All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

I was anxious since it was my first time, but our guide, Kawahara, was very considerate and made the trekking enjoyable!

We spent about 11 hours on the mountain trails in the vast nature of Yakushima. I was able to chat with both the guide and the other participants, and the time flew by!

There were various spots to see before reaching Jomon Sugi, and the explanations were thorough, which made me very satisfied.

Of course, I was also moved the moment I encountered Jomon Sugi! I definitely want to come back again!

初めて尽くしで不安だったのですが、
ガイドの川原さんがいろいろと気を使ってくださり、楽しくトレッキングできました！

屋久島の広大な自然の中11時間ほどの山道、ガイドさんはもちろん、ツアー参加者ともいろいろ話せてあっという間に時間が過ぎました！

縄文杉に出会うまでもいろいろなスポットがあり、丁寧に説明してくださり非常に満足です。

もちろん縄文杉に出会った瞬間も感動しました！
また是非遊びに来たいと思います！

We signed up for the rental plan as a couple. Although we changed the meeting time, they accommodated us pleasantly. We were the oldest in our party of eight, but the guide adjusted the pace to match our stamina. Sorry to the group for being late.

I had hurt my knee and haven't been exercising regularly, so every time I stepped on the ties on the return trip, I felt intense pain. I apologize for underestimating the trekking.

I thought we could get a bit closer to Jomon Sugi, but I was a bit disappointed with the view from the corridor.

Since I was able to walk 22 km round trip, I gained confidence for future hikes.

レンタルプランを夫婦で申し込んだ。打ち合わせの時間を変更したが、気持ちよく対応していただいた。1パーティ8名で我々が最高齢だったが、我々の体力に合わせてガイドの方が速度を調整してくれた。グループの方々、遅れてごめんなさい。
ひざを痛めていたため、日ごろ運動をしていないため、帰りのトロッコ道の枕木を踏むたび、激痛が走った。トレッキングをなめていて、ごめんなさい。
縄文杉のそばにもう少し近づけるのかと思っていたが、回廊からの眺望で少し残念。
往復22ｋｍを歩けたので、今後のハイキングに自信がもてた。

The raincoat was almost useless; it was a tough climb that felt like a training session with the constant rain. The journey was long and had some steep sections. However, thanks to the guide and the group, I was able to walk all the way to the end. I was glad to rent good quality gear from brands like mont-bell and Columbia. The charter bus was also very convenient. Meeting the Jomon Sugi will be a lifelong memory. Thank you very much!

レインコートも役に立たない程、本当によく降り修行のような登山でつらかったです。とにかく長くて所々険しい道のり。でもガイドさんとグループの方々のおかげで最後まで歩けました。レンタル品もmont-bellやColumbiaなど良い物で借りて良かったです。貸切バスも楽チンでした。縄文杉に会えたことは一生の思い出です。本当にありがとうございました！

They took us to the trailhead by a dedicated bus, so we could walk leisurely without worrying about time! We were able to see Yakushima monkeys up close, and we learned about various plants as well. It was amazing! ^ ^

専用バスで登山口まで行ってくれたので、時間を気にせずのんびり休憩しつつ歩けました！
屋久猿も近くで見られて、植物も色々と教えてもらえて、最高でした^ ^

I visited many famous spots, such as the banyan trees and waterfalls. I was surprised to see many deer and monkeys along the roadside on the Western Forest Road. The abundance of nature was very healing. I would like to participate again when I visit Yakushima.

ガジュマルや滝など多くの名所を見て回りました。西部林道では、鹿や猿が道端にたくさんいて驚きました。自然が多くて癒されました。また屋久島に行った時には参加したいです。

It seems possible to climb without a guide, but having a guide helps with pacing and taking appropriate breaks, making it easier to complete long tracking sessions. It's also a nice bonus that they can point out the best photo spots. Additionally, since this tour uses a chartered bus, it's great that we can manage our pace without worrying about the last bus back.

ガイド無しでも登る事は可能なようですが
ガイドさんがいると、ペース配分や適度な休憩があり、長時間のトラッキングも何とかやり遂げる事が出来ました。
ベストフォトスポットを教えてくれるのも嬉しいポイント。
また、こちらのツアーは貸切バスの為、帰りの終バスを気にせずにペース配分してもらえるのがありがたいです。

We were blessed with pleasant sunny weather that wasn't too hot or too cold.

It was the perfect timing for the Jomon Sugi hike, with not too many people around!

We also had a serious guide, which made for a wonderful experience.

Thank you!

暑すぎず寒すぎる、心地よい晴天に恵まれました。
人も多すぎない、ベストタイミングでの縄文杉登山！

まじめなガイドさんにも恵まれて、素晴らしい時間を過ごせました。

ありがとうございます。

The plan included transportation to the trailhead, which was really helpful since the morning was early and my knees were in agony on the way back. I definitely recommend this plan for anyone going!

The local bus was packed, which was unfortunate.

The journey to Jomon Sugi is mostly along a trolley path, and our guide shared various interesting points along the way, making it enjoyable. The final stretch is a tough climb that continues to the third section, but it wasn't too difficult. However, the descent back was quite hard on my knees.

We walked for 11 hours straight, but the excitement of seeing Jomon Sugi and the sense of accomplishment upon returning felt amazing.

Next, I want to try the Shiratani Unsuikyo course as well.

登山口までの送迎付きプランだったのですが、行きは朝が早いし帰りは膝が大爆笑してたのですごく助かりました。これから行く人は絶対このプランがおすすめ！
路線バスは箱詰め状態で可愛そうでした。。
縄文杉までの道のりは2/3はトロッコ道で途中も見所などガイドさんがいろいろ話してくれて楽しく行けました。最後は地獄の登りが三丁目まで続きますが、そんなに大変じゃなかったです。ただ、帰りの下りは結構膝にきました
11時間歩きっぱなしですが、縄文杉を見た感動と帰って来た達成感、充実感がすごく気持ち良かったです。
次は白谷雲水峡コースも行ってみたいです。

Thanks to our knowledgeable and experienced guide, we had a fun round trip! The guide was so capable that I felt they could carry someone on their back and still manage the descent, which made the journey安心. Thank you very much.

We were also blessed with good weather, making it a valuable experience.

Although I was tired from my first trekking experience, it was so enjoyable that I want to visit Mount Miyanoura and Shiratani Unsuikyo as well. I definitely want to do this again!

Make sure to see Jomon Sugi with your own eyes! The image is from the journey.

知識経験豊富なガイドさんのお陰で楽しく往復できました！たぶん人ひとり背負っても下山できるんだろうなと感じるほどの余裕のあるガイドさんで、道中安心でした。ありがとうございました。
天候にも恵まれ、貴重な経験となりました。
初トレッキングで疲れはしましたが、宮之浦岳や白谷雲水峡にもいってみたいと思うほど楽しかったです。ぜひまたお願いしたいです！

縄文杉は皆さんの目でぜひ！画像は道中です

While I didn't know what to expect on the bus ride to the trailhead, I realized at the starting point that I would be climbing with a group of four. Since we were a smaller group compared to others, I could hear the guide's voice clearly. The guide led us with various legends, stories, trivia, and some silly jokes. His tales were very interesting, and the four of us were captivated by that world, making the long hiking trail enjoyable. I would love to travel with that guide again and would recommend him to my friends.

麓からバスで登山口に向かっているときは何もわからないままだったが、スタート地点で4人で一行を組んで上ることがわかった。他のグループに比べて少人数であったので、ガイドの声がよく聞こえた。ガイドは様々な伝説やストーリー、雑学、つまらない冗談を交えて先導してくれた。その話はとても面白く、4人もその世界に吸い込まれ、長い登山路も楽しく過ごすことができた。また、そのガイドと旅をしたいし、友人にお勧めしたいと思う。

I thought we could make it to Jomon Sugi on our own, but since it was a long journey, I'm glad we opted for a tour. However, the guide made a lot of negative comments like, "I’d rather be soaking in a hot spring than doing this," and there were inappropriate remarks like, "This group has the highest average age..." which felt out of place in a group mostly made up of women. I don't think there was any ill intent, but it was disappointing.

縄文杉までは自分たちだけで行けると思いつつ、長い道なのでツアーにしてよかったと思います。ただ、ガイドの方が「こんなことしているより温泉でも入りたい」などネガティブな発言が多かったり、「このグループは最高年齢だから...」と、女性がほとんどのグループの中で不適切に感じる発言が多く聞かれました。悪気はないと思いつつ、残念でした。

The weather on the day was wonderful, and I was very satisfied! I started with a feeling of anxiety in the dark before dawn, but the guide's humorous stories helped make the trekking while enjoying the scenery a pleasant experience. I was glad to have a guide who took great photos as well.

当日はお天気にも恵まれ、大満足❗夜明け前の暗いなか、不安な気持ち でスタートしましたが、ガイドさんのユーモアのあるお話も手伝って景色をみながらのトレッキングは心地よいものでした。
写真も上手にとってくださり、ガイドさん付きで良かったと思いました。

The day before going to Yakushima, I was anxious because the flight was canceled due to strong winds, but the weather improved, and on the day of the hike, we had clear skies, which happen only once or twice a month. The charter bus with no transfers to the trailhead was indeed convenient, allowing us to secure a place for breakfast and use the restroom without any issues, enabling a smooth start to our hike.

The hiking trail itself is well-maintained with trolley paths, wooden paths, and stairs, so I felt there was no worry of getting lost, making it a mountain that one could tackle alone. However, the trolley path is quite long, and there are hardly any signboards, so if I, a beginner with no exercise habits and a woman in my 50s, had gone alone, I think I would have gotten tired of walking and missed out on enjoying the beauty of the mountain. Especially if the weather had been bad... just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

While nodding and laughing at the guide's stories, we maintained a perfect pace, and honestly, I thought, "Did we already arrive?" It was such a fun experience meeting Jomon Sugi. The guide said, "You all were invited by Jomon Sugi on such a nice day," and I truly felt like I was "well taken care of," enjoying the mountain to the fullest.

If you want to see Jomon Sugi but are not familiar with the mountains, I absolutely recommend a guided tour! I think it provides peace of mind in case the weather is bad or if any troubles arise.

　屋久島に行く前日は飛行機が欠航になるほどの暴風で不安になっていましたが、天気も回復、登山当日は月に１，２回くらいという快晴になりました。
登山口まで乗り換えなしのチャーターバスはやはり便利で、朝食を食べる場所の確保やトイレ使用も問題なく、スムーズに登山開始できました。
　登山道自体はトロッコ道と木道、階段などで整備された道なので、迷う心配もなく一人でも行ける山だと思いました。でもトロッコ道がとにかく長く、案内板などがほとんどないので、初心者×運動習慣なし×５０代女の私が一人で行ったら、歩き飽きてしまって山の良さを感じることができずに帰ってきただろうなと思います。ましてやもし天気が悪かったら・・・考えただけでゾッとします。
　ガイドさんのお話にうなずいたり笑ったりしながら、ちょうどよいペースで、正直「もう着いちゃったの？」と思うくらい楽しく縄文杉に会ってくることができました。「こんないい日に来た皆さんは、縄文杉から招待されたんですね」と言われましたが、まさに「十分にもてなしてもらった」そんな気分になるくらい気持ちよく山を満喫することができました。
　縄文杉は見たいけど山に不慣れな一人旅にはガイドツアー絶対おススメです！天気が悪かったり、何かトラブルがあったりしたときも安心だと思います。

A veteran guide accompanied our group of five women, including myself, and although it rained from the start, we were treated to many insightful stories and jokes, making our walk enjoyable throughout. Thanks to the guide, we were able to keep going until the end without losing motivation, and I learned a lot. The greenery after the rain was vibrant and beautiful. Hokkaido has a lot of nature, but this place had a completely different charm. I think the scenery is worth the 22-kilometer round trip.

私を含めた女性5人のグループにベテランガイドさんがついてくださって、スタートしてからは雨のお天気でしたが、身になるお話をたくさんしてくださり、そしてジョークも織り交ぜで終始楽しく歩くことができました。ガイドさんがいてくださったおかげで、最後までくじけず歩くことができましたし、とても勉強になりました。雨が降った後の緑はとても生き生きとしていて素晴らしかったです。北海道にも自然はおおくありますが、全く違った良さがありました。往復22キロあるいてでも見るべき景色かと思います。

I participated alone.

I was prepared for the rain, but it continued to fall without stopping, and there were many times when I almost lost heart.

However, just before I thought I couldn't go on anymore, our guide seemed to know exactly when to share information about the forest and took breaks, which helped me regain my strength each time.

The miso soup that was provided during lunch while we were getting drenched in the rain was incredibly delicious! It revived me.

Meeting Jomon Sugi was an emotional experience, but more than anything, I felt a great sense of achievement for walking for 10 hours straight.

In the end, I couldn't properly thank our guide, Matsuda, but I truly appreciate it. The stories about the forest were enjoyable, and thanks to the careful pacing, I was able to complete the hike.

I will visit Yakushima again. I hope it will be sunny next time.

ひとりで参加させていただきました。

雨は覚悟のうえでしたが、ほぼ止むことなく降り続き、何回も心が折れかけました、、

しかし、ガイドさんがもう無理だ！ってなるちょっと前を見計らったかのように、森の説明をいれてくれたり、休憩をはさんでくださり、そのたびになんとか持ち直すことができました。

雨に打たれながらの昼食タイムに差し入れてくださったお味噌汁！最高に美味しかったです。あれで生き返りました。

縄文杉に会えた感動もひとしおでしたが、なにより10時間歩き続けられた達成感が得られました。

最後、ガイドの松田さんにきちんとお礼も伝えられませんでしたが、本当にありがとうございました。いろいろしてくださった森の話、楽しかったです。きっちりペース配分してくださったおかげで、歩ききることができました。

また屋久島に遊びきます。
次は晴れますように、、

There were members in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and because of the higher age range, the guides were betting on whether they could catch the 5 PM bus. One of the female members, who mentioned her legs were hurting, was told, "It's because you're overweight." While there were some who couldn't catch the 5 PM bus, they were trying hard to make it back together. However, they were not waited for and were told, "Why not just share a taxi?" I won't be using this service again because of such guides.

40,50,60代の方がいるﾒﾝﾊﾞｰで、年齢層が高いためｶﾞｲﾄﾞ同士が17時のﾊﾞｽに乗れるのか賭けをしていました。足が痛いと言う女性の方に『太っているからだ』とも言っていました。17時のﾊﾞｽに乗れない人達もいましたが、間に合うなら一緒に帰りたいと頑張っていたのに、もぉ割り勘でﾀｸｼｰで帰らしたらええやろ？と待ってあげませんでした。こんなｶﾞｲﾄﾞがいるので、もぉ利用しません。

Climbing Yakushima was truly a long journey. The mountain trail itself wasn't difficult, but because of the distance, I think it would be challenging to manage your pace without a guide. The onigiri I had along the way was exceptional!

屋久島登山、本当に長い道のりで山道自体は難しい道ではなかったのですが距離が長いのでガイドさんがいないとペース配分が難しいと思います。途中でたべたおにぎりは格別でした！

Yakushima, which I had always wanted to visit someday, was finally realized this year, considering my age and work situation as the perfect opportunity. It was mid-November, but the weather was warm, and luckily, we hardly encountered any rain.

The tramway path was as long as I expected, but walking while enjoying the scenery made it manageable. The steep mountain trails were not as daunting as I had anticipated, so even someone like me, who doesn't exercise much, was able to walk. The guidance and explanations from our guide were excellent, encouraging us along the way.

A significant advantage of this tour is that we could take a dedicated bus directly to the trailhead. Since we stayed in Awa, which is close to the trailhead, we were able to get some sleep right up until the last minute. A light is essential during this season.

ずっといつかは行きたいと思っていた屋久島。年齢的にも仕事の状況も今年がチャンスと思い、
決行しました。11月中旬でしたが、暖かく、ラッキーにも雨にもほとんど合わなかったです。
トロッコ道は予想通り長かったですが、景色を見ながら歩くとそれほど苦にならず、急な山道も
覚悟していたほど登りばかりではなかったので、日ごろそれほど運動していない私でも歩けました。ガイドさんの誘導、説明もとても良くて、私たちの背中を押してくれました。
このツアーは直接登山口まで専用のバスで行けることが大きなメリットです。登山口に近い安房に宿泊したので、比較的ぎりぎりまで睡眠取れました。この季節、ライトは必需品です。

I participated in the Jomon Sugi tour in late October. I was looking forward to it because I read online that it doesn't rain much in autumn, but unfortunately, it rained. I heard that there are only about 10 sunny days out of 365, so I came to terms with it (laughs).

Even though it was raining, the beauty unique to the rain made the trekking enjoyable, and I didn't feel any discomfort from the rain at all. The guide's talk was also very entertaining, and since there were few hikers, I was able to take a lot of photos, making it a very satisfying trekking experience.

Additionally, this tour doesn't require any bus transfers, which was very appreciated by my tired body, and I'm really glad I chose this tour.

10月下旬縄文杉ツアーに参加しました。秋はそこまで雨に降られないとネットで見たので、楽しみにしていましたが、あいにくの雨でした。365日中10日しか晴れてる日がないそうで、諦めがつきました(笑)
トレッキングは雨でも、雨ならではの美しさがあって、雨の不快感とか全く感じず楽しめました。ガイドさんのトークもとても楽しく、登山者も少なかったので写真も沢山取ってくれて、大大満足のトレッキングとなりました。
また、このツアーはバスの乗り換えもないので、疲れた身体にもとても有難く、このツアーにして本当に良かったなと思っています。

I was worried about muscle pain since I went to Jomon Sugi the day before, but I was fine. The moss was a beautiful, deep green, and I was truly moved by it. The scenery with light streaming in was wonderful and fantastical. This course ends after a short walk into the mossy forest in half a day, but if the itinerary allows, I would have liked to go further to enjoy even denser moss at a leisurely pace. Since my flight was in the afternoon, I felt that a full-day course would also be appealing for next time.

前日に縄文杉まで行ったので筋肉痛が心配でしたが大丈夫でした。緑色がとても濃い綺麗な苔で感動します。光が差し込んだ風景は素晴らしく幻想的です。このコースは半日で苔むす森に少し入ったところで終了ですが旅程が可能ならもっと先まで進んで更に濃い苔を眺めてゆっくりしたかったです。飛行機が午後だったため次回は１日コースも魅力的だなと感じました。

It was mostly trekking in the rain, but I was extremely satisfied! In mid-November, it was rainy, but the climate was warm. However, during breaks, it can get cold from the rain and sweat, and since the weather is unpredictable, I recommend being well-prepared! I think a folding umbrella, waterproof clothing, trekking shoes, gloves, and a light are essential. Since the distance is considerable, if you're feeling anxious, having a trekking pole can make it a bit easier.

Of course, Jomon Sugi was great, but I was surprised by Wilson Cedar! I think women will involuntarily exclaim!

The highlight was the guide! I was able to meet a wonderful guide and truly had a fun time! Thank you so much! I will definitely visit Yakushima again, so I hope to see you then! ✨

ほぼ雨の中でのトレッキングでしたが、大大大満足でした！
11月中旬で雨でしたが、気候は暖かかったです。ただ、休憩中は雨と汗で冷えるのと、天候がわからないので、装備はしっかり整えて行くことをおすすめします！折りたたみ傘、防水性の服、トレッキングシューズ、手袋、ライトは必用だと思います。距離があるので、不安な方は、ステッキがあると少しは楽だと思います。

縄文杉はもちろんよかったですが、ウィルソン杉は、びっくりしました！女性の方は思わず声をあげると思います！

一番はガイドさんです！とっても素敵なガイドさんにお逢いできて、本当に楽しい時間を過ごすことができました！おいちゃん、ありがとうございましたm(__)m
また是非屋久島へ遊びに行きますので、その時にはまたお願いします✨

Jomon Sugi is tough, and I was quite intimidated, but it's definitely a worthwhile experience, so if you're going to Yakushima, you should definitely go. The trolley path is indeed long, but the scenery is wonderful and breathtaking, and there is a lot of beautiful moss, so I personally didn't get bored. On the contrary, I was filled with negative ions and adrenaline, and it was fun. They say Yakushima has a lot of rain, but being blessed with good weather might have contributed to my enjoyment. I thought trekking in the rain might feel long. Also, being able to reach the trailhead without any transfers from the accommodation is a merit of this tour. There are some steep paths where you have to choose which rocks to step on, but the sense of achievement when you reach Jomon Sugi is quite significant! I think if you wear comfortable trekking shoes and get plenty of sleep, it will become a fun lifelong memory!

縄文杉は辛い、大変だとかなりびびってましたが絶対に価値のある体験なので屋久島に行くなら是非とも行くべきです。確かにﾄﾛｯｺ道は長いですが
景色が素晴らしく絶景ですし、綺麗な苔がたくさんあるので私は特に飽きませんでした。むしろ、ﾏｲﾅｽｲｵﾝとｱﾄﾞﾚﾅﾘﾝがでまくりで楽しかったです。屋久島は雨がとても多いといいますがお天気に恵まれてたのも楽しめた要因かもしれません。雨のなかのﾄﾚｯｷﾝｸﾞは長く感じてしまうかもと思いました。また宿から乗り換えなしで登山口まで行けるのもこのﾂｱｰのﾒﾘｯﾄです。途中、どの岩を選んですすめばいいのかみたいな険しい道もありますが縄文杉にたどり着いた達成感はかなりのものです！
はきなれたﾄﾚｯｷﾝｸﾞｼｭｰｽﾞとたっぷりの睡眠をとれば楽しい一生の思い出になると思います！

The 10-hour hike was truly a courageous endeavor, but I can wholeheartedly say it was worth it. It rained all day, and there was hardly any sunshine, but our guide explained various things about Yakushima and shared stories, which made the experience enjoyable until the end. The guide's brightness and gentle consideration, along with their enthusiasm, really helped us along the way. The nature of Yakushima is also wonderful, and the pleasant feeling of being surrounded by moss and water is something you can't experience anywhere else. I want to go again, and I would definitely like to request the same guide next time.

10時間はとっても勇気のいる登山でしたが、行ってよかったと心から思えます。
その日は一日中雨が降り、日差しもほとんどない中歩きましたが、ガイドさんが屋久島について色々なことを解説やお話ししてくださったので、最後まで楽しく過ごせました。
ガイドさんの明るさと優しい気遣い、そして勢いで引っ張っていただきました。屋久島の自然も素晴らしく、苔や水に囲まれる心地よい感覚は、他では味わえません。
また行きたいので、その時も是非お願いしたいです。

I felt that our guide, Mr. Manabe, was very kind. He introduced us to various aspects of Jomon Sugi. Thank you for the hospitality with the miso soup during lunch. I'm glad I came to Yakushima. Thank you, Mr. Manabe.

ガイドの真辺さんが優しくしてくれていいなと感じました。縄文杉についていろいろ紹介してくれました。昼飯の時、味噌汁のおもてなしをしてくださいましてありがとうございした。屋久島にきてよかった。真辺さん、ありがとうございました。

This time, my spouse and I participated in this tour. According to the guidebook, there was a comment that "seeing Jomon Sugi requires a long hike, which is tough," and both my wife and I felt anxious about whether we could reach Jomon Sugi, which made us hesitate to join at first. However, my wife said, "If we're going to Yakushima, we definitely want to see Jomon Sugi," and we decided to take on the challenge.

To conclude, while the distance is indeed long, the ascent was not as difficult as we had imagined, and Jomon Sugi is absolutely worth seeing. I highly recommend this challenge to anyone who is unsure.

On this tour, we were able to take a dedicated bus from the hotel to the trailhead, which was a great help as we didn't have to wait for the bus after descending. There were about 30 people in total on the bus, but we were divided into four teams, each led by a guide, and our team had seven members. In the first half, we walked along the trolley path, and in the second half, we climbed a steep mountain path that included quite challenging stairs. Along the way, we were moved by the famous three giant cedars, Wilson stump, and the Great Cedar, as well as many unnamed giant stumps and moss-covered rocks, taking photos and listening to the guide's explanations, which made the journey to Jomon Sugi feel less painful. I believe this was also thanks to the guide's pacing and the timing of our breaks.

When we finally faced Jomon Sugi, I was overwhelmed by its size and presence, and the closer I got, the more I felt moved to witness it in person. On the way back, while I had to be careful not to trip on the mountain path, the trolley path felt monotonous and long, making me wish I could descend that part quickly by trolley.

As a bonus, we encountered Yakushima deer and Yakushima monkeys along the way, and for a moment, we experienced a sudden downpour like a rain shower. It truly was a day where we could fully experience Yakushima.

今回夫婦でこのツアーに参加しました。ガイドブックによると「縄文杉を見るには長距離の山登りで大変」とのコメントがあり、家内も含め縄文杉まで辿り着くことが出来るのか不安を覚え、当初参加を躊躇していました。しかし「屋久島まで行くならやはり縄文杉を見たい」との家内の一言でチャレンジすることに。結論からいうと、距離は確かに長いものの、上りは思っていたほどでもなく、縄文杉は絶対に一見の価値あり、迷っている人には是非挑戦をお勧めします。
このツアーではホテルから専用バスで登山口まで行くことが出来たのですが、これは下山後にバスを待つ必要もなく、思った以上に助かりました。バス全体では30数名でしたが、それを４チームに分け、それぞれガイドさん１名が引率する形で我々のチームは７名でした。前半はトロッコ道をひたすら歩き、後半はかなりきつい階段も含めた山道を登るのですが、その途中で次々に出てくる有名な三大杉、ウイルソン株、大王杉等は勿論、名もない巨大な切り株や、苔むした岩々等を見て感動し、夢中で写真を撮ったり、ガイドさんの説明を聞いている間に、それ程苦痛も感じず縄文杉にまで到達。これはガイドさんのメンバーをみたペース配分や、休憩のタイミングのお陰もあるかと思います。対面した縄文杉はその大きさといい、存在感といい、近づけば近づくほど圧倒され、目の当たりに出来たことに感動を覚えました。帰り道ですが、山道部分は転ばぬよう注意して一生懸命降りていけばいいのですが、トロッコ道部分は単調な為、ひたすら長く感じ、この部分だけはトロッコで一気に下りてしまいたいと思ってしまいました。
尚、おまけですが、途中屋久鹿や屋久猿とも出くわしたり、一瞬ですが通り雨のようなスコールが降ってきたりと、本当、屋久島を丸ごと体感出来た一日でした。

I was picked up at the hotel around 5 AM and we started the hike around 6 AM! For the first two hours, we walked along the trolley path. Walking in the green forest while basking in the morning sun felt wonderful. We took two bathroom breaks along the way. They even prepared a sheet for us to sit on so our clothes wouldn't get dirty.

After about two hours, the trolley path ended, and we entered the mountain trail. From here, the path became steep. We arrived at Wilson's stump around 10 AM! It was a popular spot, so there were many people. We were shown an angle that looks like a beautiful heart and took some photos.

After walking for about an hour, it was time for lunch. Our guide made us warm miso soup! After that, we passed by the Great Cedar and the Couple Cedar and arrived at Jomon Cedar around noon. I was simply amazed by its majestic appearance! The guide took many commemorative photos for us, and then we began our descent. Having trekking poles might make the descent easier. Since we were able to descend a bit early, we went down to the river. After dipping our feet in the cold water to recover from fatigue, we walked back along the trolley path and arrived at the trailhead around 5 PM.

It was about a 12-hour schedule, but I was completely satisfied with the tour, feeling the negative ions of the forest and the power of Jomon Cedar! The guide was very knowledgeable and showed us great angles for taking beautiful photos, which was wonderful! Thank you very much!

朝５時頃にホテルでピックアップしてもらい、６時頃に登山開始！
始めの二時間ほどはトロッコ道をひたすら歩きます。周り一面緑の森の中、朝日を浴びながら歩くととても気持ちよかったです。途中２回ほどトイレ休憩をしました。地面に座っても服が汚れないように、シートまで用意してくれていました。
二時間ほどでトロッコ道が終わり、山道に入ります。ここから一気に道が険しくなります。
10時頃ウィルソン株に到着！人気のスポットなので人が多かったです。きれいなハートに見えるアングルを教えてもらい、写真撮影をしました。
そして、一時間ほど歩いて昼食の時間。ガイドさんが温かい味噌汁を作ってくれました！
その後、大王杉・夫婦杉を通って12時時頃に縄文杉到着。その雄大な姿にただただ感動しました！ガイドさんに記念写真をたくさん撮ってもらい、下山。下山には、ストックがあると楽かもしれません。少し早く下山できたので、川に降りました。冷たい川に足をつけて疲労回復した後、またトロッコ道を歩いて17時頃登山口に到着。
約12時間ほどの日程でしたが、森のマイナスイオンと縄文杉のパワーをもらい、大満足のツアーでした！ガイドさんも知識豊富で、写真がきれいに撮れるアングルなども教えてもらい、とてもよかったです！ありがとうございました！

In the morning, I was picked up at the hotel around 8 AM and after about an hour's drive, we arrived at the entrance of the Kumotsukyo Gorge. When I told the guide that I had gone on the Jomon Sugi tour the day before, they adjusted the walking pace to be a bit slower for me.

On the way to the moss-covered forest, there were many places with abundant moss. Since it had rained overnight, the moss in the forest was nicely damp. The course to the moss-covered forest was not as strenuous as I had expected, and even children around kindergarten age were able to climb it. Along the way, we encountered a little deer! After about two hours, we arrived at the moss-covered forest. As far as the eye could see, there was a green forest! It truly felt like the world of Princess Mononoke, and I was moved!

We had lunch a little further at Tsuji Pass. The guide made warm miso soup, which was a comforting break. The path from the moss-covered forest to Taiko Rock had steep inclines and rocky areas, making it quite challenging. However, the view from Taiko Rock was beyond my imagination, and I was really glad I walked the tough path! If you have the time, I definitely recommend going all the way to Taiko Rock!

朝は８時頃にホテルでピックアップしてもらい、車に一時間ほど揺られて雲水峡の入り口に到着。前日に縄文杉のツアーに行ったことをガイドさんに伝えると、歩くペースも少しゆっくりに合わせて下さいました。
苔むす森に行く道中にも、たくさん苔の生えている場所があります。夜中に雨が降ったので、森の苔もいい感じに湿っていました。苔むす森までのコースは思ったよりもしんどくなく、幼稚園ぐらいの年の子でも登っていました。途中で小鹿ちゃんに遭遇！そして、約二時間ほどで苔むす森に到着しました。見渡す限り緑の森！本当にもののけ姫の世界が広がっていて感動でした！
そこから少し先の辻峠で昼食。ガイドさんが暖かい味噌汁を作ってくださって、ほっと一息。
苔むす森から太鼓岩までの道は、急な上り坂や岩場があって結構きつかったです。
でも、太鼓岩からの景色は想像以上で、険しい道のりを歩いて本当によかったと思いました！
もし、時間に余裕があるのなら、ぜひ太鼓岩まで行かれることをオススメします！

This time, I participated with my girlfriend. It was almost my first experience with mountain climbing, so I was a bit anxious. At first, I thought the group of eight people was a bit large, but we were able to change the order of the line and had enough time to talk with the guide individually. The 11-hour duration didn't feel long at all; we were able to see various types of cedar trees along the way to Yakusugi and enjoyed walking. It rained a little during the hike, but when the rain stopped, the moss around us sparkled beautifully with water droplets, which was amazing. Since Yakushima is known for its frequent rain, I was worried about rain during the hike, but I was able to enjoy it nonetheless. The guide was very approachable, and I was able to take many photos and learn a lot about Yakushima beyond just the tour, which made me very satisfied. Since Yakushima is not a place I can visit often, I don't know when I will go again, but if I have the chance to visit Yakushima again, I hope to join this trekking tour and discover different charms of Yakushima.

今回、彼女と2人で参加させていただきました。登山自体ほとんど初めての経験で少し不安もありました。ツアーのグループは8人で少し多いかなと最初は思いましたが途中列の並び方を変えたりしっかりとガイドさんと話せる時間が1組1組あったかなと思います。11時間という長時間を感じさせないほど、屋久杉までの道中も色々な杉などを見ることができ、楽しみながら歩くことができました。途中少し雨が降ってきましたが、雨が上がるとそこら中にある苔が水滴で綺麗に光っていて凄く良かったです。屋久島は凄く雨が降りやすい地域とだけあって、登山中の雨を心配していたのですが、それさえも楽しむことができました。ガイドさんとの距離も近くたくさんの写真を撮っていただいたりツアー以外の屋久島のことまでたくさんのことを教えていただき大満足でした。屋久島自体なかなか行けるところではないので次いつ行けるか分からないですが、もしまた屋久島に行くことがあればこのトレッキングツアーに参加して、今回とはまた違う屋久島の魅力を見つけられたらいいなと思っています。

I went on a trip! Just the two of us, traveling with my 10-year-old son. Unfortunately, Dad couldn't join us this summer because he couldn't take time off, and my son dislikes walking with a mom who only talks. This is my son's exciting tour diary.

The tour started at 4:30 AM in front of the hotel. I was worried whether my son would wake up, but he woke up perfectly, perhaps because he was so excited. As the sky began to brighten, we arrived at the Arakawa trailhead with the sound of the bus stopping. I was feeling excited, while my son was full of anxiety. Here, we met our guide, who was from Yakushima and had a very reliable and kind smile. My son’s anxiety slowly started to ease with that smile... well, it didn’t completely go away.

After some warm-up exercises and taking photos, we set off! The first part was a long, long trolley train path. The green-filled trolley path seemed to stretch on forever. The scenery and bridges that appeared along the way provided nice breaks. I focused on thinking about fun things as we walked. After a long walk, we took a short break at the Kosugidani settlement, where we munched on some snacks we brought. The guide mentioned that he had come here on a school trip when he was a child! It’s not that long ago, but you can really feel the passage of time.

We resumed walking, and the guide discovered wild strawberry leaves along the way, saying, "Actually, monkeys eat them!" Just then, my son pointed and exclaimed, "Oh, over there!" He spotted red berries that no one else had noticed. The guide quickly rewarded him with a caramel for his discovery—what a great way to encourage him! This seemed to be the moment my son started to come alive.

As we continued, our eyes became attuned to the forest, and we began to make various discoveries. We became sensitive to the smells in the air. Ah, we are walking in nature! It felt like a soft green veil was gently wrapping around us. However, the distance we had to walk was just as long as I had imagined.

Just when I thought I couldn't go on anymore, we reached the entrance to the Okubo trail. The cold, delicious spring water there was amazing! We took a short break, used the restroom, and finally entered the Okubo trail! At this point, excitement outweighed fatigue!

However, we couldn't let our guard down from here. As someone in my late 40s who doesn’t usually exercise, I was starting to feel it in my legs. Plus, the mountain path was slippery, so I had to be careful! Sensing my struggle, my son... no, a deer came to check on me, saying, "It's okay. Take it slow. You got this." The roots of the trees deeply embedded in the forest gently held my feet to prevent me from falling.

Before long, we arrived at Wilson's stump. I was really tired by this point, so it was a perfect spot to rest. I left it to the guide and got a lovely heart mark. By the way, many people have made discoveries here, but for some reason, there are a lot of heart marks in Yakushima. There are hearts on fallen tree stumps and even near stones on the ground. It's just too cute!

With determination, we climbed over one more mountain from Wilson's stump! The steep incline was tough, and just when I felt like I might fall again, it was time for lunch. The miso soup given by the guide warmed my body. After resting enough, we resumed walking!! And finally, we encountered Jomon Sugi! Words can't express how overwhelming it was, but I felt a warmth filled with compassion that I had never experienced before. Jomon Sugi has been watching over us for thousands of years, silently protecting us. I was so happy to take a photo with my son here.

Oh, and I heard that next year the viewpoint will change, so this year’s scenery will be different from next year’s. We were able to take our time at Jomon Sugi and truly enjoy this wonderful encounter. My son seemed to be smiling too. Just seeing that expression made me feel satisfied. At the beginning of our walk, he was mumbling, but from the middle

行ってきました！10歳の息子との2人旅。今夏、パパはどうしても休めないということで残念ながら不参加、口だけママと歩くの嫌い～息子のどきどきツアー記です。
ツアー出発はホテル前を朝4時30分。息子が起きてくれるか不安な朝を迎えましたが気持ちが高ぶっているのかばっちり起きてくれました。
空が白み始め、バスの止まる音とともに荒川登山口に到着、高まる気持ちのママ、不安だらけの息子。ここで今日一日お世話になるガイドさんと顔合わせです。ガイドの方は屋久島出身の方でとても頼りになる笑顔の優しい方でした。その笑顔に息子も不安がちょっとずつ・・・うーん、なかなかほぐれません。
準備運動をして写真をとっていざ出陣！。最初は長い長いトロッコ列車道。
緑たっぷりのトロッコ道、歩みを進めても進めてもどこまでも続きます。途中途中で出現する風景や橋が、気持ち休めにいい味を出してくれます。ここは、もーひたすら楽しいことを考えて歩みを進めました。ひたすら歩いてたどり着いた小杉谷集落で小休止。そこで持参のお菓子をポリポリ。ガイドさんが子供の頃は、ここに修学旅行にいらしたのですって！それほど前ではないのに、時の流れを感じますね。
歩き再開、ガイドさんが途中で野イチゴの葉っぱを発見、「実は猿に食べられちゃうんですよ～」といったそばから、息子が「あっ、あそこに！」と指さした先に赤い実が。誰も見つけられなった発見にすかさずご褒美のキャラメルを差し出すガイドさん、乗せ上手！ここからかな～息子がイキイキし始めたのは。
さらに歩みを進めると、目が森になれ、色々な発見ができるようになります。空気のにおいにも敏感になってきます。ああ、大自然の中を歩いている！やわらかい緑のベールが私たちを優しく包んでくれる気持ちがします。しかし、歩く距離は想像通りに長い。
もーだめ～と思ったころに大株歩道入り口が。そこの湧水の冷たくておいしいことと言ったら！！しばし小休止、トイレを済ませ、いよいよ、大株歩道入り口に突入！ここまでくると、疲れよりワクワク感が！
ただし、ここから気を抜いてはいけません。40代後半で、ふだん何も運動していない私はそろそろ足に影響が出始めています。さらに山道は滑りやすいので要注意！そんな私を察してか、息子が・・・いやいやシカが様子を見に来てくれました「大丈夫だよ。ゆっくりで。しっかりね」と。森に深く張った木々の根っこたちも転ばないようにそっと足をホールドしてくれます。
ほどなくウィルソン株に到着。あー疲れたと思った辺りだったので本当にいいところに存在してくれています。ここはガイドさんにお任せして素敵なハートマークをゲット。そうそう、みなさんも沢山発見なさってますが、なぜかハートマークが多い屋久島です。切り株の倒れたとろこにも着地の足元付近にある石にもなぜかハート。かわいらしさがたまりません！
ウィルソン株から根性を出してもうひとやま越えます！急こう配、きつい、またまた倒れそうになってくるタイミングで昼食、ガイドさんにいただいたお味噌汁が体にしみわたります。体を十分に休めてから、歩き再開！！で、で、でついに、縄文杉のお出ましです！言葉にすると紙面からあふれてしまいますが、触れたことのない慈愛にあふれた暖かさを感じました。縄文杉は何千年も私たちを見つめ、あえて語らず守ってくれています。ここで息子と撮った写真、うれしかったなぁ。
そうそう、来年は見晴らし台の位置がかわってしまうとのこと、今年は今年の風景を来年はまた新しい風景で楽しめそうです。縄文杉の場ではゆっくりと時間もとれ、十分にこの熱い出会いを楽しませていただきました。息子もなんだか笑顔です。この表情だけで満足ってわかる。歩き始めの頃はごにょごにょいっていたのに本当に途中から文句ひとつ言わなくなったのもの。屋久島、縄文杉、ありがとうございます!
縄文杉としばし語らい、きちんとお礼の挨拶をして、いざ下山です。早く降りることが出来たならば、川で足を冷やす時間がとれる！との声掛けに、息子の歩く足の速いことといったらありません。下山中、彼はずっとガイドさんのそばでした。ふー。完全に体力負けです。
目的の沢につき、足場を探したら・・・うぉー水が冷たいー！生き返る―！パパ、無事で戻ってきましたよー。
不安だらけでスタートしたツアーでしたが、ガイドさんや一緒のパーティになった方の優しさ、励ましの声に触れ、疲れながらも最後まで歩くことができました。屋久島の優しさ、厳しさ、空気、香り、感触は行ってみないとわからないものだと心底感じました。息子の強さも知ることができ、本当に素敵な1日を過ごすことができました。
どきどきしながらこのツアーに参加させていただいたこと、本当に正解でした。ありがとうございました。

When you think of Yakushima, you think of Jomon Sugi! Encouraged by my enthusiastic husband, I signed up for this tour despite my anxiety about hiking. Although we are in our 20s, both my husband and I are not very active and have no prior experience with hiking or trekking. However, thanks to this tour, we were able to meet Jomon Sugi safely!

We departed around 5 AM. Since we stayed in the Anbo area, which is close to the trailhead, we were lucky to have a pickup that was about 30 minutes later than those staying in the Miyanoura area. The trailhead was further away than I expected, and because vehicle access is restricted, the tour took us directly to the trailhead without needing to switch to a shuttle bus, which I felt was a significant advantage.

Now, we set off from the Arakawa trailhead. My husband and I formed a group with six other people of similar age (the guides organized this for us), and we began walking. The first hour was on a somewhat uneven trolley path. It was a bit difficult to walk because you had to watch your step to avoid slipping. After that, we walked for about two hours on a relatively easier trolley path, which was the most enjoyable part. The trolley path is about 8 km long, and as we walked deeper into the forest, we could enjoy the changing scenery.

However, there were several bridges along the trolley path without railings, which might be a challenge for those with a fear of heights. I’m not particularly good with heights either, but I pushed through for the sake of seeing Jomon Sugi. After reaching the end of the trolley path, we walked about 2.5 km on a mountain trail to reach Jomon Sugi.

This section involved more ups and downs, and it took us about two hours to cover the 2.5 km mountain trail. Personally, I preferred the mountain trail over the trolley path. Being able to check my footing and progress step by step made the hiking experience more enjoyable. Of course, there were tough spots, but the stunning views along the way, including Wilson's stump and the Great King Cedar, helped ease the fatigue. Finally, when we encountered Jomon Sugi, it was even larger than I had imagined, and I was overwhelmed by its presence! We spent about 15 minutes resting and admiring Jomon Sugi before having lunch a little further down. Eating in the great outdoors was truly delicious. The warm herbal tea the guide provided helped cool us down after sweating, which was a nice touch. At this time, a Yakushima deer came quite close, and we were all charmed by its adorable appearance.

The descent went quickly, but we had to be careful to avoid falling. The guide said, "Climbing requires stamina, while descending requires concentration," and that was absolutely true. Although we started to feel tired on the way down, we kept walking without losing focus. Our group descended faster than the others, so we took a break by the Anbo River, dipping our feet in the stream. It was the guide's suggestion, and it felt great to cool our feet and rest. Having a guide meant we didn’t have to worry about our pace, and we could learn about Yakusugi and the history of Yakushima while walking, making it a very meaningful day.

屋久島と言ったら縄文杉でしょう！と意気込む主人に押される形で、登山が不安な私はこちらのツアーを申し込みました。20代ではありますが、夫婦揃って運動不足、普段から登山やトレッキングの経験がない素人です。しかしこちらのツアーに参加したことで、無事縄文杉に出会うことができました！

出発は朝5時頃。登山口から近い安房エリアに宿泊していた為、宮之浦エリアに宿泊されている方々よりも30分ほど迎えが遅かったようでラッキーでした。
登山口までは思ったよりも遠く、しかも車両の乗り入れが制限されていることもあり、ツアーはシャトルバスに乗り換えず直接登山口まで行けるので、まずここが大きなメリットだと感じました。
さあ、荒川登山口から出発です。私たち夫婦は他の6名の同世代の方々とグループになり(ガイドさん達が勝手に編成してくれました)、歩き始めました。
最初の1時間は、足場のあまり良くないトロッコ道が続きます。しっかり足元をみていないと、滑る危険があるので少し歩きにくかったです。その後約2時間は比較的歩きやすいトロッコ道を歩きます。ここが一番楽でした。トロッコ道は約8kmありますが、段々と奥に歩いていくに従って森が深くなり、景色の移り変わりを楽しむことが出来ました。
ただトロッコ道に何本もかかる橋の中で、柵がない橋がいくつかあり、高所恐怖症の方にはちょっとした試練かもしれません。私もあまり得意ではないので、怯えながらも縄文杉の為にがんばりました。
さて、トロッコ道の終点、大株歩道入口から山道が2.5kmほど歩くと、縄文杉です。
本格的にアップダウンが始まり、時間にして約2時間でこの2.5kmの山道を歩きました。
個人的には、トロッコ道よりも山道の方が好きでした。自分で足場を確認し、一歩一歩進むことで登山をしている実感が湧くので楽しかったです。もちろんきつい場所もあるのですが、ウィルソン株や大王杉といった、縄文杉までの道の途中で出会える景色がとても素晴らしかったので、疲れを癒しながら登山できました。ついに出会えた縄文杉は思ったよりも大きく、その存在感に圧倒されました！15分ほど休憩しつつ縄文杉を眺めて過ごし、少し下ったところでお昼をとりました。大自然の中でのご飯は本当においしかったです。ガイドさんがくれた温かいハーブティーも汗がひいて体が冷えるのを防いでくれて嬉しかったです。またこの時に屋久鹿がかなり近くまで寄ってきてくれて、可愛い姿に皆で癒されました。下りはどんどん進みますが、転倒などに気を使う必要があります。ガイドさんが「上りは体力、下りは集中力」と言っていましたがその通りです。下りは疲れも出てきますが、集中力を切らさず歩き続けました。
私たちのグループは他のグループよりも早く下ってきたので、安房川におりて沢に足をつけて休憩しました。ガイドさんの提案でしたが、足を冷やして休ませることができ良かったです。ガイドさんがいると歩くペースを考える必要がないですし、屋久杉のこと、屋久島の歴史なども聞きながら歩くことができるので、とても有意義な1日でした。