で、初めてでも楽しめます。
それとツアー後には、上原港周辺の食事どころの案内してくれました。
また、西表島に来る際は、お願いしたいと思います。
妻と最高の思い出になりました。

I made my way through a dense area filled with grass that I could never have entered on my own, bending down as I pushed through the jungle. It was a truly valuable experience, feeling like I was on an adventure as I progressed in the pitch darkness, relying on the light from my flashlight. The guide found creatures unique to Iriomote Island, and during my visit, I was able to see scorpions and hermit crabs, which made me very satisfied. (It was a shame that I could only hear the owl's call nearby without seeing it!) The guide was great at storytelling, which made the experience enjoyable throughout. They provided lights and shoes, making it easy to participate, and I highly recommend it!

自力では絶対に入れないような草が生い茂ってる所から、草をかき分けて体を屈めながらジャングルの中へ。真っ暗闇の中でライトの明かりを頼りに進んでいき、本当に冒険しているような貴重な体験でした。ガイドさんが西表島ならではの生き物を見つけて下さり、私の参加回ではサソリやオカヤドカリを見ることが出来て大満足でした。（ふくろうは鳴き声だけが近くで聞こえていて、姿が見られなかったのが残念…！）
ガイドさんはお話上手でずっと楽しめました。
ライトと靴を借していただけるので気軽に参加でき、おすすめです！

It was raining, but our guide, Macchan, said, "Rain is what makes Iriomote Island!" and it got us excited! We were able to do some unexpected trekking and had a great time. Thank you!

雨でしたが、ガイドのまっちゃんが「雨こそ西表島！」と言うので盛り上がりました！思わぬところでトレッキングもでき、楽しめました。ありがとう！

私たちはタカとのツアーを非常に楽しみました。彼はとても知識が豊富で、話していて楽しかったです。日本語に加えて、彼はすべてを英語で説明してくれ、沖縄で食べた中で最高のそばを作ってくれました。素晴らしい体験をありがとう、そしてすべての幸運を祈ります。:-)

We greatly enjoyed the tour with Taka, he was very knowledgeable and fun to talk to. In addition to Japanese, he explained everything in English and cooked the best soba we had in Okinawa. Thank you for the awesome experience and all the best. :-)

I had a truly fulfilling time participating in this tour. It was my first experience paddling through the mangroves on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), and I was deeply moved as I slowly glided over the calm water, observing rare plants and creatures that are not often seen up close. The guide's explanations were clear, and I appreciated learning about nature and the formation of Iriomote Island. The water buffalo cart tour on Yubu Island also provided a unique experience, and I was very satisfied with the many photos I was able to take. I believe this tour is perfect for beginners and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

今回こちらのツアーに参加して、本当に充実した時間を過ごすことができました。マングローブの中をSUP（カヌー）で進む体験は初めてでしたが、静かな水面をゆっくり進みながら、普段なかなか見ることのできない珍しい植物や生き物を間近で観察でき、とても感動しました。ガイドさんの説明も分かりやすく、自然や西表島の成り立ちについて学べたのも良かったです。由布島の水牛車観光も非日常感があり、写真もたくさん撮れて大満足でした。初心者でも安心して参加できる内容で、心からおすすめできるツアーだと思います。

This tour is definitely satisfying for those visiting Iriomote Island for the first time! Our guide, Macchan, introduced us to many aspects of Iriomote Island, making it a wonderful memory. The mangrove canoeing was not only a chance to observe up close, but we also entered maze-like areas and took many photos, which was a lot of fun. Each water buffalo on Yubu Island had its own personality, and the guide's explanations were entertaining, keeping us engaged throughout. We were able to spend a graceful and meaningful time, and I definitely want to visit again!

初めて西表島に訪れる方は間違いなく満足できるツアーです！ガイドのまっちゃんさんが西表島について沢山紹介してくれたので、最高の思い出になりました。マングローブのカヌーは間近で観察できるだけでなく、迷路のような場所に入ったり、写真もたくさん撮っていただけてとても楽しかったです。由布島の水牛も一頭一頭に個性があり、ガイドさんの説明が面白く、終始楽しめました。優雅で有意義な時間を過ごすことができ、また絶対に訪れたいと思います！

The tour was enjoyable, but I can't deny that I was left with a sense of dissatisfaction because my expectations were too high.

Since it wasn't typhoon season, I thought the starry sky would be beautiful. Additionally, based on reviews from other sites up until December, I believed that even in winter, there would be many creatures, and while it might be difficult to see the wildcat, it was almost certain to spot the coconut crab. I wasn't aware that Yaeyama in winter often has cloudy or rainy days, and that coconut crabs hibernate during this season.

On the day of the tour, it rained, and I couldn't see a single star, nor did I encounter any coconut crabs. Although I did come across some creatures, many of them were small and didn't feel particularly rare, which made the experience feel lacking in impact. I understand that weather can affect nature, but if winter increases the likelihood of not achieving expected results, that changes the situation. I wish this had been clearly stated on the website.

However, the guide was attentive to the participants and worked hard to find creatures for us, and the experience of entering a jungle at night in winter was something I wouldn't normally get to do, so it was fun. The creatures I encountered included tropical plants, as well as crabs, frogs, scorpions, and stick insect larvae.

ツアーは楽しかったのですが、期待値が高すぎたために消化不良感が残ったのは否めません。

台風の季節ではなかったため、星空が綺麗だろうと思っていました。また、12月までの他サイトも含めたレビューから、冬でも生き物が多く、ヤマネコは難しいにしてもヤシガニはほぼ確実に見られると考えていました。
冬のやえやまは曇りや雨の日が多いこと、ヤシガニが冬眠することは知りませんでした。
当日も雨で星は1つも見られず、ヤシガニにも出会えませんでした。生き物には出会えたものの、サイズが小さいものが多く希少性を感じさせるものでもなかったため、インパクトに欠けるように感じてしまいました。
自然が相手ですので天候の影響があることはもちろん承知していますが、冬は期待通りの結果が得られない可能性が高まるとなると話が変わってくると思います。このあたりはサイトにも明記してほしかったです。

ただ、ガイドのお姉さんは参加者に気を配りながら一生懸命生き物を探してくれましたし、そもそも冬の夜のジャングルに入る体験がまず味わえないので楽しかったです。出会えた生き物は熱帯らしい植物に加え、カニやカエル、サソリ、ナナフシの幼虫などでした。

We gathered in the evening and headed towards the mountains by car. Once we got out, we searched for creatures and plants with a flashlight in hand. It felt just like an expedition. Unfortunately, it was cloudy that day, so we couldn't see the stars, but we were able to fully experience the night on Iriomote Island! We got to see coconut crabs up close and observed many unique creatures and large plants that can only be found on Iriomote Island! Then, since we had a bit of time, we drove around looking out the windows together to search for the Iriomote wildcat. Unfortunately, we didn't find any, but I think the experience of searching together was really fun and valuable. Our instructor, Komachan, had incredible knowledge and casually taught us so much that we never got bored while looking at the creatures and plants. He shared stories about the island's elders and his own experiences. It was a tour that made me want to learn more!

夜に集合して、車で山の方へ向かいました。降りてから、電気を片手に生き物や植物を探しました。まるで探検隊のような雰囲気で探しました。その日はあいにく曇りだったため、星は見えなかったのですが、夜の西表島を存分に感じることができました！ヤシガニを近くで見たり、小さな生物から大きな植物までたくさん西表島にしかないものを見ることができました！それから、少し時間があるということでイリオモテヤマネコを見つけに車を走らせながら外をじっと見てみんなで探しました。残念ながらいなかったのですが、みんなで一生懸命に探すということがすごく楽しくて貴重な経験だったと思います。インストラクターの方のこまちゃんの知識がすごくて、ラフにたくさん教えてくださるため生き物や植物を見てて全然飽きないくらい楽しかったです。島のおじいの話やその方の実体験を話してくださります。もっと知りたい！という気持ちになるツアーでした！

Due to the weather, we switched from ballast to trekking, and I was able to experience nature with all my senses! In the morning, we went trekking, and in the afternoon, we did mangrove SUP.

During the trekking, we saw a waterfall in the mountains and even did something like waterfall meditation, experiencing the great outdoors by jumping in. There were some heights that required a bit of courage to jump from, but our guide, Macchan, demonstrated techniques and provided reassurance, allowing me to jump in with confidence.

On the mangrove SUP, we got to see the mangroves of Iriomote Island up close and entered a tunnel-like area of mangroves, making me feel like I was on an adventure in the jungle. During the mangrove SUP, I learned about various birds and types of mangroves.

What is common to both activities is that Macchan, who guided us through the tours, shared a wealth of information about the plants, creatures, and locations of Iriomote Island. Personally, I didn't have much knowledge about plants and animals, but thanks to the real experiences and knowledge shared by our guide, I was able to learn a lot and found it to be incredibly profound.

I believe the charm of this activity lies not only in the experiences but also in the ability to truly feel and engage with nature.

天候により、バラストからトレッキングに変えたのですが自然を五感で感じることができました！午前はトレッキング、午後はマングローブSUPをしました。
トレッキングでは、山の中にある滝を見て滝行のようなこともしたり飛び込みで大自然を体感できました。飛び込みには少し勇気がいる高さもありましたが、案内してくれるまっちゃんがコツやデモンストレーションをしてくださるため安心して飛び込むことができました。
マングローブSUPでは、西表島のマングローブを近くで見て、マングローブのトンネルのようなところに入ってまるで私がジャングルにいるような冒険をしているような気分になれました。マングローブSUPでは、いろんな鳥やマングローブの種類について知ることができました。
二つのアクティビティに共通していることは、どのツアーも一緒に行ってくださるまっちゃんが植物や生き物、場所などたくさん西表島のことを存分に伝えてくださることです。自身、あまり植物や生物に関して知識がなかったのですが、一緒に行ってくださった方の実体験や経験、知識を存分に教えてくださるため自身の知識も身に付きましたし、すごく奥深いなと感じました。
体験だけではなく、体感できるところがこのアクティビティの魅力だと考えます。

It was cloudy, so we couldn't see the starry sky, but we ventured into the night jungle with our guide. It was truly in the jungle. You can't enter without a guide. We were able to observe sleeping birds up close. It seems that seeing a wildcat is quite rare, but we did find some footprints. The guide explained the creatures and plants, allowing us to observe animals and plants that can't be seen on the main island. There were also bananas growing, and it felt subtropical! We were able to see a coconut crab as well. It's not often that you get to enter a night jungle, so I highly recommend it!

曇りだったので星空は見えませんでしたが、ガイドさんと夜のジャングルに潜入しました。本当に、ジャングルの中です。ガイドさんと一緒でなければ入れないです。鳥が眠っていて近くで観察できました。ヤマネコはなかなか見る事は出来ないらしいですが、足跡を発見できました。ガイドさんが生き物の説明や、植物の説明をしてくださり、本島では見られない生き物や植物を観察できます。バナナもなっていて、亜熱帯でした！！ヤシガニも見る事ができました。中々夜のジャングルに入る事なんてないので、是非オススメです！！

I visited Iriomote Island for the first time. The weather was bad, so we had to skip Barasu Island and switch to trekking, but it was the right decision, and I had an amazing experience. I was very happy to be able to experience the same place that Debi from Itte Q visited!

The guide was fantastic and very kind, and he really made the experience enjoyable. Matsuchan, our guide, made me feel great, and even though I was scared, I jumped into the river and successfully went trekking at the age of 52. The stories about the real life of Matsuchan and the locals, as well as tales from the island's elders, were fascinating. The mangrove canoeing was also incredible and very beautiful. You absolutely should experience it!

西表島は初めて訪問しました。気候が悪くバラス島は無しになり、トレッキングに変更になりましたが、変えて正解で最高な体験ができました。イッテQでデビ夫人が行かれた所と一緒の場所を体験でき、とても嬉しかったです！
そして、ガイドさんが最高で優しく、盛り上げてくださいました。ガイドの松ちゃんがとても良い気分にさせてくれて、怖かったけど川に飛び込んだり、無事に52歳ですがトレッキングする事ができました。松ちゃん達が住んでいるリアルな話や、島のおじいの話など面白かったです。マングローブのカヌーも最高でとても綺麗でした。絶対に体験した方が良いです！

I made a reservation for the night of New Year's Day 2026. Unfortunately, due to the weather, I couldn't see the starry sky that I was looking forward to, but I was able to explore at night without getting rained on. To my surprise, I got to see the coconut crab, which is quite rare to find on a cold day! I also saw hermit crabs and stick insects that are listed in the Iriomote guidebook, as well as a scorpion's exoskeleton! I was able to see many things I had never seen before, and the sounds of the insects at night and walking along the beach made for a very enjoyable tour. I definitely want to participate again next time to see the starry sky!

2026のスタート元旦の夜に予約しました。
あいにくの空模様で楽しみにしていた星空は見られませんでしたが、雨にも降られずナイト探索できました。参加者のみんなが見たかったヤシガニ（寒い日に見つけれるのはかなりレアらしい！！）をまさかの見れました！！西表図鑑に載ってるヤドカリだったりナナフシだったり！蠍の抜け殻！見たことないものをたくさん見れて夜の虫の音や浜辺なども歩いてとても楽しいツアーでした。次は星空も見たいのでまた是非参加します。

At the end of January on a weekday, we were blessed with good weather and had a wonderful experience with canoeing and trekking on our trip for women aged 65 and over. Thank you, Eri, for the fun tour! 😊

1月末の平日、お天気に恵まれ65歳女子旅？でカヌーもトレッキングも素敵な体験が出来ました。
エリさんのガイドで楽しいツアー、ありがとうございました😊

This was my second time kayaking through the mangroves, and it was truly amazing 😊. The feeling of blending into nature is an experience that I believe you can't get anywhere else. I felt like I was having a relaxed conversation with our guide, Mr. Tachikawa, as if we were old friends. It felt like he was radiating negative ions! Good luck during the busy season ahead. If I have the chance to visit again, I would love to!♪

人生2回目のマングローブカヌーでしたが、やはり最高でした😊自然に溶け込む感覚は他では得られない経験と（個人的には）感じています。ガイドの立川さんとは初対面とは思えない程、ゆるく会話が弾み、人からもマイナスイオンって出ます？て感じでした。これからの繁忙期、がんばってくださいね。また伺う機会があれば、お願いします♪

I was already at maximum fatigue from participating in Pipi's tour during the day, but I was grateful that Kokoro-chan and Koma-chan frequently checked on my condition, asking if I could still walk and if I was okay.

It seems that during winter, you don't encounter many creatures, which was a bit disappointing, but I was still happy to find a frog.

The jungle was more intense than I expected, and when I was told right at the start, "Okay, let's go in here," I thought, "Huh? Here?" However, I quickly got used to it, and it was fun searching for creatures with a light in one hand.

日中もpipiさんのツアーに参加していたので疲労MAXでしたが、こころちゃんとこまちゃんのお二人が、まだ歩けますか？大丈夫ですか？と私の状態をこまめに確認しながら進めてくださりありがたかったです。
冬場は生き物にあまり遭遇できないらしく、ちょっと残念ではありましたが、カエルを見つけただけでも嬉しかったです。
思ってたよりガチジャングルで、スタート直後｢じゃあここを入っていきます｣って言われたときは｢え？ここ？｣と思いましたが、すぐに慣れ、ライト片手に生き物を探すのは楽しかったです。

In the morning, I went to Yufu Island, and in the afternoon, I went canoeing on the Urauchi River. I participated alone, but everyone else was very kind, and they helped me a lot during the canoeing. I got stuck in shallow water and had trouble moving forward because of the strong wind, so it was quite chaotic. However, our guide, Macchan (Matsushita-san), supported me the whole time, and in the end, he got into my canoe, and we paddled together to safely return. There were various participants, including solo travelers, families, couples, and foreigners, and a sense of teamwork developed, making it a lot of fun.

午前中に由布島へ行き、午後から浦内川でカヌーでした。ひとり参加でしたが、他の参加者のみなさんがとても優しく、カヌー中はみなさんにたくさん助けていただきました。浅瀬で座礁したり、風が強くて前に進めなくなったりとだいぶグダグダでしたが、ガイドのまっちゃん(松下さん)がずっとフォローしてくださり、最終的には私のカヌーに乗り込んで2人で漕いで無事に帰ることができました。
1人参加、親子、夫婦、外国の方など様々いましたが、チームワークみたいなものが生まれて楽しかったです。

The guide was a friendly person and taught us a lot of interesting facts about mangroves. It was all new information for me, and I learned a lot. I was concerned about the cold weather in January, but on the day of the tour, the weather was great, and the breeze in the mangroves was gentle, making it very pleasant.

ガイドのお兄さんが気さくな方で
マングローブの豆知識をたくさん教えてくれました
初めて聞く知識ばかりでとても勉強になりました
1月で寒さや天気を懸念していましたが
当日はとても天気もよく、マングローブの中は風も緩やかで
とても心地よかったです

If you're going to Iriomote Island, you can't miss the mangroves, so I joined this one-day tour with the intention of kayaking. I was excited even before participating, and it turned out to be an incredibly satisfying experience, just as I had hoped! 🌟

It was my first time kayaking, but our guide, Macchan, was absolutely amazing!

His explanations were very clear, and he was friendly and attentive throughout. I felt safe and enjoyed myself. ☺️

The time spent navigating through the mangrove tunnel was calm and pleasant, and the scenery was truly beautiful.

On the other hand, it was a windy day, and I used a bit of energy while paddling through the tributaries. (Some women might find it challenging on their own.)

During the bus ride, he talked a lot about the island's nature and lifestyle, making what could have been just travel time into a learning experience, which was impressive! I was unexpectedly moved when I saw him doing a handstand on the SUP. Haha!

In the afternoon, we took a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island while listening to the sanshin performance, moving leisurely. 🐃 The island was quiet with few people, making it a perfect tour for my first visit to Iriomote Island!

西表島に行くならマングローブは外せないと思い、カヌー目当てでこの1日ツアーに参加しました。参加前からワクワクしていて、「自然すごそう！」という期待通り、想像以上に満足度の高い体験でした🌟

カヌーは初めてでしたが、担当ガイドのまっちゃんさんがとにかく素晴らしかったです！

説明がとてもわかりやすく、終始フレンドリーで丁寧。安心して楽しめました☺️

マングローブのトンネルを進む時間は穏やかで心地よく、景色も本当にきれいでした。

一方、この日は風が強く、支流を漕ぐ場面では少し体力を使いました。
（女性だけだと大変に感じる人もいるかもしれません）

移動中のバスでも島の自然や暮らしについてたくさん話してくれて、ただの移動時間が学びの時間になったのも印象的でした！
SUPの上で逆立ちしていたのには思わず感動しました笑

午後の由布島水牛車では、三線の演奏を聴きながらゆったり移動🐃
島内も人が少なく落ち着いて過ごせて、初めての西表島にぴったりのツアーでしたー！

This time, I was taken care of by Matt-chan on the tour. During the car ride, I was able to hear various stories about the history and nature of Iriomote Island, which deepened my understanding and allowed me to enjoy the sightseeing even more.

In the morning, we went to Yubu Island. We traveled back and forth by water buffalo. I learned that water buffalo hardly sweat, so there was no animal smell at all. They were smart, gentle, and incredibly cute. They were even cuter than I expected, and I ended up buying a lot of water buffalo merchandise at the souvenir shop on Yubu Island.

For lunch, we ate at a restaurant recommended by Matt-chan, and in the afternoon, we enjoyed a mangrove canoe experience. They took tour photos with the mangroves in the background. The canoe did get my backside wet, but I was able to take a shower at the end. Since it was winter, the water was a bit cold, but as long as I wore a long-sleeved shirt, I didn't feel cold even with the wind blowing. Surrounded by the wide river and mangroves, I felt the pleasant breeze and negative ions, fully enjoying the great outdoors. It was the best!

今回、担当のまっちゃんさんにツアーでお世話になりました。車の移動中には西表島の歴史や自然についてのお話をいろいろ聞けて、理解が深まりより西表島観光を楽しむことがでしました。

午前は由布島へ。水牛で往復しました。水牛は汗をほぼかかないそうで、全く獣臭がなくて賢くて穏やかでとっても可愛かったです。
思っていたより可愛すぎて、由布島のお土産屋さんで沢山水牛グッズを買ってしてしまいました。

お昼には、まっちゃんさんおすすめのご飯屋さんで昼食をとり、午後からはマングローブカヌーを楽しみました。
マングローブを背景にツアー写真を撮ってくださいました。カヌーはお尻がぬれますが、最後にシャワーを浴びれました。冬なので少し水は冷たいですが、長袖を1枚着ていれば風が吹いても寒くなかったです。
マングローブに囲まれた広い川の真ん中で心地よい風やマイナスイオンを感じ、大自然を満喫できました。最高でした。

Since we were in a small group, it was great to proceed while carefully observing our surroundings. Perhaps due to the season, the number of animals we encountered was honestly on the lower side, but I was very happy to finally meet the coconut crab, which I had longed to see. On the other hand, during the moments when we were trying to spot animals, there were more guests than instructors, which sometimes made me feel a bit lacking in knowledge. However, the staff maintained a pleasant atmosphere throughout, and their explanations were thorough, making it an overall enjoyable and relaxed night tour.

少人数グループで行動するスタイルだったので、周囲をじっくり観察しながら進めたのが良かったです。季節柄なのか、出会える動物の数は正直少なめでしたが、念願だったヤシガニに会えたのはとても嬉しい体験でした。一方で、動物を見つける場面ではインストラクターよりお客側の方が多く、やや知見不足を感じることもありました。ただ、スタッフの雰囲気は終始よく、説明も丁寧で、全体としては和やかで楽しく参加できるナイトツアーでした。

Due to bad weather, snorkeling was canceled and we switched to mangrove kayaking. It was really cold with strong winds and rain, but the instructor was cheerful and reliable, which made it easy to participate without any worries. For lunch, they kindly offered to drive us to a local diner on the island when we expressed our preferences, which was great. Although we couldn't do the waterfall descent during canyoning, we were able to experience jumping into the water at various spots, which made the kids very happy. They also took safety precautions seriously, which was reassuring. The only downside was that the photos were sent late, and we had to follow up for them, but overall, it was a memorable experience.

悪天候でシュノーケルは中止となり、マングローブカヤックに変更。強風と雨で本当に寒かったですが、インストラクターさんが明るく頼り甲斐があり、不安なく参加できました。昼食は希望を伝えると島の定食屋さんまで車で送迎してくれる心遣いも◎。キャニオニングは滝降りこそできなかったものの、各所で滝つぼドボンを体験できて子供も大喜び。安全配慮もしっかりしていて安心でした。写真送付が遅く、催促後の対応だった点だけ少し残念ですが、全体的には思い出に残る体験でした。

I stayed on Iriomote Island and wanted to experience mangrove canoeing in the great outdoors, so I made a reservation. On the day of the experience, the weather was cloudy and the wind was quite strong, but the guide led us with a sense of adventure, which made for a truly memorable and exhilarating canoe experience (laughs).

In addition to canoeing, I also got to experience jungle trekking, which was a lot of fun! The guide was cheerful and provided detailed explanations about rare plants and natural monuments, allowing us to have a fulfilling time. They also took plenty of photos for us!

Due to the bad weather, I appreciated that they allowed for same-day cancellations considering the ferry operation status. I personally felt that this level of responsiveness was very reliable.

Thank you, Mr. Kenken, for the wonderful memories on Iriomote Island!

西表島に宿泊し、大自然の中でマグローブカヌーを体験したく、予約させていただきました。当日は曇り、風も強めというコンディションでしたが逆にアドベンチャー感がありますよ〜とガイドさんにリードしていただき、本当に思い出に残る激しいカヌー体験でした(笑)
また、カヌーだけでなく、ジャングルトレッキングも体験させていただき、大変楽しかったです！ガイドさんも明るく、珍しい植物や天然記念物も丁寧にご説明いただき、充実した時間を過ごせました。写真もたくさん撮ってくれます！
今回は悪天候のため、フェリーの運行状況も踏まえて当日キャンセルもできるということだったので、そのような対応もしていただけるのはしっかりしているなと個人的に感じました。
けんけん先生、西表島の楽しい思い出をありがとうございました！

I went to Iriomote Island for the first time and booked a tour to Yubu Island by kayak and water buffalo. In the morning, I experienced kayaking and explored the mangrove forest for about an hour. I really felt the beauty of nature. The staff were very kind and explained everything well, making it a lot of fun! After that, we took a lunch break and then headed to Yubu Island by water buffalo cart! It took about 10 minutes to reach the island, and we enjoyed about an hour on Yubu Island! The gelato from a shop called Yubu Island Chaya was incredibly delicious! I highly recommend the island banana flavor.

初めて西表島に行き、カヤックと水牛で由布島に行くツアーを予約しました。
午前中にカヤック体験をして、マングローブ林を約1時間探索しました。大自然をとても感じられました。スタッフさんも優しく説明してくださり、大変楽しめました！その後、お昼休憩を挟み、水牛車で由布島にレッツゴー！10分ほどで島につき、そこから由布島を1時間ほど楽しみました！由布島茶屋というジェラート屋さんのジェラートがとっても美味しかったです！島バナナが1番のおすすめです。

I was taken to the mangroves of Urauchi River. It was my first time canoeing, and it was really fun. The scenery was surrounded by nature, and the mangroves were very beautiful. Walking through the mangrove forest made me feel like I was in a Studio Ghibli film. The guide took a lot of pictures and provided plenty of explanations. I'm glad I was able to participate on a nice day. It was such an enjoyable experience that I would love to join again.

浦内川マングローブに連れて行って貰いました。カヌー初めてで面白かったです。景色は大自然に囲まれてマングローブがとても美しく、マングローブ林の中の散策もジブリの気分になれました。ガイドさんは写真もたくさん撮ってくれましたし、説明もたくさんしてくれました。天気が良かった日に参加できてよかったです。また参加したいくらい楽しい経験ができました。

I visited Iriomote Island for the first time. The kayaking experience surrounded by the magnificent mangrove nature was unforgettable, and the air was so fresh. The companions I experienced it with and the instructor were very warm, and it was truly enjoyable!!! After kayaking, I had goya champuru at Gen Shokudo. It was very soothing for my tired body. The water buffaloes were so cute and provided a relaxing time. It's only about a 50-minute trip from Ishigaki Island, so I highly recommend it!

初めて西表島に来ました。
マングローブの大自然に囲まれたカヤック体験は空気も美味しく忘れられない体験になりました。一緒に体験をした仲間もインストラクターさんもとても温かく本当に楽しかったです！！！カヤックの後は源食堂でゴーヤチャンプルーをいただきました。疲れた体にとても沁みました。水牛はとてもかわいく癒されゆったりした時間過ごせました。石垣島から50分ほどで行けるのでぜひお勧めしたいです！

I participated on January 18th! It was a bit cold in short sleeves, so having something to wear over it would be good! When kayaking, your lower body gets wet up to your underwear, so a change of clothes is essential 😅 After the kayaking experience, you can use a warm shower! I joined a group with other tourists, and it was really fun to chat with everyone! The staff were also kind and provided explanations about the island, which was great! I definitely want to recommend this!

1月18日に参加しました！
半袖だと少し寒かったので、羽織るものがあると良いです！
カヤックは下半身は下着まで濡れるので着替え必須です😅
カヤック体験後にあたたかいシャワーを使わせてもらえます！
他の観光客の方とグループになって行動しましたが、いろいろなお話もできてとても楽しかったです！
スタッフの方も親切に島の解説もしてくださりよかったです！
ぜひおすすめしたいです！

I originally booked a plan that included a mangrove canoe, snorkeling, and Yubu Island, but I was informed the day before that snorkeling was not possible due to bad weather and that I could change to a plan that included canyoning. I knew that snorkeling might be difficult at this time of year, so I decided to stick with the canoe and Yubu Island (the plan including Yubu Island was a bit cheaper).

On the day of the trip, the Uehara route was canceled, so I appreciated the detailed instructions for an alternative route. In my case, there was transportation not only to Ohara Port but also to Uehara Port on the way back.

Both the canoeing and Yubu Island met my expectations! It seems that the canoe route changes depending on the conditions, but the route was wider than I expected. If we could have gone down the narrower route that another team was taking, it might have felt more adventurous and fun!

Yubu Island is small, but surprisingly has a lot to see, so I ended up cutting it close on time while enjoying some gelato. The squid ink yakisoba and fried rice for lunch that you recommended were delicious too! Thank you, Macchan!

元々マングローブカヌー＋シュノーケル＋由布島のプランを予約していましたが、前日に天候不良のためシュノーケルが不可であること、キャニオニングを含むプランへの変更が可能であることのご連絡をいただきました。元々時期的にシュノーケリングは難しい可能性が高いとはわかっていたのでそのままカヌー＋由布島にしました(由布島を含むプランだと少し安くなります)
当日は上原航路が欠航だったので、代替ルートを丁寧に教えていただき助かりました。私の時は帰りは大原港だけではなく上原港への送迎もありました。
カヌーも由布島も期待通りでした！
カヌーは荒れ具合によってルートが変わるようですが、思ったより広いルートだったのでもう一つのチームが進んでいた細いルートに行けたらもっと冒険感があって楽しかったかも…！
由布島は小さい島ですが意外と見所あるので、ジェラートを食べてゆっくりすると結構時間ギリギリでした
教えていただいたランチのいかすみ焼きそば、チャーハンも美味しかったです！
まっちゃんありがとうございます〜！