All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

I felt an extraordinary love for Yakushima and for us tourists! During the tour, they sang folk songs and shared a lot of information about the trees and birds.

とびっきりの屋久島愛と私たち観光客への愛を感じました！
ガイド中に民謡を歌っていただけたり、木についてや鳥についてたくさんお話ししてくださいました。

First time trekking to Jomon Sugi. As a couple in our 50s, we prepared by walking around our neighborhood and hiking on local trails. We successfully reached Jomon Sugi and made it back down. This time, we booked a tour here and our guide taught us a lot about Yakushima, Yakusugi, and the World Heritage site. They also took photos for us and shared tips about climbing, making the tour very enjoyable. We were in a team of about seven people, divided by age, which made for a great trekking experience.

Things I was glad to bring:
Rainwear (Gore-Tex or Workman), trekking shoes, trekking poles, a waist pack, a 500ml water bottle, and an empty bottle.

Things I didn't need:
A flashlight and extra snacks (if you eat the provided lunch, you don't need as many snacks).

On the way back, perhaps feeling relaxed, someone from our team fell on the trolley path. Due to the risk of a fracture, the guide provided perfect first aid with ointment, taping, and a splint to support the arm. They also arranged for transportation to the hospital and accompanied the person there. It was reassuring that the other tour guides communicated via radio.

I’m really glad I participated in this guided tour.

はじめましての縄文杉トレッキング。50代夫婦のため、近所歩いたりハイキングコース歩いたり、事前に体を調整。無事に、縄文杉まで行き、下山することができました。今回は、ツアーをこちらで申込みガイドさんに、屋久島の事、屋久杉や世界遺産についてなど、いろいろと教えてもらいました。また、写真も撮ってくれたり、登山に対してのポイントなど教えてくれツアーで良かったと思いました。1人のガイドさんに今回は、〜７人のチーム。年齢でわけていただいてるのたようで、数チームにわかれてのトレッキングでした。
持ってって良かったもの
レインウェア（ゴアテックスかワークマン）、トレッキングシューズ、トレッキングポール、腰付きのリュック、500mlのペットボトルと空きのペットボトル。
不要だったもの
ライト、多めのおやつ（朝昼の弁当食べるなら少なくても良かった）
帰りに気が緩むのか、同じチームの人が、トロッコ道で転倒。骨折の恐れありのため、ガイドさん湿布、テーピング、宛て木し腕を吊るすまで完璧な応急処置。その後も、病院への案内、車の手配、付き添われて行きました。他のツアーガイドさんとも無線で連携され安心できました
今回、ガイドさん込みのツアーに参加できとてもよかったです

On the day, we were blessed with good weather and enjoyed the sparkling forests of Yakushima! The guide's stories were also very interesting. Thank you for everything from early in the morning!

当日は天候に恵まれ、屋久島のキラキラの森を楽しめました！
ガイドさんのお話もとても面白かったです。
朝早くからありがとうございました！

First of all, the round trip trekking of 10 and a half hours requires quite a bit of leg strength. By the time we returned, my legs were shaking, but our guide (Mr. Kiyota) was very kind, and I was able to complete the trek with his guidance. Given the long distance, I think it's somewhat unavoidable to consider pacing, but we couldn't really take our time to enjoy the scenery along the way. Especially on the initial stretch along the trolley tracks, it felt like we were just walking steadily without pause.

That said, I was fortunate enough to encounter both the Yakuzaru (Japanese macaque) and the Yakushika (Japanese deer) during the trek, which made me very happy. Given the season, I also enjoyed listening to the calls of the bush warblers. I hurriedly took photos since we didn't have much time, which became a nice memory.

The guide also prepared miso soup for us during lunch and shared herbal medicine for muscle pain, which was greatly appreciated. Learning about the history of Yakushima and the knowledge of Jomon Sugi at various points was very educational. I am truly grateful for that.

It was also convenient to be able to pre-order a bento, saving me the hassle of preparing my own. Blessed with good weather, it was a day to appreciate the unique beauty of Yakushima, the strength of the plants including Jomon Sugi, and the blessings of nature. Thank you very much!

先ず、やはり往復10時間半のトレッキングはかなりの脚力を要します。
戻る頃には足がガクガクでしたが、ガイドの方（キヨタ様）がとても良い方で、なんとか導かれながらやり遂げることが出来ました。
距離が長い分、ペース配分を考えるとある程度致し方ないかとは思いますが、道中はゆっくり景色を楽しみながらのんびり…といった感じでは進めません。特に最初のトロッコ線路上はひたすら黙々と歩き続ける感じです。
とは言え、幸運にも道中ヤクザルやヤクシカにも出会うことが出来て、嬉しかったです。季節柄、鴬の啼き声も楽しく聴きました。時間があまりないので慌てて写真を撮ったことも良い想い出です。
ガイドさんには昼食時のお味噌汁をご準備いただいたり、筋肉痛に効く漢方を分けて下さったりと、大変お世話になりました。要所要所で伺う屋久島の歴史や縄文杉の知識なども、とても勉強になりました。改めて、心より感謝です。
お弁当を予めオーダー出来るのも、自身で用意する手間が省けて有難かったです。
好天に恵まれ、改めて屋久島の独特の美しさ、縄文杉を始めとする植物の力強さ、自然の恵みに感謝した一日でした。ありがとうございました！

Due to the heavy rain, I took a short walk within the range I could. I was disappointed that I couldn't go to the Forest of the Spirits that I wanted to visit, but the guide explained various things while sharing funny stories, which made it enjoyable in its own way. Since we finished early, the guide also introduced us to the rental car, thank you very much.

大雨のため、行ける範囲で小散歩。行きたかったもののけの森に行けず残念でしたが、ガイドさんは、笑い話も交えていろいろと説明してくれて、それなりに楽しめました。早く終わったのでガイドさんがレンタカーまで紹介、ありがとうございました。

The schedule was tight time-wise, but I was glad to finally meet the Jomon Sugi. The Jomon Sugi shrouded in mist was divine, and I felt the grandeur of nature. On the way back after seeing the Jomon Sugi, I felt a bit of fatigue, but the guide's unique stories were refreshing and eased my tiredness. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you very much.

時間的にはタイトなスケジュール
でしたが、念願の縄文杉に出会う事が
出来て良かったです。
モヤがかかった縄文杉は神々しく、
自然の雄大さを感じました。
縄文杉を見た後の帰路は
少し脱力感を感じましたが、
ガイドの方のお話しがユニークで
疲れも癒され、
とてもいい経験が出来ました。
ありがとうございました。

We participated as a group of four, and we were blessed with good weather, allowing all of us to meet the Jomon Sugi safely. Our guide, Ko-chan (Kohei-kun), provided excellent guidance, care, and support, and I believe it was thanks to him that we all achieved this together. I can only express my gratitude for the precious and wonderful experience we had!

4人で参加したのですが、天候にも恵まれ、全員無事に縄文杉に会う事ができました。ガイドのこうちゃん［こうへい君］の案内、気遣い、フォローが素晴らしく、彼のお陰で皆んな揃って達成できたと思っています。貴重な素晴らしい体験ができたこと、感謝しかないです！

The guide was experienced and it was great. I believe the success of the Yakusugi tour depends on the guide's experience.

ガイドの方が経験豊富で良かったです。
屋久杉ツアーはガイドさんの経験により登山の成功が決まると思いました。

Since I hadn't been exercising much lately, my legs started to shake towards the end. Honestly, going down without trekking poles was tough, and I now wish I had rented some. I was so focused on keeping up that I didn't have much time to enjoy the scenery, so I realized that preparation is essential. Still, reaching Jomon Sugi was an amazing experience.

日頃あまり運動もしていなかったので、最後の方は足がガクガクになりました。ストック無しでの下山は正直キツかったので、やはりレンタルすれば良かったと今になって思います。
ついていくのに必死で、あまり景色を楽しむ余裕がありませんでしたので、やはり準備は必要だなと思いました。それでも、縄文杉まで行けた事は最高の体験でした。

The guide was kind and attentive, and despite my foot pain, I was able to keep up. It was a place I wanted to visit at least once in my lifetime, so I am very satisfied.

ガイドさんも優しく丁寧で、足の痛みを抱える私も何とか付いていくことができました。一生に一度は行きたい場所でしたので、非常に満足しています。

The scenery was of course amazing, but the tour guide was the best. They had a wealth of topics to discuss and shared them in such an interesting way that I forgot my fatigue and was able to enjoy the trekking.

絶景はもちろん最高でしたが、ツアーガイドさんが最高でした。
話題豊富でしかも面白く話してくれて、疲れを忘れてトレッキングできました。

Guide Mitsuhashi provided an accurate and insightful tour. He made every effort to avoid crowded times, and at Jomon Sugi and the Wilson stump, it felt almost like we had the place to ourselves. It was truly moving!

ガイドの三橋さんが的確なガイドをしてくださいました。混み合いそうなタイミングを極力避けてくださり、縄文杉やウィルソン株ではほぼ貸切なんじゃないかというくらいの空き具合、感動でした！

There were some hits and misses with the guide, and honestly, my guide wasn't very good.

Disappointments:
While the guide would stop at key points to explain things, they would immediately start walking again after finishing the explanation, leaving no time for taking photos. We arrived at the entrance before 5 PM, so we had plenty of time, and I wished there had been more time for photography.

There was no announcement about how many minutes the break would be, and the guide prioritized their own schedule, waiting until they finished their meal. While walking, the guide completely ignored the participants behind them, not noticing if anyone was lagging or even falling. They walked ahead without considering the participants' conditions, making it difficult to take water breaks.

Additionally, when using trekking poles on the stairs, it was hard to walk behind the guide because they would stick the poles out behind them.

However, there were certainly parts where having a guide was helpful, especially for pacing and knowing where the rest points were. For those who are not used to hiking, it's safer to have a guide.

ガイドによる当たり外れがあり自分のガイドは正直あまりよくはなかったです。
不満点
要所で止まって説明してくれるものの説明終わったらすぐ歩き出す為に写真撮影する時間がなかった。帰り入り口には5時前に着いており十分時間に余裕があったのでもう少し撮影する時間を取って欲しかった。
休憩時間が何分というアナウンスがなく、ガイドの食事終了までなどガイド都合優先だった。
歩いている際に後ろを全く気にしてない為に参加者が遅れていても転んでいても全く気がつかない。参加者の様子を考慮しないで歩いていくので給水しにくかった。
階段でトレッキングポールを後ろに突き出すのでガイドの真後ろだと歩きにくい。

ただしガイドがいないとペース配分や休憩ポイント等わからない部分もあるので助かった部分も当然あります。登山慣れしてない方はガイドを付けた方が無難です。

I had some anxiety due to lack of exercise, but I challenged myself because I wanted to see it at least once. The guide, **san, said, "If you only look through the lens, it's a waste! I want you to engrave it in your memory," and that love for Yakushima really came through in those words. I completely agreed with that. The guide was incredibly thorough, even teaching us about aftercare for muscle soreness.

I was fortunate to have great companions on the climb, and we had a lot of fun and were able to descend safely. The sense of accomplishment was immense✨️.

I've gained another unforgettable experience.

Thank you very much🙏.

運動不足で不安はありましたが、一度は見てみたいとチャレンジしました。
ガイドのき**さん、レンズを通してばかりだと、勿体ない！目に焼き付けて帰って欲しいと、屋久島愛が伝わる一言。まさに、その通りだと思いました。凄く丁寧にガイドは勿論のこと、筋肉痛のアフターケアまで教えてくださいました。
一緒に登った仲間にも恵まれ、とても楽しく、無事下山することができました。達成感は物凄かった✨️
心に残る体験が1つ増えました。
本当に、
ありがとう御座いました🙏

The guide was worried because the ages in this group were varied, but we all started walking with the goal of completing the course together. I was encouraged by the sight of older participants walking energetically, which helped me finish the course. Thanks to the guide and everyone in the group. Great job, everyone! ✨

ガイドさんがこのグループは年齢がばらばらなので、と心配されてましたが、とにかく全員で完歩をめあてに歩きはじめました。私よりご高齢の方が元気に歩いている姿に、励まされ完歩できました。ガイドさん、グループの皆さんのおかげです。お疲れ様でした。✨

We were probably grouped by age, and there were eight people from the same generation. We spent 10 hours together, got to know each other, and I saw them a few times the next day and had conversations with them. The guide paid close attention to everyone, which allowed us to trek with peace of mind. I'm glad I was able to accomplish one of the things I want to do before I die.

たぶん年代別にグループ分けされていて、同世代8人でした。10時間も一緒に過ごして、顔見知りになり、次の日も何回かお見かけして話をしたりしました。
ガイドの方はみんなの様子をよくみてくださって、安心してトレッキングをすることができました。
死ぬまでにやりたいことの１つを実行できて良かったです。

I participated alone and joined a group of five, including our guide.

Our guide, Kiyota, made jokes and engaged each of us in conversation, creating a friendly atmosphere throughout the tour.

Additionally, at various points, he took photos for each group, paying attention to posing and angles, and he did a great job. I really appreciate it! 🙏

Unfortunately, the weather was rainy, but it turned out to be a fun trekking experience. ✨

Thank you very much!

私は１人での参加で
ガイドさん含め５人で回りました。

ガイドの清田さんが、
冗談を交えながら
皆さんそれぞれに話を
振ってくださったりして
和やかな雰囲気で
回ることができました。

あと、ポイントポイントで
各グループごとに
写真を撮ってくださったのですが
ポージングや角度までこだわって
上手に撮っていただき、感謝です🙏

天気はあいにくの雨でしたが、
楽しいトレッキングになりました✨

ありがとうございました。

At first, I was a bit anxious about the 22-kilometer journey, but once I participated, I found that the combination of the flat trolley path and trekking made it challenging yet achievable. We set off early in the morning, and although we needed flashlights, it turned out to be a great experience. The sunrise we saw along the trolley path was incredibly beautiful.

Our guide shared humorous anecdotes while explaining the history and knowledge of Yakushima and the Yakusugi trees, making the trekking enjoyable. I also appreciated the explanations of various cedars and plants beyond the famous sites.

With appropriate breaks and adjustments to our walking order based on the guide's experience, our team, which had older members, was able to reach the goal without difficulty. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing Wilson Cedar, the Great Cedar, and Jomon Cedar, and this time we also got to see the trolleys working on the trolley path, as well as wild monkeys and deer, which left me very satisfied.

初めは22キロの道のりに不安もありましたが、実際に参加してみると平坦なトロッコ道とトレッキングの組み合わせで、楽ではないですが完歩することが出来ました。
出発は朝早く、懐中電灯が必要でしたが、それも良い経験で、トロッコ道の途中で見る朝日も非常に綺麗でした。
ガイドの方もユーモアを交えながら屋久島、屋久杉の歴史や知識を解説してくれて、楽しくトレッキング出来ました。
名所の他にも色々な杉や植物の説明も楽しかったです。
適度な休憩とチーム内の歩く順番の調整などガイドの方の経験値で年齢層の高いチームで
したが、無理なくゴール出来ました。
ウィルソン杉や大王杉、そして縄文杉と十分に堪能で出来、今回はトロッコ道で作業するトロッコや野生の猿や鹿も見ることが出来て、非常に満足しています。

My third-grade son loves guides. We thoroughly enjoyed the history of Yakushima and the fun of the forest. I want to go to Yakushima again in the summer.

小学校三年生の息子はガイド大好きです。屋久島の歴史、森の楽しさを十分感じました。まだ夏の時、屋久島へ行きたいです。

Thank you for sharing so many fun stories and interesting trivia related to trekking! It has become my best memory so far!

トレッキング中に関連する豆知識など楽しいお話を沢山してくださり、ありがとうございました！
今までで1番の思い出となりました！

I was very satisfied with the guide's interesting and engaging stories, as well as the nature of Yakushima. There were various other tours available, but I'm glad I chose this one.

ガイドさんの面白く興味深い話と屋久島の自然に大満足。
色々他のツアーありましたが、このツアーを選んで良かったです。

I participated with concerns about my lower back and hips, but the guide was considerate and supportive, allowing me to reach the finish line without feeling discouraged or getting injured. I believe I would have given up if it weren't for the guide's presence.

足腰に不安を抱えた状態での参加でしたが、ガイドさんが適度に気遣いくださり、気持ちが折れることなく怪我なくゴールすることが出来ました。
ガイドさんがいてくださらなかったら、諦めていたと思いました。

I was attended by the guide, Tsubone-san. I am very grateful for their help; without the guide's advice and support, I don't think I would have been able to climb at all, given my lack of experience in the mountains. The walking pace was about twice my usual speed, which was quite challenging, but they made sure to take regular breaks, maintaining a perfect pace until we arrived.

Additionally, at key points, they also took photos for everyone, which created wonderful memories.

Overall, it rained on the way there, but there were no accidents, and I was able to see the majestic sight of Jomon Sugi, making it a great trip. Thank you very much.

ガイドのツボネさんにアテンドしてもらいました。
大変お世話になり、ガイドさんのアドバイスやサポートなしには、山の経験のない自分には全く登れなかったと思います。
歩く速度が自分の通常の倍くらいでしたのでなかなか厳しくはありましたが、こまめに休憩も取っていただき、到着まで完璧なペース配分でした。
また要所要所では全員分の写真係もしていただき、良い思い出になりました。

全体を通して雨の行き道でしたが事故もなく、縄文杉の雄大な姿を見られてよい旅になりました。ありがとうございました。

In February, which is unusually warm and rainy for Yakushima, we had a fortunate trekking experience under completely clear skies. The members of the same team were all in great shape, and because we maintained a good pace, we were able to spend a considerable amount of time at Jomon Sugi, making it a meaningful experience.

2月としては異例の暖かさ且つ雨の屋久島で終始雲一つない晴天という恵まれた天候の中でのトレッキングでした。同じチームのメンバーも健脚揃いで、良いペースで会つけたことで縄文杉でかなりゆっくりした時間を取ることができ、有意義な体験となりました。

The weather was unfortunately bad, but once I started walking, I didn't feel the cold, and it felt just right. The scenery, the characters, and those scenes from the Studio Ghibli films! I wondered if they were inspired by this nature as I walked, and it was so much fun.

あいにくの天気でしたが、歩き始めると寒さは感じず、ちょうど良い感じでした。
ジブリ作品でみたあの景色、あのキャラクター、あの作品のあのシーン！この自然から思いついたのかしら？なんて考えながら歩くのがとっても楽しかったです。

Climbing during the off-peak season allowed us to listen to the explanations at a leisurely pace, take our time with photos, and there was no waiting for the restroom, which was fantastic! I was very satisfied to reach Jomon Sugi safely, and the guide's professional timing for our return was impressive. The coffee and cocoa prepared by the guide were exceptional in taste.

閑散期の登山は説明をゆっくり聞く事ができ、写真もゆっくり撮れ、トイレで並ぶこともなくて最高でした！
無事縄文杉まで辿り着く事ができて大満足でしたし、帰りの時間にぴったりとガイドしてくださるプロの技もあっぱれでした。
ガイドさんが用意してくださったコーヒーとココアの美味しさは格別でした。

The forecast predicted rain on the day of the trek, and I was a bit anxious about my first long hike. However, thanks to our guide, who kindly matched our pace, it turned out to be a wonderful experience.

There were moments when heavy rain poured down on the way there, but it created a mystical atmosphere. On the way back, the skies cleared up, and the droplets on the leaves and moss reflected the light, making the entire forest sparkle beautifully. I felt very lucky to experience both sunshine and rain in one day and to see the various faces of Yakushima.

当日は雨予報で、初めての長時間トレッキングで少し不安でしたが、ガイドの方がやさしくペースを合わせてガイドしてくださったおかげでとてもいい体験になりました。
行きはザーッと大雨が降るときもありましたが、それはそれで神秘な雰囲気でした。帰り道は晴れ上がり、木々の葉っぱや苔についたしずくが反射して森全体がきらめいてとても美しかったです。一日で晴れも雨も経験し、様々な屋久島の姿を拝見することができてとてもラッキーだと感じました。

A wonderful day even if the weather was bad the first hours of walking (rain). The misty forest, the big old and mysterious trees and the little world of the moss are so beautiful and well preserved! We were two with the guide (who speaks English contrary of what is written on the website). Read that some people had problems with the guide but he has done the job seriously. Yes he walks quickly sometimes, but we have no choice: we need to go down for the last bus. The problem is the bus schedule (which should pass one hour later), definitely not the guide! So he knows exactly what he's doing, we walked quite well and we finally arrived 10 minutes before the bus departure! If you feel that you are not in condition to walk quickly in hard mountain road (the last kilometers) it's better to give up this activity, and please don't try it without a guide during winter because we saw a few irresponsible guys underestimating the dangers of nature (no crampons on icy path, no warm clothes, walking late...)! Personally, I like this kind of guide who looks severe at the beginning, but little by little you discover that he just ask you to do what you need to do. He is kind too: giving some of his hot miso soup for lunch, taking lots of beautiful photos for you (because I must say it's hard to take photos by yourself, no time to fool around), giving very useful crampons for walking in the snow (two minutes to put it on your shoes), talking with you... Finally it was an amazing natural and human experience!

We participated as a family of five. Since it was cold, we dressed quite warmly, but while walking, we ended up getting hot and sweating. However, when we stopped for a moment, it became cold again. We rented raincoats, but wearing a fleece under the raincoat was sufficient. My gloves were also too warm, so I think using work gloves would be better. There were more ups and downs than I expected, which made me a bit anxious at first, but our guide taught us how to walk, move our feet, and breathe, so I was able to trek with peace of mind. Along the way, we enjoyed discussions about plants and explanations about cedar trees.

After walking for about two hours, we found a restroom and used it. On the way back, we retraced the same route, but I felt quite a strain on my knees going downhill. The next day, I had muscle soreness, but the Kumozu Gorge was incredibly mystical and beautiful, so it was a very satisfying tour. It was also nice that there were fewer people since it was winter.

家族5人で参加しました。寒いと言うことで結構厚着していきましたが歩いてると暑くなってしまい汗をかきましたがちょっと止まると今度は寒くなってきます。
レインコートレンタルしましたが
フリースにレインコートて十分でした。手袋もあつかったので軍手の方がいいかとおもいます。思った以上にアップダウンがあって最初不安になりましたが
ガイトさんが歩き方や足の運び方、息づかいを教えてもらったので安心してトレッキングできました。途中植物の話や杉の説明などしてもらえるので楽しめました
2時間ほど歩いたところにトイレがあり利用しました。
帰りは同じルートを戻りますが
下りはひざにかなり負担をかんじます。
次の日は筋肉痛になりましたが
雲水峡はとても神秘的で美しかったので大満足のツアーでした。
冬なので人が少なかったのも良かったです

My wife and I participated in a tour together. We decided to join because it was possible to participate until the age of 70, but I have some mountain climbing experience while my wife is almost a beginner. From the start of the trek on the trolley path, she was a bit slow, and once we finished the trolley path and began the actual climb, it became quite challenging to keep up.

The guide informed us that at this pace, we wouldn't make it back to the bus on time, and that beginners should sign up for a private tour. I managed to carry my wife's backpack, and we somehow made it to Jomon Sugi.

Additionally, there were other beginners in the group, and we found ourselves in a situation where we needed to put on crampons due to the snowy conditions. However, the guide only handed out the crampons and did not assist with putting them on.

According to the climbing app, our pace was about 110-120% of the average. I think it would have been better if the usual sightseeing explanations were shortened and adjusted to the participants' skill levels, allowing for a slower pace.

I hope that in the pre-registration information, they can specify the required climbing skills so that participants can determine whether they are capable of joining.

Despite the difficulties, I was moved by the sight of Jomon Sugi.

妻と2人でツアーに参加しました
70歳迄ツアー参加可能ということで参加を決めたのですが、私は登山経験有りで妻は殆ど初心者。行きのトロッコ道を歩く時から少し遅れ気味だったのですが、トロッコ道を終え、本格的に登り始めるところからついていくのがかなり厳しかったです
ガイドからこのペースだと帰りのバスに間にあわない、初心者は個別ツアーに申し込むべきだと告げられました
妻のザックを私が担いであがる事でなんとか縄文杉までは到着しました
また、他にも登山初心者の方が参加されていたの雪道でアイゼンを付けなければならない状態だったのですが、ガイドはアイゼンを渡すだけで付け方を手伝うことはありませんでした
登山アプリでの行動ペースは一般の110〜120%となっており、普段実施されている観光説明を参加者のスキルにあわせて短くし、ゆっくり目に歩いてあげる様な配慮もあってよかったと思います
申し込みの事前告知に求める登山スキルを記載して、参加者がこれなら参加できる、できないの判断ができる様にしてくれる事を望みます

苦しくても見ることの出来た縄文杉には感動しました。