All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

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。

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。

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。

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

This is a tour where you can enjoy the old town while being rocked in a water buffalo cart. Everyone's arrangements were good, and we were able to sightsee smoothly. It was fun.

水牛車に揺られ、昔の街並みを観光するツアーです。皆さんの段取りも良くスムーズに観光できました。楽しかったです。

This time, I chose to visit three islands: Iriomote Island, Yufu Island, and Taketomi Island, where I had some free time. On Iriomote Island, I enjoyed a mangrove tour and rode a water buffalo. For lunch on Yufu Island, I had Orion beer and a delicious buffet. The highlight of this trip was the free exploration of Taketomi Island. I rented a bicycle and leisurely explored from Nishi Sanbashi to the star sand beach at Kaiji Beach, enjoying the charming streets with red-tiled roofs. It was absolutely wonderful!

今回は3島巡りで、自由時間がある西表島、由布島、竹富島巡りをチョイス。
西表島でマングローブ遊覧をし、水牛に乗り由布島での昼食は、オリオンビールと美味しいバイキング。
そして今回のメイン竹富島の自由散策。自転車をレンタルし西桟橋から星砂のカイジ浜、赤瓦が良い雰囲気の街並みをゆっくり散策できて最高に良かったです。

The snorkeling at the Blue Cave was canceled due to bad weather the day before, and they suggested snorkeling at a different spot. I was a bit anxious about swimming, but our guide, Yutty, was very attentive and guided us well. My goggles kept slipping, and I apologize for the trouble, but he adjusted them for me while I was swimming, allowing me to fully enjoy the beautiful sea✨.

In mid-April, I participated without a wetsuit, and at first, I was surprised by the coldness of the water, but as I swam, I hardly felt the cold at all. I was also able to see two sea turtles swimming together, which made for a truly wonderful experience🐢.

前日に青の洞窟のシュノーケリングは天候不良の為中止とのご連絡があり、別のスポットでのシュノーケリングを提案していただきました。泳ぎに不安がありましたが、担当ガイドのゆってぃさんは丁寧にガイドしてくださいました。ゴーグルが何度もズレてしまい、ご迷惑をおかけしてしまいましたが、泳いでる最中に調整してくださり、綺麗な海を堪能できました✨
4月中旬にウェットスーツ着用なしでの参加で、初めは海の冷たさに驚きましたが、泳いでいるうちに冷たさは殆ど感じませんでした
ウミガメも二匹一緒に泳いでいる姿を見ることができ、とても素敵な体験をすることができました🐢

Crossing to Yubu Island, the water buffalo carts keep passing us by... So that was the message from the buffalo! They're so clever, showing what they want to say with their bodies... Sota-kun, that's right... It's tough every day, isn't it? I really enjoyed your body language. I want to ride again.

由布島への海渡り、どんどん抜かされる水牛車…あれが牛君のメッセージだったとは！
賢いんだ、言いたいこと、体で示そうよって、やってたんだ…ソータくん、そうだよね…毎日毎日、たいへんだよね…楽しかったよ、君のボディランゲージ。
また乗りたいと思うわたしでした。

I was able to visit Iriomote Island, Yubu Island, and Taketomi Island in one day. On Taketomi Island, I rented a bicycle and rode to a beach with star sand, where I got so caught up in searching for star sand that I lost track of time and suddenly it was time to return to the boat. Next time, I would like to take it a bit more leisurely.

西表島、由布島、竹富島を1日でまわれました。
竹富島ではレンタサイクルで星砂のあるビーチまで行き夢中になって星砂探しをしていてあっという間に帰りの船の時間になってしまいました。
次回はもう少しのんびりと行ってみたいです。

This tour allows for efficient sightseeing of the three Yaeyama Islands and is very satisfying in terms of content. The mangrove tour on Iriomote Island, the water buffalo experience and sightseeing on Yufu Island, and cycling on Taketomi Island were all very enjoyable. The lunch on Yufu Island was delicious and had a local flavor. The only downside I noticed was that the bicycle used for cycling needed maintenance (the tires were low on air).

八重山3島を効率よく観光出来、満足の育や内容のツアーです。
西表島のマングローブ観光、由布島の水牛と由布島の観光、竹富島のサイクリング何処も満足の行く内容でした。
由布島の昼食も郷土色が感じられ美味しかったです。
あえて一つ残念なのは、サイクリングで利用した自転車のメンテナンス(タイヤの空気不足)が必要かと感じました。

The weather was nice, and in the morning, we leisurely paddled through the mangroves in a canoe, experiencing something out of the ordinary! In the afternoon, we went snorkeling, where the coral spread across the entire sea, and there were many tropical fish swimming around, which was very beautiful. I did feel unwell for a bit, but the staff responded promptly and kindly, which was a great help.

お天気がよく、午前中はマングローブの中をカヌーでゆったりと進み、非日常を味わうことができました！
午後はシュノーケリングで、珊瑚が海一面に広がり、南国の魚がたくさん泳いでいてとても綺麗でした。途中体調不良になってしまいましたが、スタッフの方が丁寧かつ迅速に対応していただき助かりました。

Everything I experienced on the tour was truly wonderful!

The process from signing up for the tour to the end of participation was very meticulous, and I could feel the passion, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness of each staff member. It became the most memorable tour I've ever participated in.

Also, since lunch was included in the tour, I had no expectations for the meal on Yufu Island, but it turned out to be a delightful menu that beautifully showcased the best of Okinawa's flavors, and it was very delicious! My picky 10-year-old daughter was also very happy.

The only downside was that I remember reading somewhere that there would be an English guide available, but in reality, everything was conducted in Japanese. I felt a bit sorry for my foreign husband who was expecting that. It might have been my misunderstanding, so I’m not too concerned about this point.

ツアーで体験したことの全てが本当に素晴らしかったです！

ツアー申し込みから参加終了までの過程が大変丁寧で、スタッフのお一人お一人の方々の情熱と熱意、お気遣いを感じられる、これまでで一番思い出に残るツアー参加になりました。

また、ツアーに組み込まれたランチということで、由布島での食事には全く期待していなかったのですが、これがなんと、沖縄のいいとこ取りの優しいお味のメニューがバランス良く提供されていて、とても美味しかったです！偏食の10歳の娘も大変喜んでおりました。

一つだけ残念だったのは、確か事前に英語でのガイドもあるという内容を読んだ記憶があるのですが、実際は全て日本語での案内だったので、期待していた外国人の夫には少しかわいそうなことをしました。私の勘違いかもしれませんので、この点はあまり気にしてはおりません。

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 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。

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。