All Reviews for Bus Tours

By taking the bus, you can efficiently visit the island's attractions, and since a veteran driver smoothly navigates the narrow roads that I would feel uneasy driving on myself, it was reassuring. I also enjoyed seeing many Japanese macaques and sika deer.

バスに乗って、島の名所をまわれるので
時間を有効的に使えるし、
自分では運転が不安な狭い道もベテランドライバーさんがすいすい進んでくれるので安心でした。
ヤクザルやヤクシカもたくさん見られて楽しかったです。

On the last day in Yakushima, I was unsure whether to rent a car until my evening flight, but I found this course that takes you to the places I wanted to visit and decided to join. The Western Forest Road is narrow, and when a car comes from the opposite direction, one of the vehicles has to back up and wait. Most of the oncoming cars were rental cars, and I felt that backing up to a place where we could wait on those narrow mountain roads was quite challenging. We took a bus to tour various famous spots, and we could see deer and monkeys well after getting off the bus. It was a half-day morning course, but I was very satisfied and enjoyed it thoroughly.

屋久島最終日、夕方のフライトまでレンタカーを借りようか迷いましたが、
自分の行きたい場所をまわってくれるこのコースをみつけ参加しました。
西部林道は道路幅が狭く、対向車がきた時は、
どちらかの車がバックして待機しないといけません。
対向車はレンタカーばかりで、
細い山道で待機できる場所までバックするのはかなり大変だと感じました。
バスに乗車して各名所を巡り、
バスから降りてシカやサルも十分に見ることができます。
午前の半日コースでしたが、十分満足して楽しめました。

Since there were three of us, my husband and I plus one participant, we took a van instead of a bus, and our driver also served as our guide. While a bus guide's fluent explanations are great, having a tour where we could converse directly in the vehicle made for a very memorable experience. It was interesting to hear detailed information about points of interest and personal stories from our guide.

Perhaps because there were fewer participants, the time spent at each spot felt relatively flexible, which was also nice. We were able to take many wonderful photos, but for some reason, I couldn't upload them here… (I was able to post normally from my smartphone until last year).

One downside was that if you participate in a split tour, like in the afternoon on the first day and in the morning on the second day, it ends up being more expensive than a full-day course. It would have been reasonable to have a lower price for half-day tours since lunch is not included, but I wish they had at least set the total cost to be the same.

On the first day, we joined a tour from the airport to Yakusugi Land, and on the second day, we departed from our accommodation for this tour. After the tour ended, we walked to Mankitsu Shrine and then had lunch and shopping before heading from Miyanoura Port to Ibusuki Port.

Even with a short stay, we were able to sightsee very efficiently!

私達夫婦+お一人参加の方の3名でしたので、バスでなくワゴン車で、運転手さんがガイドも兼ねながら連れていって下さいました。
バスガイドさんによる流暢な説明も良いですが、車中で直接会話しながらのツアーは、大変思い出に残るものでした。こちらの興味のある点について詳しく教えて頂いたり、ご自身のことなど話して下さり面白かったです。
人数が少ないためか、各スポットでの滞在時間が比較的自由な感じなのも良かったです。
素晴らしい写真がたくさん撮れましたが、こちらになぜかアップロードできず…(昨年まではスマホから普通に投稿できたのですが)
残念だったのは、1日目に午後、2日目に午前のように分割して参加すると、1日通しのコースより割高になることです。半日ずつに分けると昼食が付かなくなる分、安くなってもいいくらいですが、せめて合計が同料金で設定してほしかったです。
私達は初日、空港からヤクスギランドに行くツアーに参加して宿まで、2日目は宿からこのツアーに出発し、解散後は徒歩で益救神社に行ったりランチや買い物をした後、宮之浦港から指宿港へ向かいました。
短い滞在でも大変効率的に観光できました！

Since we were driving on narrow mountain roads, it would have been a disaster if someone from the city casually decided to rent a car and go. I noticed the drivers giving directions to oncoming cars while passing each other, and I thought, "Wow, they are true professionals." I believe that with our driving skills, even if we were given instructions, we wouldn't have been able to follow them properly.

The guide also provided detailed explanations without a moment's rest, which was impressive. Additionally, I was really glad that we were able to walk the 50-minute course at Yakusugi Land! I had read that some guides only offer a 30-minute course, so I was worried it would be disappointing if that were the case.

However, at the route junction, the guide asked, "Is the 50-minute course okay for everyone?" but only a few people around seemed to hear it. I felt that it could be problematic if someone at the back found the 50 minutes too challenging.

細い山道を走行するので、都会暮らしの者が気安くレンタカーで行こうなんてしたら大変なことになってました。
すれ違う時に、運転手さんが対向車に指示を出したりしていて、プロだな〜と思いましたし、自分らの運転スキルでは、仮に指示されてもその通りできなかったと思います。　
ガイドさんも、休む間もなく詳しい説明をずっとして下さいました。
また、ヤクスギランドでは50分のコースを歩かせてもらえて、本当に良かったです！ガイドによっては30分コースのこともあると読んで、もしそうだったら残念と思っていたので…
ただ、ルート分岐点での「50分コースで大丈夫ですよね？」というガイドさんからの声がけが、周りの数人にしか聞こえない状況でした。万が一、50分はキツいという方が最後尾の方にいらっしゃったらまずいのでは…とは感じました。

The female driver and the female guide were great, and the guide's stories were really interesting. It was a very enjoyable tour.

女性ドライバー&女性ガイドさんで、ガイドさんのお話がオモシロかったです。
とても楽しいツアーでした。

I participated in a one-day bus tour around Yakushima. The beauty of this World Heritage site was, of course, amazing, and I had a very fulfilling time.

What left a particularly strong impression on me was the guide, Mr. Habu's stories. Being a local, he not only provided sightseeing information but also shared many details about life on the island and the charm of Yakushima, allowing me to understand the island on a deeper level.

The journey was enjoyable throughout, and thanks to his warm personality, it became a truly memorable day. Thank you very much!

屋久島1日周遊バスツアーに参加させていただきました。
世界自然遺産の素晴らしさはもちろん、とても充実した時間を過ごすことができました。

特に印象に残ったのは、ガイドのハブさんのお話です。
地元ご出身とのことで、観光案内だけでなく、島での暮らしや屋久島の魅力をたくさん丁寧に教えてくださり、より深く屋久島を知ることができました。

移動中も終始楽しく、温かいお人柄のおかげで、とても心に残る1日になりました。
本当にありがとうございました。

Thanks to the guide's entertaining stories and the driver's professional driving, which remained steady even in thick fog, I had a very meaningful time. Thank you!

ガイドさんの楽しいお話と濃霧の中でも揺るぎないドライバーさんのプロフェッショナルな運転のおかげでとても有意義な時間でした。ありがとうございました！

Thanks to the driver's excellent driving skills and the guide's warm hospitality and thorough guidance, I was able to fully enjoy various spots.

It was an experience that makes me want to visit Yakushima again. Thank you!

運転手のドライビングテクニックとガイドさんのホスピタリティあふれる丁寧な案内で、さまざまなスポットを満喫することができました。

また屋久島に来たいと思える体験でした。
ありがとうございます！

The weather was nice, which was great. Since I was staying at the Iwasaki Hotel, I was picked up right in front of the hotel. The female guide was cheerful and energetic, making it a fun experience. She really loved Yakushima and spoke about it with great care, which was very educational for me.

We set off and circled Yakushima in a clockwise direction. The tour covers all the essential spots, so I recommend it for beginners to Yakushima. Around the western forest road, the road is narrow, just enough for one car to pass. I think this area could be challenging for those considering a rental car. From here, you can encounter wild deer and monkeys. After passing through, we reached Inakahama, where the beautiful sandy beach and the crashing waves created a stunning view.

For lunch, we stopped in Miyanoura. The fried flying fish was exquisite. The bus then traveled through Anbo, passing the airport, and headed to Yakusugi Land and the Jomon Sugi. The guide accompanied us while we explored Yakusugi Land, providing insights. It was moving to be able to touch the Jomon Sugi. After descending the mountain, we got off the bus, and a taxi took us to our hotel. It was very accommodating. You can enjoy the experience fully even without a rental car.

Additionally, the guide took photos at scenic spots and showed great consideration for the participants. The stories were interesting, so I never got bored for a minute. Thank you very much!

天気が良くて良かったです。
いわさきホテルに泊まっていたのでホテル前からピックアップしてもらいました。
ガイドの女性が明るくて元気で楽しかったです。屋久島が好きで屋久島のことを本当に丁寧に話して下さったので勉強になりました。
出発して、時計回りに屋久島を周遊します。所要なところは回るので屋久島初心者にはおすすめです。
西部林道あたりは道幅が狭く車１台通れるかのところを走ります。レンタカーでお考えの方はここは難所だと思います。このあたりから野生のシカや猿に出会えます。そこを抜けるといなか浜で美しい砂浜と押し寄せる波はとてもキレイな景色でした。
昼は宮之浦で昼食を食べます。トビウオの唐揚げは絶品です。バスは走り安房をぬけ空港を走りヤクスギランドや紀元杉へ。ヤクスギランド散策もガイドさんが一緒でガイドしてくれます。紀元杉は触れられるので感動します。山を降りバスを下車、そこから宿泊ホテルまではタクシーで送ってもらえました。至れり尽くせりです。レンタカーなくても充分楽しめます。
またガイドさんは写真スポットで写真を撮ってくれたり、参加者に対する気遣いも半端なかったです。あと話が面白いので一分も飽きない楽しかったです。ありがとうございました。

I participated with a friend. At first, we considered renting a car, but choosing this option turned out to be a great decision! The guide provided explanations throughout the journey, and they were very clear and made for an enjoyable sightseeing experience. The Western Forest Road is a narrow one-way road where we had to yield to each other, but the driving was really skillful, taking us to many great spots. Lunch also included a set meal with fried flying fish. Since it’s combined with a souvenir shop, you can do some shopping too. I got on near the accommodation and was dropped off at a bus stop near a different rental car company in another town. This flexibility was very kind. I highly recommend it! ♪

友人と2人で参加しました。
はじめはレンタカーで周ろうかとも考えましたが、こちらを選んで大正解でした！
ガイドさんは移動中も終始説明してくださり、この説明がとても分かりやすく、楽しい観光となりました。
西部林道は一方通行の様な細い道路を譲り合いながら進むのですが、本当に上手な運転で我々をたくさんの見所へ連れて行ってくれました。
お昼もトビウオの唐揚げ定食も付いてました。
お土産屋さんと一緒なので、お買物も出来ます。
私は宿付近で乗り、違う街のレンタカー会社付近バス停で降ろして頂きました。
そんな融通性もあり、とても親切です。
オススメです♪

Once we entered the World Heritage area, we were able to see scenery that cannot be found on the mainland, and the tour itself was great. However, despite confirming the meeting place multiple times over the phone the day before, the bus passed right by us. Fortunately, the owner of our accommodation drove us to catch up with the bus, and we managed to get on. If it hadn't been for that, we would have missed the tour.

世界遺産の区域内へ入ると内地では見られない景色もみられて、ツアー自体は良かったが朝の待ち合わせ場所を、前日に電話で何度も確認したにもかかわらず、バスが我々の前を通りすぎてしまい、宿の主人が我々を車に乗せておいかけて行ってくれて、何とか乗れたがそうでなかったら、ツアーに参加できないところだった。

I was able to make a complete loop around Yakushima in half a day, visiting various sightseeing points, which was very enjoyable. I saw a yakuzaru grooming itself from the bus window, and it didn't run away at all, allowing me to watch it slowly. I also got to see a yakushika and had some photos taken… The weather was a mix of light rain and clear spells, but I enjoyed interacting with the other participants in the tour, and the bus guide's stories were great. The bus driver was very skilled at driving 😊 Thank you for the wonderful experience.

半日で　屋久島を約一周出来て、観光のポイントポイントを回ってくれるので、満喫出来ました。車窓から見る　やくざるが、毛繕いしていて　全然逃げずに　ゆっくり見れました。やく鹿も見れて、写真も撮ってもらって…。お天気は、小雨が降ったりやんだりでしたが、ツアーに参加している人とも触れ合いながら、バスガイドさんのお話も　良かったです。バスの運転手さんの運転の上手い事😊お世話になりました。

On the afternoon of the day we arrived in Yakushima via Kagoshima by air from Tokyo, we participated as a couple.

On the way to Yakusugi Land and the Jomon Sugi, our guide kept us entertained with enjoyable stories about the various regions of the island and everyday life, making sure we never got bored. Thanks to the driver, who skillfully maneuvered a large bus along the narrow, winding mountain roads, and the two female staff members, we had a pleasant half-day experience.

Although we weren't very confident in our physical abilities, our considerate guide led us through the natural beauty of Yakusugi Land, where we witnessed the timeless flow of nature and experienced the grandeur of Jomon Sugi. We were also able to take photos at various spots, which left us very satisfied.

In the end, we were dropped off at our accommodation, and while it may be presumptuous to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our beginner's experience in Yakushima!

東京から空路鹿児島経由で屋久島入りした当日の午後、夫婦で参加しました。
ヤクスギランドと紀元杉に向かう道すがら、島内各地区の紹介をはじめ、普段の生活振りまで楽しいお話で飽きさせないガイドさん、山間の道幅が狭い箇所も少なくない九十九折りの道でも大きなバスを難なく操る運転手さんと、二人の女性スタッフのおかげで、半日気持ちよく過ごせました。
また当方脚にあまり自信のない二人でしたが、これまた気配りあるガイドさんに案内してもらい、悠久の時間が流れるヤクスギランドの自然を目の当たりにし、紀元杉の大きさも体感出来た上、各所で写真も撮って頂き、大満足です。
最後は宿まで送って貰い、僭越ですが初心者としての屋久島を堪能させてもらいました！

I was fortunate to have good weather on Yakushima, which is famous for its high probability of rainfall. Thanks to the meticulous care of a veteran female duo (the driver, Ms. Kihara, and the guide, Ms. Habu), it turned into a memorable day. The stories they shared during our travels were all fascinating and very enjoyable.

I don't have the physical strength, energy, or stamina to just go see Jomon Sugi, but this tour was more than enough for me. Even though it was a small bus, navigating the narrow one-lane roads of the western forest trail was quite thrilling. It was challenging to pass by oncoming vehicles. If you’re not confident in your driving, it would be very difficult.

I had heard that many women from Yakushima have a straightforward personality, and it was refreshing to hear them speak without using any cushion phrases (like "I apologize for the trouble..." or "I'm sorry, but..."). They would simply state, "I can't do it!" or "It doesn't exist!" This direct way of speaking inspired me to incorporate it into my daily life as well (laughs).

降水確率の高さで有名な屋久島で、運良くお天気に恵まれ、ベテランとおぼしき女性コンビ(ドライバーのキハラさんとガイドのハブさん)のこまやかな気遣いのおかげで、思い出に残る一日になりました。
移動中にしてくださったお話はどれも興味深く、とても楽しかったです。
縄文杉を見に行くだけの体力･気力･調整力は持ち合わせていない身には、このツアーで十分。
小型のバスとは言え、1車線の狭い西部林道を進んでいくのはちょっとしたスリルでした。
対向車がくるとすれ違いが大変。
あれは運転に自信がないととてもムリです。
｢屋久島の女性はサバサバした性格のひとが多い｣と聞いていましたが、いわゆるクッション言葉(｢お手数ですが・・・｣｢すみませんが・・・｣ etc.)は一切使わず、｢できません！｣｢ありません！｣と断言する話し方はかなり新鮮で、これは自分の日常生活にも取り入れようという気持ちになりました(笑)。

I was really lucky to have clear weather on Yakushima, which is usually rainy. I was able to visit famous tourist spots in order, and since I was traveling alone, having lunch included was a great help. Because there were few participants, I could listen closely to the guide's explanations. I've heard that this time of year in spring is recommended for sightseeing. I was very satisfied with the bus tour, especially since I was able to visit Yakusugi Land and the Jomon Sugi, which I really wanted to see at the end.

雨の多い屋久島で、参加した日は快晴で本当にラッキーでした　有名な観光地も順にまわってもらえて昼食付きで一人旅だったので助かりました　参加者が少なかったおかげでガイドさんの説明もしっかり聞くことができました　春のこの時期は観光におすすめだそうです　行きたかったヤクスギランドと紀元杉も最後に行けてとても満足したバスツアーでした

I was looking for a sightseeing bus or taxi because I wasn't confident driving alone. The Yakuzaru bus can take you around Yakushima in one day and offers great value, so I booked it right away. On the day of the tour, they picked me up at my hotel and took me to the airport, which made me feel at ease. The guide's explanations were thorough and interesting, and the driver was skilled. I am very satisfied. Thank you very much!

一人旅で運転に自信がないので、観光バスか観光タクシーを探していました。
やくざる号は1日で屋久島を一周出来ますし、コスパもよいので、すぐに予約しました。
当日はホテルまでお迎えに来ていただき、空港まで送っていただいたので、安心して乗車出来ました。
ガイドの方の説明も丁寧で、興味深く、運転手さんも運転が上手でした。
とても満足しています。どうもありがとうございました。

I participated with my two children! It was a half-day tour around Yakushima, packed with highlights. Thanks to the wonderful combination of our guide and driver, we were able to fully enjoy the island's scenery and nature; it was a very fun trip. The weather was great, and amidst the stunning views, we bought and ate delicious tankan (a type of citrus) from a local unmanned stall. We also encountered Yakuzaru monkeys and Yakushima deer on the western forest road, were amazed by the big waves at Inakahama, and even got to collect seashells, which left us very satisfied. We were able to explore the island, and it made me want to visit Yakushima again. Thank you very much!

子供２人と参加しました！
午前中半日で屋久島をぐるっと一周回れる見所もりだくさんのツアー。ガイドさん、運転士さんのゴールデンコンビさんのおかげで島の様子や自然を堪能できるとても楽しい旅でした。お天気もよく最高の景色の中、地元の無人販売で美味しいたんかんを買って食べたり、西部林道でやくざる・やくしかにも会え、いなかはまで大きな波に感動し、貝殻拾いまで出来て大満足でした。島の様子も見て回ることができ、また屋久島に行きたいと思える旅でした。ありがとうございました。

It was forecasted to rain, but we were able to walk without any rain. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and we had a great time exploring. We even got to see the Japanese macaques, and they were so cute! The driver was also very skilled, navigating the mountain roads smoothly. It was really great.

雨の予報でしたが、降らずに歩けました　　知識豊富なガイドさんで、楽しく回れました。
ヤクザルにも会えてとても可愛いかったです。運転手さんも、とても運転上手な方で　山道だけどスムーズ　とても良かったです。

I used this service the day after trekking to Jomon Sugi as a way to rest. I recommend it because you can enjoy seeing various sights by bus.

One point of dissatisfaction is that as a solo traveler, I had to pay for two seats due to the pricing policy. However, I noticed that there were several people who were not traveling alone but were using multiple seats because there were empty seats available. I would like to see this policy enforced more strictly.

縄文杉トレッキングした次の日に休養がてら利用しました。バスで色々見られて楽しめるのでおすすめです。
不満点として1人だと2座席分な為に割り増し料金ですが空席があるために1人で来てないのに席を複数使ってる方が何人かいましたのでそこは徹底してもらいたい。

The guide has a lot of knowledge. I really felt the history of Yakushima and the joy of the forest. The guide is a very charming person. Thank you!

ガイドが知識沢山持っています。
屋久島の歴史、森の楽しさを十分感じました。
ガイドはとても魅力がある人です。
ありがとうございます!

I had a wonderful time. The female driver was lovely, and I felt safe during the ride. The guide was also great and kind, providing a clear and informative tour. I'm really glad I participated in this bus tour. Traveling alone as a woman can be a bit anxiety-inducing, but I really wanted to do some sightseeing, and it turned out to be the perfect choice.

とても良い時間を過ごさせていただきました。女性の運転手さんで、素敵な方、安心して乗車することができました。
ガイドさんも素敵で親切、よくわかるガイドをしてくださいました。このバスツアーに参加できて、本当に良かったです。
女性一人旅…何かと不安…でもガッツリ観光がしたい…大正解でした。

I had the pleasure of participating in a wonderful tour. Thanks to our guide, I was able to learn a lot about Yakushima and had a very fulfilling time. I sincerely appreciate it.

素晴らしいツアーに参加させていただきました。ガイドさんのおかげで屋久島の色々なことが学べ、とても充実した時間を過ごすことが出来ました。心より感謝申し上げます。

This is a tour that takes almost a full day to circle around the main attractions of Yakushima. Since most other tours in Yakushima are focused on hiking, I think this is the only tour for those who want to enjoy a leisurely sightseeing experience.

ほぼ1日かけて屋久島の主な名所を１周するツアーです。
他の屋久島のツアーはほとんどが登山なので、とりあえずのんびり観光したい人には唯一のツアーだと思います。

I participated in a one-day tour. Since we could take a bus close to the destination, there wasn't much walking involved. It was very enjoyable.

1日のツアーに参加しました。目的地の近くまでバスで行けるので、あまり歩くこともなかったです。とても楽しかったです。

The guide was incredibly friendly and provided detailed explanations throughout the entire tour. Although the tour was conducted in Japanese, he spoke more slowly for foreign guests, which made it mostly easy to understand. For those who didn’t speak Japanese, he thoughtfully used Google Translate to explain everything clearly to each person.

The itinerary was very well arranged, and he drove safely the entire time. For first-time visitors to Yakushima, this is absolutely the best tour you could choose.

The guide was incredibly friendly and provided detailed explanations throughout the entire tour. Although the tour was conducted in Japanese, he spoke more slowly for foreign guests, which made it mostly easy to understand. For those who didn’t speak Japanese, he thoughtfully used Google Translate to explain everything clearly to each person.

The itinerary was very well arranged, and he drove safely the entire time. For first-time visitors to Yakushima, this is absolutely the best tour you could choose.

It was raining quite hard during our tour—we are from a dry climate and weren’t really prepared, but that’s on us. This is one of the wettest places in the world, after all! Our guide was very kind and helpful, even though most people in the group did not speak Japanese. The forest is absolutely stunning! Highly recommended.

I had a great time driving while listening to the explanations. I was able to encounter deer and monkeys, and it was fascinating to hear about the banyan trees.

説明を聞きながらのドライブで楽しくいろいろ知れました。
鹿や猿にも対面することができ、ガジュマルの説明も聞けて興味深かったです。

I visited Yakushima for the first time. I joined this tour because I wanted to go to Yakusugi Land. The guide's explanations on the bus helped me understand a lot about Yakushima. I especially recommend it for first-time visitors.

初めて屋久島に来ました。ヤクスギランドに行きたくてこのツアーに参加しました。バス車内でのガイドさんの説明で屋久島のことが良くわかりました。初めては方は特にお勧めします。

I was the only participant on the day of the tour. They provided taxi transportation, and I appreciated that they still conducted the tour even with just one person.

As I listened to the explanations from the driver and guide, I explored the area, and since there were no other visitors at Sugiland, it felt like a private experience. I was able to take my time without worrying about others.

Being alone allowed me to move quickly, and although the original course was supposed to be 30 minutes, they guided me through a 50-minute course. This was a beginner-friendly hiking course, perfect for someone like me. Since it was a bit chilly and drizzling, I wore a waterproof windbreaker over my ultra-light down jacket, along with trekking shoes and rain pants. At one point, there was even some snow falling.

Given that it was the off-season, I was able to explore thoroughly, making it a valuable tour.

当日の参加者自分のみ。タクシーで案内してくださったのですが参加一人でも催行してくださるのは有りがたかったです。
運転手兼ガイドのかたの説明を聞きながら見て回るのですがスギランドに人が全くいず貸切状態。人目を気にせずじっくり回りました。
やはり1人なので回るのも早く本来30分コースらしいですが50分コースを案内してくださいました。
私のようなハイキング初心者向けのコースです。山なので少し寒いのと小雨だったのでウルトラライトダウンの上に防水ウインドブレーカーを羽織り、下はトレッキングシューズ、レインパンツの格好です。途中雪が散ってました。
閑散期もあり、じっくりまわれて価値あるツアーでした。

I participated in a tour around Yakushima Island. The guide was very knowledgeable, and I was able to learn a lot about the island. The driver was also excellent, skillfully navigating very narrow roads. I don't think I would have made it there if I were driving. We saw monkeys and deer, and the meals provided during the tour were delicious. I was fortunate to be surrounded by great people, making it a fun experience. Thank you very much.

屋久島一周のツアーに参加しました。
ガイドさんは知識が豊富で島のことをよく知ることができました。
運転手さんも、とても細い道をぐんぐん進んで上手な運転でした。普段運転しない私なら辿り着けなかったと思います。
猿や鹿も見られ、ツアーについてくるご飯も美味しく、人にも恵まれて楽しい体験になりました。
ありがとうございました。