All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

In the morning, they picked us up at the hotel, and we took a tour-exclusive boat to Iriomote Island. On the bus in Iriomote, the driver provided an entertaining guide, so we never got bored. The round trip to Yubu Island was accompanied by traditional island songs played on the sanshin while riding the water buffalo. On the way back, we all sang "Nada Sousou" together. It seems that the experience can vary depending on the water buffalo cart driver.

For lunch, there was a buffet. The pita bread filled with pork was incredibly delicious! We could also take commemorative photos with the water buffalo for free. If you like, you can buy a larger one, but I received a smaller one for free!

The Nakama River cruising lasts just under an hour, and there is a guide as well. On Taketomi Island, I decided not to rent a bicycle, but there was a sign at the port indicating rentals available on the day, so I was able to rent one! If you plan to go to the beach, it's better to have one.

You can choose from several return boat times. Once we arrived at the port, we could also choose the bus time to the hotel, so if you want to do some sightseeing, you can! I highly recommend it!

朝ホテルに迎えにきてくれて、
ツアー専用の船で西表にいきます。
西表のバスではドライバーが楽しいガイドもしてくれて、飽きません。
由布島への往復の水牛も三線で島唄つき
帰りはいっしょに歌いましょうとなだそうそうをみんなで歌いました。これは水牛車の引き手さんによっても違うようです。
お昼はビュッフェ式です。ピタパンに豚肉をいれてそれがすごく美味しかった！
水牛との記念写真もただでとれます。
気に入れば大きいのを買いますが、小さいのはもらいました❗️
仲間川クルージングは一時間弱ですが、ガイドもあります。
竹富島では自転車なしにしましたが、港に当日借りの看板があり、借りることができました！浜にいくなら、あったほうかよいです。
帰りの船の時間もいくつかから選べます。
港についたら、ホテルへのバスの時間も選べるので、観光もしようと思ったらできます！おススメです❗️

A classic island-hopping tour around Ishigaki Island includes a round trip on a water buffalo cart from Iriomote Island to Yufu Island, a mangrove cruise on the Nakama River, and free time on Taketomi Island. The ferry, sightseeing bus, and lunch were all efficiently arranged. I had booked accommodation on Taketomi Island, so I disembarked at Taketomi Port, but I appreciated the flexibility of being able to explore as much as possible in a short amount of time, which is great for someone traveling alone and wanting to see various sights.

The trip from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island was on the tour operator's own boat, the Super Dream, which provided a spacious and comfortable journey. The staff at the port were also very kind and provided thorough explanations during the check-in process.

西表島〜由布島へ水牛車で往復、マングローブ群生の仲間川遊覧、竹富島でのフリータイムという石垣島周辺の離島巡りの定番ですが、渡船〜観光バス〜昼食が効率よくうまく手配されていました。私は竹富島で宿を取っていたので竹富港で離団しましたが、こういう融通がきくところも一人旅でも出来るだけ色々見てみたいという欲張りには短い時間を十分に観光に使えありがたかったです。

石垣島〜西表島〜竹富島は、ツアー催行会社(石垣島ドリーム観光)の持ち船スーパードリーム号で、大きく居心地の良い船旅でした。また港での受付も丁寧な説明で係の方々も親切でした。

I came to Ishigaki Island and, since I was here, I wanted to explore other islands in the Yaeyama region, so I signed up for this three-island tour. We took a boat to explore the mangrove forests of Iriomote Island, rode a water buffalo cart for 400 meters to Yubu Island, where we were soothed by subtropical plants, enjoyed a buffet lunch featuring Okinawan cuisine, and then moved on to Taketomi Island. Here, we also rode a water buffalo cart and spent a leisurely time admiring the red-tiled roofs. During the ride, our guide played the sanshin and sang Okinawan songs, making me feel like I was truly in Okinawa. The entire course included explanations, allowing us to learn many things that we wouldn't have known just by exploring on our own, making it a satisfying tour.

石垣島旅行に来、せっかくなので八重山の他の島も巡ってみたいと思い、この3島ツアーに申し込みました。ボートでの西表島のマングローブ林巡り、400m水牛車に乗って由布島(ゆぶじま)に渡り、亜熱帯植物に癒され、沖縄ごはんのブュッフェランチをとり、竹富島に移動。ここでも水牛車に乗って赤瓦の屋根屋根を眺めつつゆっくりとした時間を過ごせました。水牛車ではガイドの方が三線を弾きながら沖縄の歌を歌ってくださり、沖縄に来た～と思えます。コース全てに渡って解説がつくので、個人で巡るだけでは知ることの出来ないことをたくさん学べたりもでき、満足なツアーでした

The highlight of this tour was definitely the mangrove cruise in Iriomote Island, which was fantastic. I was impressed by the guide's explanations and assistance. I recorded the shamisen performance on the water buffalo cart, so I'll be listening to it again and again. For Taketomi Island, I chose the bus tour, which made it easy to explore various places, and it was perfect for older travelers.

このツアー最大の期待だった西表島マングローブクルーズがとっても良かった。ガイドさんの説明や対応も感動しました。水牛車の三味線演奏も動画撮影したのでちょくちょく聴き直します。竹富島はバスツアーを選んだで楽に色々廻れて年配者にには最高でした。

Yubu Island and Taketomi Island both had plenty of free time for independent activities, which allowed for a personal experience that was fantastic. The photos taken with the cows turned out to be unexpectedly wonderful, and I couldn't help but purchase them.

由布島も竹富島も自由行動時間がたっぷりで、自分なりの体験が出来、最高でした。
牛と一緒に撮った写真が思いのほか素敵で…思わず購入しました。

Unfortunately, the snorkeling was moved to a different spot due to high waves, but I was able to encounter sea turtles✨. Since it was my first time snorkeling, I had some anxiety, but I was glad to go to places I definitely couldn't have reached on my own! It was reassuring that I could grab onto the float that the guide was holding when I got tired!

In the second half, I enjoyed a mangrove canoe tour✨. I got to see the mangroves up close, and at times, we even went through the gaps, which provided a different kind of fun compared to the ocean!

Throughout the day, the guide took a lot of photos and videos, so I was happy to be able to create many memories without having to bring my smartphone✨. Also, I appreciated the included transportation service✨.

シュノーケリングは残念ながら高波の影響で別のスポットになりましたが、ウミガメに出会うことができました✨
初めてのシュノーケリングだったので不安もありましたが、1人では絶対に行けないような場所まで行けてよかったです！疲れたらガイドさんが持ってくれている浮き輪に捕まることもできたので安心でした！

後半はマングローブカヌーを楽しみました✨
マングローブを間近で見て、時には間をくぐったりして、海とは違う楽しみ方ができました！

1日を通して、ガイドの方が写真や動画をたくさん撮ってくれるので、スマホを持ち込まなくても思い出をたくさん残せてよかったです✨
また、送迎付きなのもありがたかったです✨

I was able to efficiently visit the islands. I rented a bicycle, but it seemed like the frame was bent, making it very difficult to ride and unstable. Since it had been decades since I last rode a bike, I initially thought it was just because I wasn't used to it. However, upon reflection, I realized that the handlebar setup and seat angle were in very poor condition. I regret not asking for a change right from the start.

非常に効率よく島々を廻れました。
レンタサイクルを借りましたが、フレームが曲がっているようで非常に乗りにくく安定した走りが出来ず苦労しました。
何十年ぶりに自転車に乗ったので、初めは慣れていないからかな？と思っていましたが冷静に考えてみるとハンドルのセッティング・座席の角度等非常に整備業況が悪いです。
最初に変更を望めば良かったと反省しきりです。

I couldn't go to the Blue Cave, but I was able to see beautiful coral! Also, I miraculously got to see a sea turtle.

The guide also takes videos and photos for you, so you can be satisfied even if you don't bring your own camera!

青の洞窟へは行けませんでしたが、
綺麗なサンゴを見ることはできました！
また、ウミガメも奇跡的に見ることはできました。

カメラもガイドさんがちゃんと動画や写真を撮ってくれるので持ってこなくても満足できます！

The day before, it was raining on and off, but on this day, there was wind, and it was sunny with beautiful colors in the sea. During the mangrove tour, I enjoyed the guide's fun stories and explanations about the types of mangroves. It was something I don't get to see often, so I'm glad I came. It turned out to be an amazing day.

前日は雨が降ったりやんだり、この日は風はあるけど晴れて海の色も綺麗でした
マングローブのでは、ガイドさんの楽しい話しとマングローブの種類の説明を聞いて楽しかったしなかなか見られるものでは無いので来て良かった
最高な日になりました。

After making a web reservation, the ticket reception and boarding for the ferry and bus were smooth. The water buffalo was a good and cute one. If the weather had been nice, it would have been the best experience. Thank you very much.

WEB予約後、チケット受付もフェリーやバス乗車もスムーズ。水牛は良い子で可愛かったです。
天気が良ければ最高の体験でしたね。
ありがとうございまさした。

The weather was nice during the mangrove tour, and since we were on the first boat, there were no waves, and the water surface looked like a mirror, reflecting the trees beautifully. I was very moved and was able to take some stunning photos.

On the water buffalo cart, I enjoyed hearing stories about the water buffalo and the island from our guide, making the journey fun.

For lunch, I had local food, but it didn't quite suit my taste.

In Taketomi Island, we toured by bus, but the time was short and it felt rushed; I wished we had more time.

マングローブ遊覧で天気が良く先頭の船だったので、波も無く水面が鏡の様で木々が水面に映り、美しい写真が撮れてとても感動しました
水牛車は、ガイドさんから水牛や島の話しを聞き楽しく移動が出来ました
昼食は地元の物を食べれたがあまり口に合わなかった
竹富島ではバス観光で廻ったが、時間が短く忙しなくもっと時間が欲しかった

We were pulled by a cute water buffalo, and the guide shared interesting and amusing stories about Taketomi Island. It was a wonderful experience where we could feel the flow of time on the island.

可愛い水牛に引っ張ってもらって、ガイドさんが竹富島の説明を面白おかしくお話してくれます。島の時の流れが感じられ、素敵な体験でした。

We took a walk around the village while receiving explanations! It was great to explore Taketomi Island and learn about its charm rather than just visiting as a tourist! Although it was unfortunately rainy, we still enjoyed the water buffalo!

説明をしてもらいながら集落を散歩しました！観光でくるより竹富島なら良さを知りながら回れたのでよかったです！あいにくの雨でしたが水牛は楽しめました！！

I was looking forward to the tour, but unfortunately, it rained...
Riding a bike in a poncho on Taketomi Island was tough.
Surprisingly, the bike tires got stuck in the sand.
However, the ride on the ox cart from Iriomote Island to Yufu was fun.
The water buffaloes were working hard.
Also, the bus driver's stories during the ride were entertaining.
Even with the bad weather, it was a tour that I enjoyed in its own way.
Thank you very much.

楽しみにしてたツアーですが、生憎の雨・・・。
竹富島では、ポンチョ着てのチャリは、しんどい。
意外に砂地にチャリのタイヤが取られる。
でも、西表島⇒由布の牛車は楽しかった。
水牛さんたちが頑張ってました。
また、移動のバスの運転手さんのお話が面白かったです。
天候が悪くてもそれはそれで楽しめたツアーでした。
ありがとうございました。

In the morning, I participated in a mangrove kayaking activity, and in the afternoon, I went snorkeling in the Blue Cave.

We gathered around 9 AM, and I felt reassured as they picked us up from the hotel to start the day. The weather was clear and warm, and both activities offered stunning views! During snorkeling, I was lucky enough to encounter a sea turtle, just as the tour promised.

The guides took a lot of photos with a GoPro throughout the tour, and I was grateful that they shared them with us on the same day, despite their busy schedule. It had been a while since I participated in such activities, but everyone was cheerful and lively, which made it enjoyable.

Personally, I was happy that lunch was flexible and we had plenty of time, allowing us to enjoy some gourmet food on the same day. It turned out to be a very satisfying day!

午前にマングローブ(カヤック)、午後に青の洞窟シュノーケリングに参加しました

朝9時台の集合でしたが、ホテルまでピックアップに来ていただいて安心のスタート
当日は快晴で気温も高く、どちらのアクティビティも最高の景色を見れました！
シュノーケリングではツアー名のとおりウミガメにも遭遇できて、とてもラッキーでした

ガイドの方々は、ツアー中GoProでたくさん写真を取ってくださり、お忙しいのに当日にすぐシェアしていただけてありがたかったです
こういったアクティビティ参加は久々でしたが、みなさんハキハキとした明るい方で、楽しむことができました

個人的には、ランチが自由で時間に余裕もあったので、同日にグルメも楽しめて嬉しかったです。大満足の1日になりました！

The weather forecast the day before predicted light rain, so I thought, "Well, it should be fine!" and was feeling relaxed. However, just before the experience started, it began to pour! I was feeling a bit down thinking, "SUP in this weather...," but thanks to our guide Genki's positive encouragement, saying, "Actually, it's a lucky experience that you can't have often," I thought, "That's true!" and ended up enjoying SUP. The mangroves and the heavy rain created an even more extraordinary atmosphere, making it a wonderful memory! ✨

前日の天気予報では小雨ぐらいだったので、「まぁ、大丈夫だろ〜」と呑気に考えていたら体験開始直前に大雨に！！
「こんな中でSUP…」とテンションが若干下がっていたのですが、ガイドのゲンキさんの「逆になかなか出来ない体験だからラッキー」という前向きな励ましのおかげで「たしかに…！」にと楽しんでSUPを楽しむことができました✨マングローブ&大雨で、より非日常の世界感でとても良い思い出になりました！

On the day of my visit, it was unfortunately cloudy, but I wasn't caught in heavy rain, so I was able to enjoy myself to some extent. I explored Taketomi Island by bicycle, but I felt that I could have enjoyed it even more if I had a bit more time. The ocean was very beautiful. I definitely recommend you go and see it!

当日はあいにくの曇りでしたが、大雨には降られず、それなりに楽しめました。
竹富島は自転車で回りましたが、時間が少なくもう少しあればなお良かったかなと思います。
海はとても綺麗でした。是非行ってみてください。

This was my third visit to Yufujima, and since I visited in different seasons each time, I was able to enjoy exploring the island. There are also beachside cafes on the island, so you can spend a relaxing time there.

今回で3回目の由布島観光でしたが、それぞれ訪れた季節が違うため楽しく島内を見ることが出来ました。島内のには浜辺のカフェもあるのでゆったりした時間を過ごすことが出来ます。

I participated in February, and the weather was cloudy and very cold. The other participants were dressed lightly and looked very cold. It rained during the mangrove tour, but it was still quite nice. For lunch, I thought it would have been better if there were more varieties of dessert.

2月に参加し、天気が曇り空、とても寒い日で、他の参加者さんは薄着でとても寒そうでした。ただマングローブ見学の時雨が降ってたけどそれなりに良かったです。ランチはデザートがもっと種類があればいいかなと思いました。

The pre-tour guidance was well understood, and we were able to tour efficiently without any unnecessary waiting time. Each guide provided appropriate and interesting introductions to the landmarks. One disappointing aspect was that we couldn't fully enjoy the tidal flats due to the high tide. Next time, I would like to visit during low tide. Thank you very much.

事前のガイダンスもよく理解でき、無駄な待ち時間もなく効率的に周遊できました。各ガイド案内も適切かつ面白く名所等を紹介していただきました。一つ残念なことは満潮と重なったため干潟を十分に楽しめませんでした。今度は干潮時に訪れたいと思います。ありがとうございました。

It was a bit cloudy, but the blue of the water was even more beautiful than I imagined! The guide provided calm instructions, which made me feel safe while swimming. The photos turned out great, and I was really excited!

少し曇っていたけど、水中の青さが想像以上にきれいだった！　ガイドさんが落ち着いた声で案内してくれて、安心して泳げた。写真もバッチリでテンション上がった！

I was moved by the mystical scenery of the Blue Cave! The guide provided detailed support, so I was able to enjoy it with peace of mind. The snorkeling experience was also very satisfying!

青の洞窟の神秘的な光景に感動しました！ガイドさんが細かくサポートしてくれたので、安心して楽しめました。シュノーケリングも大満足の体験でした！

I traveled between Yubu Island and Iriomote Island and rode a water buffalo cart on Taketomi Island. The water buffalo were adorable and it was the best experience.

Also, while moving around Iriomote Island by bus, the driver was entertaining and had a clear voice, making it a great experience as well.

由布島と西表島の間の移動と竹富島内で水牛車に乗りました。水牛も可愛らしく最高でした。
また西表島内はバスでの移動でしたが、その際の運転手の方が話も面白く声も聞きやすく最高でした。

The weather was nice, and the mangrove tour and water buffalo cart experience became great memories. I rented a bicycle on Taketomi Island, but I felt a bit unsatisfied.

天気も良くマングローブ遊覧、水牛車体験と良い思い出になりました。竹富島はレンタサイクルを借りましたが、少し物足りなさを感じました。

I went to Yubu Island by water buffalo cart. The buffaloes were so cute. On the way there, an older man played the shamisen and sang, and on the way back, a woman did the same. Taketomi Island was free to explore. I rode an electric assist bicycle and enjoyed the view of the sea. We went to a café and had lychee juice and guava juice. The café was run by a French woman. I took pictures with the buffaloes on Yubu Island, and I got some really nice photos. On Iriomote Island, we saw a lot of mangroves from a cruise ship.

水牛車で由布島に行きました。牛さんが可愛いね。行きはおじさん、帰りは女性が三味線と歌を聴きました。竹富島はフリーでした。電動アシスト自転車に乗り海を見ました。カフェに行き、ライチジュースとグアバジュースを飲みました。カフェはフランス🇫🇷人の奥様がいましたね。由布島で牛さんと写真撮りました。とても良い写真が撮れました。西表島はクルーズ船でマングローブを沢山見ました。

I was surprised by the clarity beyond my imagination! The blue glow I saw underwater was truly beautiful. The guide said, "It's shining the most beautifully right now!" and I was able to take pictures at the best timing!

想像以上の透明度でびっくり！　水中で見る青の輝きが本当に美しかった。ガイドさんが「今が一番きれいに光ってます！」って声をかけてくれて、ベストタイミングで撮影できた！

It was raining heavily, but that added to the charm, and it was great. You can rent bicycles if you pay, and they sell rain gear too, so there were no problems at all!

大雨だったけど、それもまた味が出ていて、良かった、自転車もお金払えば借りれるし、雨具も売ってるし、何も問題ナッシんギュー！

Thank you, guide Sugi-chan and Hina-chan. It was a very satisfying tour.

It was my first time canoeing, but you taught us carefully, so I was able to participate with peace of mind. Additionally, I enjoyed the time spent learning about corals and mangroves.

During snorkeling, I was able to see clownfish and touch sea cucumbers, allowing me to connect with the natural beauty of Ishigaki. I felt tired and anxious in the second half, but you checked on me multiple times, which helped me swim confidently until the end.

The weather forecast was bad, and I received a call the day before to change the time, but thanks to that, I was able to fully enjoy both activities.

ガイドのすぎちゃん、ひなちゃんありがとう。大満足のツアーになりました。
初めてのカヌーでしたが、丁寧に教えていただいたので、安心して参加することができました。また、サンゴやマングローブに関する話をしていただいて、楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。
シュノーケリングでは、カクレクマノミを見れたり、ナマコを触ったり、石垣の自然にたくさん触れることができました。後半疲れて不安でしたが、何度も声をかけてくれて、安心して泳ぎきることができました。

予報が悪く、前日に電話をいただき、時間変更をしての参加でしたが、おかげさまで両方のアクティビティを満喫することができました。

I participated in an island-hopping tour from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island, Yubu Island, and Taketomi Island.

On Iriomote Island, the bus ride was enjoyable thanks to the fun island guide provided by the bus driver. We took a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island, where I strolled around and felt my heart healed by the relaxing nature.

During the mangrove cruise, we happened to catch the beginning of low tide, allowing us to see the mangroves in their natural state, which was very nice. On Taketomi Island, I explored the village and was moved by the feeling of Okinawa.

石垣島から西表島、由布島、竹富島への離島巡りに参加しました
西表島でのバス移動は、ばすのドライバーの楽しい島の案内、水牛車に乗って由布島へ、由布島での散策は、のんびり自然とに触れて心が癒されました。
マングローブ遊覧では、丁度干潮が始まり、マングローブの本来の姿を観ることができ、とても良かったです。竹富島では、集落をみて、沖縄を感じ感動したした。

It was an efficiently packed tour for the whole day. The photo is a commemorative shot with a water buffalo on Taketomi Island. It became a wonderful memory.

1日盛りだくさんのツアーで効率的に回れました。写真は竹富島での水牛さんとの記念撮影。良い思い出となりました。