All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

This was my second time visiting Jomon Sugi, but I invited a friend who was going for the first time because I thought it would be great. However, I really realized how much the tour can differ depending on the guide. The guide's knowledge was lacking, and even though there were participants who fell multiple times, he ignored them. I fell once, and after a brief pause, I couldn't catch up anymore. My friend and I were saying that if it was going to be like this, it wasn't worth the money we spent to participate.

縄文杉へは2回目でしたが、初めて行く連れにとてもよかったから行こうと誘って参加したツアーでした。ただ本当にガイドさんでこんなにも違うツアーになるんだなと実感。知識は薄いし何度も転んでる参加者がいても無視、私は1度転んで少し間があいたら、もう追いつくことすらできず、連れと2人でこれだったらお金出して参加した意味無いねと言っていました。

The weather was perfect, making for an amazing trekking experience! The shuttle service to near the accommodation and the lunch arrangements were very helpful. The guide was great and matched our pace! Due to COVID-19 precautions, the guide took photos with their camera and sent them to us. The 10-hour trek left us exhausted, but it was a fulfilling time.

天候にも恵まれ最高のトレッキングでした！
宿近くまでの送迎も、昼食の手配も助かりました。
ガイドさんもこちらのペースに合わせてくれる方で良かったです！
コロナ対策でガイドさんのカメラで写真を撮り送ってくれました。
１０時間のトレッキングはクタクタになりましたが、充実した時間になりました。

I was worried about the rain until the day before, but it was sunny on the day of the tour, and I was able to walk around happily! The tour guide was very polite and taught us many things, making it easy to talk and walk comfortably! Due to the impact of COVID-19, we couldn't go abroad for our honeymoon, but this trip became our honeymoon! It turned out to be a wonderful memory!

前日まで雨が心配でしたが、当日は晴れて楽しく歩くことができました！ツアーガイドさんがとても丁寧に色々なことを教えてくれたりして話しやすく、安心して歩けました！コロナの影響で行きたかった海外へ新婚行けませんでしたが、この旅が新婚旅行になりました！すごくいい思い出となりました！

The weather was unstable until the day before, and I was worried about rain, but it turned out sunny. The tour guide matched our personalities well, making it easy to talk, listen, and walk, which allowed us to participate with great peace of mind and enjoyment! From the moment we arrived in Yakushima, they carefully helped us with our shoes, so we could look forward to the next day with confidence! There were many amazing cedars before reaching Jomon Sugi, and when I finally saw the cedar I wanted to see the most, it was a bit disappointing that it was far from my viewing position, but it became a precious moment! It turned into a wonderful memory! Thank you very much!

前日まで天気が安定せず雨が心配でしたが、晴れてくれました。ツアーガイドさんが私たちの性格にあっており、話しやすく聞きやすく歩きやすく、とても安心して楽しく参加することができました！屋久島到着してすぐの靴の合わせから丁寧にしていただき安心して次の日を待ってられました！縄文杉を見るまでにすごい杉がたくさんあって、一番見たかった杉を見たときには、見る位置から遠くて少し残念でしたが、貴重な時間となりました！！
いい思い出になりました！ありがとうございました！！

I participated with a friend who isn't very fit. There were 5 participants, and we had one guide. I was worried about keeping up physically, but I was able to see the Jomon Sugi safely! Additionally, I learned a lot about the cedar trees, mountains, and islands from our guide, which made for a very satisfying experience. It was great to have other participants, as it motivated me to do my best and I enjoyed hearing various stories. Thank you very much!!

体力のない友人と2人で参加しました。参加者5名に対し、ガイドさんが1名ついてくれました。
体力的についていけるか不安でしたが、無事縄文杉を見ることができました！
また、ガイドさんだからこその杉や山、島に関することを教えてもらい大満足の時間でした。
他の参加者がいたからこそ、頑張ろうと思えたし、いろいろな話を聞けて良かったです。
ありがとうございました！！

The tour guide provided an incredibly informative experience, allowing us to enjoy the Yakusugi trekking much more than we would have on our own. Additionally, this tour was great because it offered direct transportation from the hotel in the Miyanoura area to the trailhead without the need for transfers, which was very convenient.

ツアーガイドの方のガイドがとても内容の濃いもので、個人でトレッキングするより数倍も屋久杉トレッキングを楽しめました。
また、このツアーは他のツアーと比較してホテル(宮之浦地区)から登山口まで乗り換えする必要なく直通で送迎してくれたのが良かったです。

The shuttle bus had strict infection control measures, including mask-wearing, and we were blessed with great weather. It was truly the best Jomon Sugi tour! The guide provided thorough explanations, which were very educational, and it made me want to learn more about Yakushima's nature.

送迎バスの中でマスクの着用など感染症対策をしっかりやってくださって天気にも恵まれて本当に最高の縄文杉ツアーでした！
ガイドさんが丁寧に説明してくださって大変勉強になったし、もっと屋久島の自然を知りたいと思えました。

What a disappointment! I thought it was lucky to have one guide for two tour guests at first, but I got tired trying to keep up and gave up halfway! Despite having paid for the tour, I couldn't make it to Jomon Sugi.

残念な!
ガイド一人に二人のツアー客、はじめラッキーと思ったが、ついて行くのに疲れ、途中で断念!　せっかくお金を払ってツアーに参加したのがあだとなって縄文杉に辿り着かなかった

I participated in August 2020. I usually engage in sports, but it was my first time hiking, and I was a bit worried about the 22-kilometer round trip. However, once I started, the trolley path was easy to walk and gentle, and the mountain trail to Jomon Sugi was manageable with breaks, so I didn't feel any difficulty at all.

令和2年8月に参加しました。
普段からスポーツをしておりますが、登山は初めてですし往復22キロの山道ということで少し心配でした。
参加してみると、トロッコ道は歩きやすくて緩やかですし、縄文杉までの山道も休憩を入れながらだったので、辛い感じは全くありませんでした。

I was nervous about whether I could reach Jomon Sugi on my first trekking trip, which was a round trip of 10 hours, but the weather was not too hot and it hardly rained, so I was able to enjoy the walk until the end! Thanks to the guide's advice, I didn't suffer much from muscle pain the next day and was able to fully enjoy Yakushima! Thank you very much.

初めてのトレッキングが往復10時間の縄文杉ツアーで縄文杉まで辿り着けるかドキドキしていましたが、天候も暑すぎず雨も殆ど降らず最後まで楽しく歩くことができました！
ガイドさんのアドバイスのおかげで次の日もさほど筋肉痛に苦しむこともなく屋久島を堪能できました！ありがとうございました。

I wasn't confident in my physical strength and was unsure about the 22-kilometer trek, but thanks to the guide's experience, I was able to pace myself well. My long-held wish came true, and I was moved. Thank you so much.

体力に自信がなく、22キロの工程をどうかと思ったが、ガイドさんの経験からペース配分がしっかり出来た。念願がかなった、感動した。本当にありがとう。

I was exhausted from the long hike, but thanks to our guide, I had a great time! I learned about the names of birds and plants, as well as the history of Yakusugi!

長いハイキングでくたくたになりましたが、ガイドさんのおかげで楽しめました！鳥や植物の名前、屋久杉の歴史も教えてもらえました！

While it's possible to go by bus individually, the round-trip shuttle service to the accommodation was very helpful. Especially on the way back, we were taken right after our arrival, so there was no loss of time.

The guide adjusted the walking pace and was considerate to ensure we didn't get tired.

Yakushima is known for its rain, but we were blessed with great weather, making for the best Jomon Sugi trekking experience.

個人でもバスで行けなくはありませんが、宿まで往復送迎が付いていて助かりました。特に帰りは到着後すぐに送ってもらえてロスがありませんでした。

ガイドさんは歩くペースを調整してくれて、疲れないように気を遣っていただけました。

雨が多い屋久島ですが、天気に恵まれ最高の縄文杉トレッキングでした。

I always wanted to go, but I was worried about my physical stamina... As time passed and my physical abilities declined, I decided to participate. It became the best memory of this summer.

This tour is all-inclusive.

When renting trekking gear, there is a fitting for shoes upon arrival at the airport. The rental shop provides advice. As a result, I returned without any blisters.

A major feature of the tour is the dedicated shuttle service to the trailhead. Using a regular bus has a set schedule, which means you have to stick to that for departures and arrivals at the trailhead. However, we arrived early before other tours, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and started at our own pace without being rushed by the bus departure on the way back.

We were fortunate with the weather and our guide. While the rain-soaked cedar forests of Yakushima are said to be mystical, as a beginner, I hoped it wouldn't rain... and my wish was granted with clear skies all day. Our guide, Ryo Takahashi from the Yakushima Guide Association, provided detailed explanations of key locations and kept us engaged with information about Yakushima and personal stories. Thanks to Takahashi's engaging talk, our walking pace increased, allowing us extra time to stop by a special place on the way back.

Meeting the Jomon Cedar was an emotional experience, and I felt it was worth coming. This tour taught me that travel is not just about going to see a specific destination and returning.

一度は行ってみたいけど、体力的に心配…
と思っていて年月が経って、ますます運動機能が低下していたので、思いきって参加してみました。
今夏の最高の想い出になりました。

このツアーは至れり尽くせりです。

トレッキング用具のレンタルでは、空港に着いた時にシューズの試着があります。
レンタル用具屋さんがアドバイスしてくれます。
結果、全く靴ずれせず帰ってこれました。

登山口までツアー専用送迎も大きな特徴です。
定期バス利用ではスケジュールが決まっているので、それに合わせて登山口発着になりますが、
他のツアーが来る前に早く着いて、ゆっくり朝ご飯食べてスタートして、帰りもバスの出発に追われる事なく参加者のペースで歩けます。

今回恵まれたのはお天気とガイドさん。
雨の屋久杉の森も幻想的だそうですが、初心者としては降ってほしくない…その願いが届いて、終日晴天でした。
ガイドは、屋久島ガイド協会から高橋亮さんにご担当いただきました。
ポイントとなる場所の詳しい解説はもちろん、屋久島の情報からプライベートのお話まで、参加者を飽きさせません。
高橋さんのトークライブに私達の歩行ペースも上がったのか、時間に余裕ができて、帰りに特別な場所に寄り道してくださいました。

縄文杉との対面は感動的で、来て良かったと感じた時間でした。
ただそれ以外にも、
目的のものを見に行って帰ってくるだけが旅ではないことを教えてくれたツアーでした。

The one-way trek takes about 2 hours along a cart path, followed by a 3-hour climb up the mountain. It significantly tests your physical strength and endurance, but the sense of achievement upon completing the entire journey is exceptional. However, after descending that day, I was too exhausted to do anything.

During the trek, I experienced some trouble with my toenails, but soaking my feet in a stream helped cool them down and they recovered quite a bit. Considering the pace management, explanations at various points along the way, and the response to issues that arose (in another party, the guide carried the bags due to a foot injury), I believe the guide was truly commendable.

片道がトロッコ道の徒歩で2時間、そこから山を3時間程度上るもの。体力筋力を著しく使ってつらいけれど、全行程クリアした際の達成感は格別。なおその日は下山後は疲労で何もできず。
また行程中で足の爪にトラブル発生したところ、沢に足を入れて冷やして大分回復した。
ペース配分や途中での各所解説、トラブル発生時の対応(他のパーティーでは足の負傷により荷物をガイドさんが代わりに運んでいた)などを鑑みれば、ガイドさんはあらまほしきものと思う。

The guide provided detailed explanations from start to finish, which was great! Even when everyone started to get tired in the second half, the guide was considerate and revisited the points explained earlier. I think having a guide during the tracking was a good decision.

ガイドさんが最初から最後まで細かに説明して頂き、良かったです！
後半も参加した皆さんが疲れてきて際も、気配りして、行きで説明して頂いた箇所も、再度触れて、説明頂きました。　ガイドさん付きのトラッキングでよかったと思います

Only Yakushima Tour Operations can take you to the trailhead without using a bus, and it was great not having to wait for a bus on the way back.

屋久島ツアーオペレーションズのみが
バスを使わず登山口まで行けて帰りもバスを待つこともなく大変良かった

I participated with a friend in their 20s. We added a rental option, which we could pick up the day before the Jomon Sugi tour. We took the bus at 4 AM and started walking around 5 AM. There were six of us in the group, including the guide, and it seemed like most of us could walk well. The guide adjusted the pace according to our condition, taking breaks as needed, and the walking pace was just right. We were fortunate with the weather and arrived at Jomon Sugi just after 11 AM. After reaching Jomon Sugi, we turned back and had lunch along the way, returning to the trailhead by 4 PM. We arrived at our accommodation by bus just after 5 PM. After walking for 11 hours, I was grateful for the bus transfer. I slept really well that night.

About a week before our hike, we checked the weather forecast and decided on the date for climbing Jomon Sugi. Fortunately, the weather was good and walking was easy, but it could be tough in heavy rain. Since we could rent equipment the day before, we used it to hike Shiratani Unsuikyo without a guide the day before. For those who are not confident in their physical strength, it’s advisable to consider whether to hike Shiratani the day after climbing Jomon Sugi, depending on how fatigued you feel. I felt that the trail to Jomon Sugi was better maintained and easier to walk, but it was longer in distance. The round trip to Taiko Rock in Shiratani Unsuikyo is estimated to take about four hours. Taiko Rock offers a stunning view on clear days, so I recommend it. Since we hiked for several consecutive days, my legs were quite tired towards the end of the Jomon Sugi hike...

I had heard that even beginners could go to Jomon Sugi without a tour, but there are spots that you might miss if you don’t know about them. I felt it was a good decision to join a tour that provided various explanations. The staff at the local accommodation mentioned that the Jomon Sugi tour is popular, so it was great that we could make a good reservation. The guide was very attentive and friendly, and I enjoyed hearing many stories that could only be shared by local people from Yakushima along the way. Also, since the walking time is long, I think it’s important to research and prepare your gear in advance.

However, I will deduct one star because when I inquired by phone beforehand, I was told they would call me back, but I never received a call. I was also told they would contact me about my reservation three days prior, but I didn’t hear from them, so I had to call them instead.

I think it would be a waste not to see Jomon Sugi when visiting Yakushima. It was challenging, but it truly became a great experience. Thank you!

20代の友人と参加しました。オプションでレンタルを付けましたが、縄文杉ツアーの前日に受け取れます。朝4時にバスに乗り、歩き始めたのは5時頃でした。ガイドさん含め6人グループでしたがちゃんと歩ける人が多かったようで、ガイドさんは私たちの様子を見ながら適宜休憩を取りつつ進んでくださり、歩くペースはちょうど良く、天候にも恵まれ、11時過ぎには縄文杉に着きました。縄文杉までたどり着いたら引き返して途中で昼食を食べ、登山口まで戻ってきたのは16時でした。バスで宿についたのは17時過ぎです。11時間歩いて疲れていたためバスでの送迎付きはありがたかったです。その日は本当に良く寝れました。
私たちは登る一週間ほど前に天気予報を見て縄文杉に登る日程を決め、結局天候も良く歩き易かったのですが、ひどい雨だと辛いかもしれません。前日からレンタル品を借りれるため、私たちはそれを使い前日に白谷雲水峡にガイドなしで登りましたが、体力に自信のない方は縄文杉に登った次の日に、疲労の程度で白谷に登るか登らないか考えるのが良いそうです。白谷よりも縄文杉の方が道が整備されていて歩きやすいが距離が長いという印象を受けました。白谷雲水峡は太鼓岩まで往復4時間が目安だそうです。太鼓岩も天気がいい日は絶景なのでおすすめです。連日歩いたため縄文杉の最後の方は足が辛かったですが…
縄文杉は初心者でもツアー無しでいけると聞いていたのですが、知らないと素通りしてしまうスポットもあり、様々な解説を付けてくれるツアーを付けて良かったと感じました。現地の宿の方もここの縄文杉ツアーは人気だからいいとこで予約できて良かったねと言われましたし、ガイドさんも面倒見が良く気さくで、道中で屋久島の現地の人からしか聞けない話がたくさん聞けて楽しかったです。あとは、とにかく歩く時間が長いため装備は事前に調べてちゃんと準備していった方がいいと思います。
ただ、事前に電話で問い合わせたときに折り返し電話しますと言われましたが電話が来なかったこと、3日前に予約について一度連絡しますと言われましたが来なかったためこちらから電話をしたという点については☆-１をしておきます。
屋久島に訪れたら縄文杉を見ないともったいないと思います。大変でしたが本当にいい経験になりました、ありがとうございました。

The tour guide was very friendly. It was an enjoyable trekking experience with detailed stories about the Yakusugi. They even took us to various photo spots and helped us take pictures, making the climb really fun. Thank you!

ツアーガイドさんはとてもフレンドリーでした
屋久杉のことなど詳しい話をまじえながらで楽しいトレッキングでした。色んな写真スポットと撮影までしてくれてほんと楽しく登る事が出来ました
ありがとうございます

Last September, I participated with my family. I was worried about whether I could walk properly, but the guide would take breaks just when I was getting tired, so I managed to keep up. Other than during breaks, I hardly had the luxury to look around; I was just focused on my feet and walking! The trolley path is easy to walk on since there are wooden planks between the rails, but if you get distracted by the scenery, you might trip. (Especially on the way back, be careful as your legs will be tired.)

Since a typhoon had just passed, the weather was strange, alternating between sunny and rainy, but I was lucky to see the moss dripping with water, sparkling in the sunlight. The scenery was truly amazing, making my little worries disappear. The next day, I had intense muscle pain, so I think it would be better to plan the order of optional tours considering the muscle soreness.

昨年9月に家族で参加しました。
ちゃんと歩けるだろうかと不安がありましたが、ガイドさんの後ろを黙々と歩き疲れるころに休憩が入るので何とか付いていけました。
休憩の時以外は、周りを見る余裕はほとんどなく、足元を見てとにかく歩く！という感じでした。トロッコ道はレールの間に木が敷いてあるので歩きやすいですが、うっかり景色に見とれると転びます。（特に帰りは足が疲れているので要注意です。）
台風が通過したばかりだったので、晴れたり雨が降ったりの変な天気でしたが、苔に水がしたたり、それが太陽を浴びてキラキラと光っているのを見れたのでラッキーでした。本当に素晴らしい景色で、ちっぽけな悩みなんか吹き飛びます。
翌日は筋肉痛がものすごかったので、オプショナルツアーの順番は筋肉痛も加味して組んだ方がいいと思いました。

It was tough, and I knew it would be, but it was really challenging! I left the hotel at 4 AM and got home at 6 PM!

But I think I had experiences that were worth it. I took a lot of photos, but I truly felt that you can't convey it unless you see it in person.

The negative ions were amazing, the air was clean, and since it only rained a little, it was easy to walk around. It was a really great day! Because it was a tour, I was able to walk while listening to various stories, and although it was tough, I made it! Thank you very much!

しんどい、大変とは分かっていましたが本当に大変でした！
朝4時発のホテル帰宅が18時でした！

でもそれに見合う？だけの経験が出来たと思います。沢山写真を撮りましたが
実際に見ないと伝わらないな、と現地に行って本当に感じました。

マイナスイオンがすごい出てて空気が綺麗で、雨が少しだけだったので歩きやすく、とても良い日でした！！
ツアーだからいろんな話を聞きながら話しながら歩けて大変だったけれども行けました！
ありがとうございました＊

It was not a trip, but a struggle. If it had been sunny, the 22 km round trip hike in 10 hours might have been more enjoyable, but the long journey in the rain was cold. I strongly recommend avoiding rainy days if you have flexibility in your schedule. The long ascent on the stairs in the second half was tough, of course, but the boards on the wet trolley path were slippery, making it really difficult to walk. That day was truly a battle with myself; I participated with my daughter, and I believe I was able to show her, as a parent, the attitude of "never giving up and doing my best until the end."

There were seven tour participants (including one elderly woman whose shoe sole came off, leading to her unfortunate retirement → waiting). Including the guide and my daughter, all six others were in their 20s, and I was the only one in my 50s. The young people walked really fast, and I was struggling to keep up. I had heard that I needed to walk at the guide's pace, but it was fast, too fast. I wished they would walk a bit slower. I believe we could have finished the descent on time even if we walked more slowly.

To make matters worse, about a third of the way back on the trolley path, I slipped and fell, injuring myself. Even two weeks later, my tailbone still hurts. My toenail has also become a blood blister and is still black.

Additionally, standing in front of Jomon Sugi, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment, but the stay was too short. Including lunch, it was only 30 minutes... After climbing all that way, I wanted to stay a bit longer. I wanted to take more photos and videos. Initially, we arrived at Jomon Sugi 40 minutes earlier than the explanation we received at the airport upon arriving in Yakushima...

The young guide was kind, lending me a walking stick and serving everyone miso soup during lunch, but it turned out to be a very regretful tour. Also, for us as beginner hikers, the prior explanation about what clothes to wear was unclear. I wished they had specified "rainwear" for both top and bottom.

旅行じゃなくて、苦行だった。晴れなら往復22ｋm10時間の登山ももう少し楽しめたのだろうけど、雨にうたれての長い行程は寒かった。日程に余裕があるなら雨の日は避けることを強くお勧めする。後半の長い登り階段の登山道ももちろんきつかったけど、雨に濡れた軌道敷(トロッコ道)内の踏み板が滑りやすく、本当に歩きづらかった。この日はまさに己との戦い、今回我が娘と参加したが、親として「絶対に諦めない・最後まで頑張る」姿勢を見せられたと思う。
ツアー客は7人(内、一人の年配の女性は靴底が取れてしまい、無念のリタイヤ→待機)。ガイドや娘も含めてあと6人全員20代、50代は私ただ一人。若い人は歩くのが本当に速くて、私はついていくのに必死。「ガイドに合わせて歩かなくちゃいけない」と噂に聞いてはいたが、早い、早すぎる。もっとゆっくり歩いて欲しかった。もっとゆっくりでも充分下山終了時間に間に合ったと思われる。
最悪なことに帰りのトロッコ道を3分の1歩いたあたりで滑ってしりもち、怪我したし。2週間たった今だに尾てい骨が痛い。足の爪も血豆になって今も真っ黒。
あと、縄文杉を目の前にして、達成感はものすごく感じられたけど、滞在時間短すぎ。ランチを含め30分って。。せっかく登ってきたんだからもう少し居たかった。もっと写真やビデオを撮りたかった。当初、屋久島到着時空港で受けた説明より40分も早く縄文杉に到着したのに。。。
若いガイドさんは杖を貸してくれたり、ランチ時に全員にミソスープをふるまってくれたりして良い方だったが、非常に心残りのツアーになった。
あと、登山初心者の私たちにとって、着ていく服の事前説明がわかりにくかった。上下の「レインウェア」と記載してほしかった。

I was anxious because it was a long time, but the pace was just right, and I was able to go trekking the next day. The conversation was also very interesting.

長時間だったので不安でしたが、ぺースがちょうどよく、翌日もトレッキングできました。
お話もとてても面白かったです。

At the end of December 2019, I attempted to reach the Arakawa trailhead but had to give up due to heavy rain! On March 17, 2020, I made a second attempt. I kept a close eye on the weather forecast and changed my tour reservation several times before the day arrived, and I was able to go on a day with perfect weather. Our guide, Mr. Kawada, was incredibly thorough, providing many informative stories about the basics of mountain walking and the history of Yakusugi, and I truly felt it was worth hiring a guide. Thank you very much. We departed from the trailhead at 5:30 AM and returned at 3:40 PM. As someone over 60, I felt a sense of accomplishment after walking 22 km in the mountains. It was all thanks to our guide.

2019.12月末、大雨で荒川登山口まで行くが断念！2020.3.17 再挑戦でした。天気予報睨めっこでツアー申し込みも何度か変更を繰り返し当日を迎え、最高の天気のなか行って来ました。ガイドの川田さんの案内は実に丁寧で山歩きの基本や屋久杉の歴史など勉強になる話が多く、ガイドをお願いして本当に良かったと思います。有難うございました。登山口5:30出発ー15:40帰着　還暦過ぎ22kmの山歩きに達成感あり。ガイドさんのお蔭だな。

Mr. Takahashi, our guide, was very knowledgeable and experienced. Throughout the 10-hour round trip, he shared fascinating stories about Yakushima, making it a very enjoyable time. An exciting and thrilling experience awaits that goes beyond your imagination. This is a must-see adventure you may want to experience in your lifetime!

ガイドの高橋さんは、知識経験が豊富で、往復10時間の工程の中、終始、屋久島に関わるあらゆることについて興味深いお話をしてくださいましたので、とても楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。想像を超えたワクワクドキドキ体験が待っています。一生に一度は、体験すべきですよ！This is a must-see adventure you may want to experience in your life time!

I was a bit anxious about the all-day tour starting early in the morning, but thanks to our guide, Mr. Takahashi, I was able to enjoy trekking at a comfortable pace with my fellow tour members while listening to information about Yakushima and an iPhone workshop!
The miso soup and coffee during our breaks were also very delicious!

I think it's possible to go on your own, but having a guide is definitely safer, and you can learn a lot about Yakushima. Next time I go, I want to visit Mount Miyanoura, so I hope to book again then!

早朝から丸一日掛けてのツアーに不安がありましたが、アクティブ高橋さん(笑）のガイドのおかげで、屋久島の事やi-Phone講座に耳を傾けながら同じツアー仲間の方々と程よいペースでのトレッキングを楽しむ事ができました！
(´▽｀)
あ！休憩時の味噌汁とコーヒー等はとっても美味しかったです！

個人で行く事もできると思いましたが、やはりガイドさんがいた方が安全ですし、屋久島の事をたくさん学べると思います。
今度行く時は宮之浦岳に行きたいので、その時はまたお願いします( ^^)

I experienced trekking in Shiratani Unsuikyo during my first visit to Yakushima, and thanks to the guide accompanying us, we were able to hike at a comfortable pace. The guide also provided explanations about the highlights at each point, which made the trekking even more enjoyable.

初めての屋久島観光で白谷雲水峡トレッキングを体験しましたが、ガイド同行のおかげで余裕あるペースで登山できました。またガイドさんから各ポイントで見所について説明があり、よりトレッキングを楽しめました。

At first, I thought about going without a guide, but I believe it was the right decision to have one! The guide informed us about pacing, restroom breaks, and rest times in advance, which motivated us with "just a little more to go!" 😊 It was also great that, even when traveling in a group, the guide could take photos of all of us together. The bus was direct, so there was no hassle of transfers, allowing us to relax both going and coming back! I slipped on a rock and injured myself right after we started heading back from seeing Jomon Sugi, but the guide quickly rushed over to help, and even in moments when I felt my spirits dropping, they encouraged me multiple times, making the descent enjoyable!

始めはガイドさんをつけないで行こうかと思っていましたがガイドつけて正解だったと思ってます！
ペース配分、トイレや休憩のタイミングを事前に教えてくれるのであともうちょっと！と励みになりました(^^)
複数で行ってもガイドさんがいたら全員で写真も撮ってもらえるのも良かったです☆
バスも直行だったので乗り換える手間もなく行きも帰りも車内でゆっくり出来ました！
縄文杉を見て折り返しが始まってすぐに岩で足を滑らせて怪我をしてしまいましたが、ガイドさんがすぐに駆け寄ってきてくれたし、テーション下がってしまいそうな場面で何度も声をかけてくれて楽しく下山することが出来ました！

We came to Yakushima for a 3-night, 4-day trip with 7 members who had previously gone mountain climbing together. The group consists of members in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and the eldest is 79 years old. There was a strong desire among the members to visit Yakushima for the last time in their lives, which led to the planning of this tour. With both first-timers and those who had visited 2 or 3 times, we struggled to decide on a destination and ended up signing up for a one-day island tour of Yakushima.

We were surprised when the guide came to pick us up at the guesthouse. A foreign guide in Japan?? However, they provided attentive service and offered fascinating explanations about the mangrove trees that grow in seawater, the rare species, the beach where sea turtles lay their eggs, and we walked through the woods in light rain to see the thousand-year-old cedar at Shiratani Unsuikyo, where we had lunch. The Yakushima macaques, which are not afraid of humans, and the slightly smaller Yakushima deer were also introduced to us. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their first experience in Yakushima. Finally, we soaked in the ocean hot spring, creating wonderful memories.

私たちは以前に山登りをやっていたメンバー7名3泊4日で屋久島へ来ました。
79歳を筆頭に、70代・60代・50代のメンバーです。メンバーの中からどうしても人生最後に屋久島に行きたいと言う声が上がり企画したツアーでした。初めての方、2・3回目の方の参加で行く場所に悩み屋久島の1日島内観光ツアー
に申し込みました。最初民宿に迎えに来られたガイドさんに驚きました。日本で外人のガイドさん？？とでも細やかな対応で、興味深い説明、海水で育つマングローブの樹と珍しい種、ウミガメが産卵する浜、小雨の中、木々の中を歩いて千年杉まで行き昼食を食べた白谷雲水峡、人間を怖がらない屋久さる、少し小さい屋久鹿、説明を交えて案内して下さいました。みんなが初めての屋久島を堪能しました。最後に海中温泉に入り、とてもいい思い出が出来ました。

I was anxious because it was raining, but the guide taught us how to enjoy it in our own way, and I was very satisfied! Since we walk quite a bit, I feel that the level of satisfaction can really vary depending on the guide's abilities.

雨が降って不安でしたが、雨なりの楽しみ方もガイドさんに教えてもらい非常に満足でした！けっこう長く歩くのでガイドさんの力量次第で満足度もけっこう変わる気がします。