All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

We were blessed with good weather and had a great time enjoying the ox cart and the guide's folk songs, surrounded by blooming bougainvillea and deigo flowers. The timing was perfect.

お天気にも恵まれ、牛車もガイドさんの民謡も楽しみながら、ブーゲンビリア、デイゴの花も盛りの中、良い時間を過ごせました。時期的に良かったです。

Even though it's late March, is it scorching hot in Taketomi Island?! For Tokyoites who are still not used to the heat, riding in a covered water buffalo cart while listening to the guide's stories and the sound of the sanshin was the best experience for a leisurely island tour.

This tour, which includes transportation between Ishigaki Port and Taketomi Port, as well as a shuttle bus and water buffalo cart sightseeing, is a great deal. We took the ferry departing from Ishigaki at 2:30 PM and returning from Taketomi at 5:00 PM, which was just the right timing.

3月下旬とはいえ、竹富島は猛暑？！　まだ暑さに慣れていない東京人にとっては、屋根付きの水牛車に乗って、案内人の話や三線の音色を聞きながらゆっくり島巡りができて最高の経験でした。
石垣港⇔竹富港⇔送迎バス+水牛車観光のこのツアーはおトクです。私達は午後14:30石垣発＆竹富発17:00のフェリーで、時間的にちょうどよかったです。

We participated by splitting into a bus team and a free (bicycle) group. The forecast was cloudy with rain, and there was occasional light rain on Taketomi Island. I brought a raincoat but didn't need to wear it. The sea at Nishi Sanchu Bridge seemed beautiful. To visit all the highlights, you need plenty of time, and the last ferry was at 5 PM.

バスチームとフリー（自転車）に分かれての参加。曇雨予報で竹富島は時々小雨。カッパ持ってったけど着なくて大丈夫でした。西桟橋の海が綺麗だったようです。見どころを全部行くには時間がたっぷり必要で、フェリーは最後の17時でした。

On a day with cloudy and rainy forecasts, the strong winds made the ferry ride to our destination quite bumpy, causing even adults to feel seasick and scared. However, we calmed down during the mangrove tour, enjoyed a ride on an ox cart, and the kids were thrilled to see the large Papilio butterfly and the golden chrysalis at the Yufu Island Butterfly Garden. The bus tour was well-paced with informative explanations, allowing us to efficiently explore the area. It rained while we were on the boat, but elsewhere it was just cloudy, so we managed to have a fun time. It would have been perfect if it had been sunny.

曇雨予報の日、風が強く行きのフェリーが揺れまくり大人も船酔いand怖さで大変でした。その後のマングローブ遊覧で落ち着き、牛車も楽しめ、由布島蝶々園の大きなオオゴマダラと金色のサナギに子供大喜びでした。バスツアーはテンポよく説明もあり効率よく周れました。船中に雨が降りましたが、他はなんとか曇だったので楽しく周れました。晴れなら最高でした。

The weather was nice, and our guide was very cheerful and fun. Every moment from the talks inside the tour until it ended was enjoyable! There are other tours available, and I'm looking forward to participating in those as well! Even those who can't swim are well taken care of, so anyone can join with peace of mind!

天気も良くて担当ガイドの方もすごく明るく楽しい社内の中のトークからツアーが終わるまでの全ての時間が楽しかったです！
また違うツアーがありますので、そちらの方も参加するのが楽しみです！
泳げない方でもしっかり対応してくださるので誰でも安心して参加できます！

In the morning, the weather was nice, and while cruising through the mangroves in Iriomote Island and crossing to Yubu Island by water buffalo cart, a pleasant breeze was blowing, making it a very enjoyable experience. Riding the water buffalo cart was a first for me, and the sound of the boatman's shamisen added a charming touch, allowing me to savor a relaxed atmosphere.

When we took the ferry to Taketomi Island, it started to rain, and since I had signed up for a cycling course on the island, I was worried. However, the rain stopped partway through, and I was glad I could cycle around the island. I was able to reach the sea, so I felt it was a good choice to go with the cycling course.

I definitely want to visit again when the weather and climate are nice.

午前中は天気も良く、西表島でのマングローブを船で周る時と、由布島へ水牛車で渡る時は、心地いい風も吹いててとても気持ちよく過ごせました。水牛車も初めての体験で、船頭さんの三味線も情緒があって、ゆったりとした雰囲気を味わえて良かったです。
竹富島へフェリーで渡る時に雨が降ってきて、島でサイクリングのコースを申し込んでいたので、心配してましたが、途中から雨も止み、自転車で島をまわれて良かったです。海の方まで行けたので、サイクリングのコースにして良かったと思いました。
またぜひ、気候と天気の良い時に訪れたいなと思いました。

The snorkeling guides were Makocchan and Soutakun! Both were cheerful and friendly, and their explanations were easy to understand, making it enjoyable and reassuring even for first-timers.

The snorkeling location changed due to sea conditions, but it turned out to be a great decision! I was thrilled to swim with sea turtles, which was a dream come true 🐢✨✨ I got so excited that I almost drowned... haha.

And for my first time on a SUP, we went into the mangroves. The quiet and surreal scenery was breathtaking... it was incredibly healing!! ✨✨

I did fall off the SUP a few times, but that just added to the fun, and I made some amazing memories. ☺️

Thank you so much, Makocchan and Soutakun! I definitely want to go again! When I do, I hope to have you as my guides again! 🤘

シュノーケリングのガイドはまこっちゃんSUPはそうたくん！
どちらも明るくて気さくで説明もわかりやすく、初めてでも安心して楽しめました。

海の状況でシュノーケリングの場所は変更になりましたがそれが大当たり！！
念願の海亀と一緒に泳げて感動🐢✨✨
興奮しすぎてあわや溺れるかと…笑

そして初めてのSUPはマングローブの中へ。
静かで幻想的な景色が広がって…
めっちゃ癒されたーーーッ！！✨✨

しっかりSUPから落ち、掴みは👍
それも含めて楽しくて最高の思い出ができました。☺️

まこっちゃん、そうたくん
本当にありがとうございました😊
また絶対行きたいです！
その時はまたガイドよろしくーー🤘

This was an activity I wanted to experience at least once. The water buffalo crossing the sea is really cute. I had a wonderful experience on Yufujima as well. The jungle cruise on Nakama River was also fantastic.

１度は体験したいアクテビティでした。海を渡る水牛はホントに可愛いです。由布島でも素晴らしい体験出来ました。
仲間川のジャングルクルーズも最高でした。

The guide, who was a water buffalo driver, was skilled and made the experience enjoyable. They explained the island's traditional events and culture, as well as current issues and challenges, which provided a great experience.

水牛運転手な方のガイドが
上手で楽しめました。
島の伝統行事や文化、
現在の問題点や課題まで説明して
くれて良い経験が出来ました。

It was a wonderful island-hopping experience! I was worried about getting seasick on the boat from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island, but that was not a problem at all. The tour was conducted on time for everything, and we had enough time to look at souvenirs. On Taketomi Island, you can choose the return boat at either 4 PM or 5 PM, but I definitely recommend the 5 PM option. If you take the 4 PM boat, you won't have enough time for sightseeing. I feel like there are more star sands than there were 20 years ago!

とても素晴らしい離島巡りでした！石垣島〜西表島までの船に酔わないか心配でしたが、そこは全く問題なかったです。
ツアーは全て時間通りに行われました。お土産を見る時間もちゃんと取れました。
竹富島では帰る船を16時or17時で選べますが、絶対17時がいいです。16時だと観光時間が足りません。20年前より星砂が増えた気がします！

This was my second time participating, and I definitely recommend joining if you travel to Ishigaki Island. You can explore efficiently without wasting time, and it's easy since there's no driving involved.

二度目の参加でしたが、石垣島に旅行したら是非とも参加をおすすめします。
無駄なく効率良く回れますし運転もないから楽です。

Crossing the island by water buffalo cart was a charming and wonderful experience. I was also impressed by the extensive mangroves. The bus driver's stories on Iriomote Island were very informative as well. Thank you very much. It was a bit disappointing that the weather was gloomy.

水牛車での島渡り、趣があり、素敵な体験ができました。
広範囲のマングローブも感動しました。
西表島のバスの運転手さんのお話もとても参考になりました。
ありがとうございまました。
天気がぐずついていたのがちょっと残念でした。

I initially planned for my grandchildren to ride the water buffalo cart, but I felt like I wanted to ride a little longer! The waiting time was quite long, and by the time we boarded the boat, there wasn't enough time to explore the island. That was how I felt. Other than that, I didn't have any particular complaints. If I have the opportunity again, I think I would like to try activities on Yufu Island and Iriomote Island. Thank you very much.

取り敢えず孫たちを水牛車に乗らしたくて計画しましたが、もう少しだけ長く乗りたかったかなぁ！？という感じです。待たされた時間が長くて、船の乗船時間には、中途半端島内巡りしようと思っても時間がない。そう感じでした。後は、特に不満は、ありませんでした。また機会があれば、由布島、西表島のアクティビティに挑戦しようかなぁと思います。ありがとう御座いました。

I received my ticket at the counter of the island terminal and boarded the ship. With transportation to and from the port, I was able to take a stroll around the island during the extra time I had!

I was able to make good use of my time from lunch until the evening (^^).

離島ターミナルのカウンターでチケットをもらい乗船
港から送り迎え付きで、余った時間で島内のお散歩にも行けました！

ランチしてから夜までのいい時間の使い方ができました(^^)

This is a classic course for island hopping around Ishigaki Island, including a round trip on a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island, a mangrove tour on the Nakama River, and free time on Taketomi Island. We were able to efficiently explore all three islands.

On the water buffalo cart, the guide played the sanshin and sang Okinawan songs, and the bus driver shared interesting stories about the island!

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コースのですが、3島を効率よく観光できました。
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、バスでは運転手の方の島のお話も面白かったです！

This time we took a course around the three islands, and it was very well received by my family. The schedule was just right, and we had a great time. Thank you for your assistance. If there is another opportunity, I will definitely use your services again.

今回はま3島をめぐるコースでしたが、家族にも大好評でした。時間割りもちょうど良く、大変楽しむ事が出来ました。
お世話になりました。又、機会が有れば利用させて頂きます。

At first, I was anxious, but the staff guided me each time, so I was able to enjoy sightseeing without worry. I especially think that the three-island tour is a cost-effective and recommended course.

初めは不安でしたが係員が都度案内してくれるので不安なく観光出来ます。特に3島巡りはコスパも良いおすすめコースだと思います。

The staff at the reception desk were friendly and provided kind assistance. Thanks to them, the last day turned out to be a fun trip. The tour was enjoyable as well. I didn't have enough time to see everything on Yufu Island, but I would like to come back and explore it more leisurely. I also want to participate in other tours.

窓口受付の方の感じが良く、親切に対応してくださいました。そのおかげで最終日楽しい旅行になりました。ツアーも楽しかったです。由布島、時間が足りなくて全部見れなかったけれど、またゆっくり来たいと思います。他のツアーも参加したいと思いました。

I was able to spend a relaxing time in Mishima! The weather was great, and I could also listen to the sanshin while riding the water buffalo cart! It was a luxurious day and I had a lot of fun, but if I had to be picky, I wish I had about 30 more minutes to buy souvenirs on Iriomote Island at the end.

三島ともゆっくりと過ごすことが出来ました！天気にも恵まれ、水牛車では三線も聞くことができました！
贅沢な1日で楽しかったですが、欲を言えば、西表島で最後にお土産を買う時間がなかったので、30分くらいあれば良かったかなぁ。

The weather was nice, and the boat didn't sway, allowing us to enjoy sightseeing. The mangroves of Iriomote were beautiful, and we had a relaxing time on the water buffalo cart to Yubu Island, making the island exploration a delightful experience. The water buffalo cart on Taketomi Island was also good, but the distance was short, and it ended quickly, so I wish I had chosen the bicycle plan instead. Overall, it was a fun day!

天気も良く船も揺れずに楽しく観光できました。西表のマングローブも綺麗に見れて由布島への水牛車ものんびりと過ごすことができて島の散策も楽しい時間でした。竹富島の水牛車も良かったですが距離が短くすぐ終わってしまったので自転車プランにしておけばよかったです。全体的に楽しい1日でした

I was able to see many fish up close, just like those in an aquarium! I also got to take a lot of photos and videos! Hina was very kind!

水族館の水槽の中にいるようなお魚さんを間近でたくさん見れました！写真や動画もたくさん撮ってもらえました！
ひなさん優しかった！

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。