All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

Yakushima is said to have a lot of rain, but the weather was just right and we were blessed with great conditions for trekking. I was a bit worried about my stamina, but our guide was a 72-year-old veteran who has been there thousands of times. He managed the pace well and explained the mountains with humor, which made the 10-hour trek enjoyable. Thanks to that, I want to go back again.

雨が多いと言われている屋久島ですが、気候もちょうど良く好天に恵まれて、最高のトレッキング日和でした。
体力が少し心配だったけど、ガイドさんは72歳の何千回も来ていると言う大ベテランの方で、キチンとペース配分もしてくれるし、冗談を交えながら山の説明をしていただいたおかげで、10時間楽しくトレッキング出来ました。
おかげで、また行ってみたくなりました。

I was a bit anxious since it was my first experience, but the person in charge was friendly and made the shoot very enjoyable. I hadn't thought much about poses, but they suggested some, which made the shooting go smoothly. The starry sky was also amazing! Thank you for the wonderful memories!

初めての体験だったので不安がありましたが、担当の方がフレンドリーに話しかけて下さりとても楽しく撮影ができました。ポーズは特に考えていなかったのですが、担当の方が提案して下さりスムーズに撮影することができました。星空も最高でした！楽しい思い出をありがとうございました！

Despite the sudden application, I was able to experience it. The duration is about 30 minutes, so I can recommend it to those with limited time.

The meeting place is a bit hard to find, so it might be better to check it out during the day.

急な申込みにも関わらず、体験することができました。
所要時間も30分程度で終わるので時間が限られている人にもオススメできます。

集合場所はわかりづらいので、日中に下見したほうが良いかも

The weather was nice and sunny, which was great.
The bus ride to get there was quite long.
I didn't originally have the image of going hiking, so I was a bit unprepared, but there were steep ups and downs like sudden stairs, making it quite hard.
Our guide, Mr. Nakuma, provided various explanations, which was good.

天気が晴れていたので良かった。
行くまでのバスは結構長かった。
次に登山というイメージが元々なかったので、油断してましたが、急な階段のような坂のアップダウンもあり、結構ハードでした。
ガイドの中馬さんは色々と説明していだだけたので、良かったです。

Knowing that the next day would be clear, I made a last-minute reservation the night before the experience. Since it was a sudden decision, I didn't know any good spots to capture the beautiful starry sky, and I didn't have high-performance equipment, so I was really grateful for the help.

I arrived earlier than the meeting time and enjoyed the starry sky before capturing photos with the beautiful scenery. Every time I look at the photos, I can remember that view over and over again. I'm really glad I participated in the tour instead of just watching. Thank you very much!

For those taking a taxi, it seems that it's difficult to catch one at night, so I recommend arranging for your hotel to help you with that in advance, including for your return trip.

翌日が快晴と知って、体験前日の夜に急遽予約させて頂きました。
突然の思いつきだったので、星空を綺麗に撮影できる場所も知りませんでしたし、高性能な機材も持っていなかったので本当に助かりました。
集合時間より早めに到着し星空を満喫してから、美しい星空と一緒に写真に収めて頂けたので、写真を見る度に何度でもあの景色を思い出す事が出来ています。
ただ眺めるだけでなく、ツアーに参加させて頂いて本当に良かったです。ありがとうございました！

タクシーで参加される方は、夜間帯のタクシーは捕まりづらいようなので、余裕を持ってホテルにお願いしておき、帰りの分もその際に手配してもらうことをおすすめします。

On my first Jomon Sugi tour, I participated alone, but many others were also solo participants, so it was fun to chat while walking. I was worried about my stamina since it was a full day of walking, but most of the paths were easy to navigate, so I had no problems and enjoyed the hike. I could only see Jomon Sugi from a distance more than I expected, but there were many wonderful spots along the way, like Jomon Sugi and the Wilson stump, where I was able to take lots of great photos.

初めての縄文杉ツアーで、1人参加でしたが、他の方も1人参加の方が多かったので色々お話しながら歩けて楽しかったです。1日歩くので体力は大丈夫かと心配してましたが、ほとんどの道が歩きやすかったので全く問題なく楽しく登山できました。縄文杉は思ったより遠くからしか見れなかったけれど、途中の縄文杉やウィルソン株などたくさん素敵なスポットがあって良い写真も沢山取れました。

The guide was very knowledgeable, and I learned a lot. I usually go to the mountains, but this experience offered a different atmosphere that I really enjoyed. The people in my group were also great. They were considerate of the pace, which allowed for a safe and comfortable hike. Thank you very much.

ガイドさんの知識が豊富で、とても勉強になりました。普段も山には行きますが、それとはまた違った雰囲気が楽しめました。一緒の班になった方たちも良い方でした。ペース配分に配慮してくださり、安心した登山が出来ました。ありがとうございました。

Each time was well spent, and the quality of each individual experience was high. Overall, it's a plan that provides a great sense of satisfaction. It can be enjoyed by families as well as couples.

それぞれの時間もよく
一個ずつの質も高かった
トータルで満足感の高いプランです。
家族連れからカップルまで楽しめます

Thank you for beautifully capturing the Milky Way. You were kind and attentive. It was truly wonderful. Thank you very much.

天の川綺麗に撮影して頂きありがとうございました。
親切で丁寧でした。
本当によかったです。
ありがとうございました。

In a place so dark that I wouldn't normally go there at night unless on a tour, I got out of the car to find a sky full of stars, seeing a number of stars that I usually can't see. After moving a little, we talked about the stars while enjoying summer-like background music, and we were able to see the Milky Way without any clouds, creating the best memories. There was a surprising incident on the way back when we were attacked by a giant spider, but that too became an unforgettable memory.

ツアーでなければ夜に行くことはないような真っ暗な場所で車から降りるとすでに満天の星空で普段観る事の出来ない数の星を見ることができました。少し移動して夏らしいBGMの中星の話をしつつの撮影で雲もなく天の川まで見ることができて最高の思い出になりました。帰りの車で巨大な蜘蛛に襲われるハプニングはありましたがそれもまた忘れられない思い出です。

In the first half, the guide changed the order of people walking behind him, and while chatting with the guide, I was able to get to know the other group members. Even though I participated alone, I had a great time trekking!

For lunch, the guide gave us instant miso soup, which was comforting. It really hit the spot for my tired body! There was a tough decision made by the guide along the way, but everyone in the group agreed...

And then, we reached the moving Jomon Sugi!!! On the way back, we had the Wilson stump all to ourselves!

In the end, everyone returned to the trailhead with smiles.

Thank you so much to the guide and everyone in the group! It became a wonderful memory!

前半は、ガイドさんの後ろを歩く人を順番に変えてくれて、ガイドさんとお喋りしながら歩いたので、それとなくグループメンバーの皆さんのことも知ることができ、ひとりでの参加でしたが、楽しくトレッキングができました！

お昼はガイドさんからインスタントお味噌汁を頂いて、ほっこり。疲れた身体にしみました！
途中、ガイドさん苦渋の決断もありましたが、メンバー全員で納得…

そして、感動の縄文杉に！！！
帰りのウィルソン株は貸し切り状態！

そして、全員笑顔で登山口に戻りました。

ガイドさん、グループの皆さま、本当にありがとうございました！楽しい思い出になりました！

I was blessed with great weather and was able to experience the best of Yakushima. Among the participants, we were the oldest couple, and we debated whether to request a private guide, but since we usually jog, we managed to keep up without causing any trouble. There were seven of us in the group, and the guide was creative in ensuring communication by walking at the front and alternating who walked second. When a younger person took the second position, there were times when the pace picked up a bit, making it challenging to keep up, but overall, we enjoyed the walk. During lunchtime, I was delighted to receive instant miso soup from the guide. Since we worked hard, we had a bit of extra time, and during the return trip on the trolley path, when we started to feel a bit bored, the guide suggested we take a break and dip our feet in the river, which was refreshing. The Jomon Sugi tour at the end of September was warm enough that we didn't need any cold-weather gear; a T-shirt, tights, and shorts were sufficient.

お天気にも恵まれ最高の屋久島を体感できました。参加者の中では年長の夫婦で、専属ガイドさんをお願いするツアーにするか迷いましたが、普段からジョギングをしていたのがよかったのかなんとかご迷惑かけずについていかれました。7名のグループでしたが、ガイドさんは先頭を歩き2番目を歩く人を交代にして全員とコミニュケーションをとるよう工夫されていました。若い方が2番目につくと少々スピードアップしついていくのが大変なじかんもありましたが、概ね楽しく歩けました。お昼ご飯の時間にはインスタント味噌汁をガイドさんからいただき嬉しかったです。頑張った分少し時間に余裕もできて、帰りのトロッコ道少々飽きてきた時間に川で足を水につけると疲れがとれますよとガイドさんが休憩時間をとってくれたのですが、気持ちよかったです。晴れた9月末の縄文杉ツアーは暑いぐらいで防寒着は不要、Tシャツ、タイツ短パンで十分でした。

I was a bit anxious about getting back into the ocean after a long time, but with the thorough explanations and support, I was able to enter the water with peace of mind. I felt like a child again and had a wonderful time. I think observing and admiring the turtles for such a long time was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was hard to resist the urge to touch the turtles as they came so close. This was the perfect plan for a solo trip! The content and service were outstanding, and the website was easy to understand. When I quickly sent images to my family, my daughter immediately replied, asking how I took them. (This service is something that definitely can't be done on a solo trip, which makes it even more special.)

久しぶりに海に入るので少し不安がありましたが、丁寧な説明や付き添って頂き安心して海に入る事出来、童心に戻りウキウキした時間を過ごす事ができました。
あんなに亀を長い時間観察、観賞するのは人生で最初で最後な事だと思います。すごく近くまで亀がきて触りた〜い気持ちを抑えるのが大変でした
一人旅には最適なプランでした♪
内容やサービスは満点
ホームページもわかりやすかったです。
家族に早速画像を送ったら娘からすぐに、どうやって撮った？と返信が(このサービスも一人旅には絶対出来ない事にのうれしいです)

It was my first time taking photos, but I received guidance on positioning and poses, and we were able to capture romantic pictures. It became a wonderful memory for us as a couple.

初めての写真撮りでしたが、立ち位置やポーズの案内をしていただき、ロマンチックな写真を撮っていただきました。夫婦のいい思い出になりました。

I was very satisfied with the starry sky of Miyako Island. They were accommodating with pose requests, so if you have specific poses in mind, I think it would be better to research them in advance. I had a great time during the shoot.

宮古島の満天の星を残せて大満足です。
ポーズの要望も通るので
やりたいポーズがあれば調べておくとより良いと思います。
楽しく撮影できました。

It takes a little time to confirm the reservation, so if you're in a hurry, it's safer to book directly with Taiho Nomo Shipping. You also won't be able to use Beltora points.

予約確定まで少し時間がかかるので、急ぎの場合は直接フェリー太古　野母商船で予約した方が無難です　ベルトラポイントも使えませんでした。

It was quite a challenging journey, but thanks to our guide, we were able to achieve it safely! We took many photos along the way, creating wonderful memories. Thank you very much!

なかなか大変な道のりでしたが、ガイドさんのおかげで無事に達成することができました！
所々で写真をたくさん取ってくださり、良い思い出を残せました。
ありがとうございました！

I participated alone, but I was fortunate to have great members accompanying me, which made me feel very at ease while walking. It was tougher than I imagined, and I almost felt defeated on the way back, but I managed to walk 22 km by refreshing myself at the river and taking a little break from walking. It was a very good experience.

1人での参加でしたが、
同行して下さるメンバーに恵まれとても安心して歩く事が出来ました。
想像よりもキツく帰りはへこたれそうになりましたが、川で気分転換したりと歩く事から少し解放されながら、何とか22km歩く事が出来ました。
とても良い経験が出来ました。

I had concerns about my physical strength, but I was able to join a party that considered my age and successfully completed the hike. I was grateful that the guide paid attention to each individual. It turned out to be more of a climb than I had imagined, so I'm glad I brought trekking poles and work gloves. I'm truly happy that I was able to go.

体力に不安がありましたが、年齢を考慮したパーティーに入れてもらえて無事に完歩できました。ガイドさんが一人一人を気にかけてくれて、ありがたかったです。想像以上に登山だったので、トレッキングポールと軍手を持参しておいてよかったと思います。行けてよかったと本当に思っています。

Initially, we planned to challenge ourselves without a guide, but upon arriving at the location, we decided to sign up for a tour! The fact that transportation to the trailhead was included was a big plus! The guide who took care of our group was experienced and not only shared interesting stories but also showed concern for other groups, reflecting the kindness of the people of Yakushima. It was such a great encounter that I want to go back to Yakushima just to see the guide again. 😊

当初はガイド無しでチャレンジ予定でしたが、現地入りしてやはりツアーに申し込むことに！
登山口まで送迎が付いているところはポイント高いです！！私たちのグループを担当してくれたガイドさんはベテランで、お話もおもしろいだけでなく、ほかのグループのことも気にかけたりと屋久島の人の良さを感じました。＾＾
またガイドさんに会いに屋久島に行きたいくらいいい出会いでした。

Thank you for being so kind to my 6-year-old daughter; it became a wonderful memory. We would love to do it again next time. Thank you very much!

6歳の娘にも優しく接していただき、とても良い思い出になりました。また次来た時もやりたいですね。
本当にありがとうございました

It was truly amazing. Before the shoot, I was a bit anxious about whether I was on the right path to the meeting place, but if you follow the navigation, you will definitely arrive, so trust the GPS and go for it! (laughs)

The staff I met were very friendly and easy to talk to. They listened carefully to my requests during the shoot, and their approachable demeanor made it easy to communicate.

Before the shoot, there were quite a few clouds, and they asked if I wanted to wait or reschedule. Fortunately, we were able to capture the moment when the clouds cleared.

They provided clear instructions on poses and composition, and they showed me the images on the spot, which made me feel reassured to leave everything in their hands.

Thank you very much!

ほんと最高でした。
撮影前は待ち合わせ場所への道中があっているのか不安になるような周囲でしたが、ナビにしたがっていけばちゃんと辿り着きましたのでナビを信じて突き進んでください笑
無事合流したスタッフさんもとても気さくで話しやすく、撮影時の要望などもきちんと聞いてくれて、またその雰囲気から伝えやすいです。
撮影前、少し雲が多かったので待つか日を改めるかと聞いてくださり、その後雲がはれた瞬間を狙って無事撮ることができました。
ポーズやら構図やらもわかりやすく指示してくださいますし、撮った画像もその場でみせていただけるので安心してお任せできるお店でした。
ありがとうございました！

When I arrived at the parking lot and looked up at the sky, it was filled with stars! I could also see the Milky Way. While taking photos, they played music, which created a great atmosphere. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished photos. I would like to use this service again when I come to Miyako Island.

駐車場に着いて空を見上げたら、満天の星空！
天の川も見れました。
写真撮影中、音楽も流してくれて雰囲気も良かったです。
写真の出来上がりが楽しみです。
宮古島に来たらまた利用したいと思います。

It was a trekking experience that we couldn't have anywhere else, and we were very satisfied.
I won't forget the cold river and the massage!!
I am grateful for the guide, the couples in the same group, and the wonderful weather.
Thank you very much.

他にはできない体験もさせてもらえて私達はとても満足したトレッキングでした。
冷たい川とマッサージ　忘れません　!!
ガイドさんにも同じグループのご夫婦さん達にもお天気にも恵まれて感謝しかありません。
有難うございました。

The mangroves and snorkeling were both breathtaking. The emerald-colored sea, the colorful coral reefs, and the mysterious mangroves created a scene that felt like something out of a travel guidebook. Our guide, Matsuko, provided clear explanations, and even though it was my first time kayaking and snorkeling, I was able to enjoy it as a beginner. The guide was very kind, ensuring that we could safely enjoy the marine sports. I was also very happy that they took photos and sent the data to us. Thank you very much.

マングローブも、シュノーケリングも絶景でした。
エメラルド色の海ら色とりどりのサンゴ礁、神秘的なマングローブ、観光ガイド本でしか見たことのないような、光景がそこには広がっていました。
ガイドのまつこさんの説明はわかりやすく、カヌーもシュノーケルリングも初めてだったのですが、初心者でも楽しむことが出来ました。
ガイドさんが、親切して下さり、安心安全に、マリンスポーツを楽しむことができました。
写真撮影をして、データを送って頂けたことも、とても嬉しかったです。
ありがとうございました。

The tour itself was amazing! The guide was kind and proactively took photos at picturesque spots, making the group, which had many individual participants, feel more comfortable. However, the rental items took a long time to arrive, and I had to call several times to inquire about them. There were various changes on their end, and when I suggested a time, I received a rather unpleasant response.

ツアー自体は最高だった！
ガイドの方が優しく、率先してカメラ映えする所で写真撮影をしてくれたり、個人参加が多いグループの場を和ませてくれた。
しかし、レンタル品がなかなか届かず、電話で何回も問い合わせました。向こうの都合で色々変わり、こちらが時間を提案すると嫌な感じの対応をされた。

The staff (Kaz) was easy to talk to and explained everything politely, which was great! It became a very enjoyable memory! I'm glad we took a lot of photos. If I had to say something, I wish I could have taken a photo with a sea turtle, haha.

スタッフ(カズさん)が話しやすく、丁寧に説明してくれて良かった！
とても楽しい思い出になりました！
写真も沢山撮って貰いよかったです。
強いて言うなら、ウミガメと写真撮りたかった笑

I brought a dress and planned to take photos myself, but I happened to encounter a family that was taking pictures, and their photos were so beautiful that I made a last-minute reservation! The assistance during the reservation and the photo shoot was very kind. They also gave me pose instructions, and I’m looking forward to the finished product. Thank you very much.

ドレスを持参し、セルフで撮影の予定でしたがたまたま撮影をしている家族と遭遇し、その写真が綺麗すぎて急遽予約しました！予約時の対応も撮影の対応もとても親切でした。ポーズも指示して頂き、出来上がりが楽しみです。ありがとうございました。

I experienced snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) divided into morning and afternoon sessions.

I was a bit anxious about whether I would see sea turtles, but I was able to see them clearly. During the experience, the instructor took photos for us, and I received some precious pictures, including a two-shot with a sea turtle.

Both snorkeling and SUP were almost my first time, but the instructor taught us well, and I was able to enjoy the entire experience.

午前と午後に分かれてシュノーケリング、とSUPの2つを体験しました。


ウミガメが見れるか不安な気持ちもありましたがしっかり見ることができました。
体験中にはインストラクターの方が写真を撮ってくださり、ウミガメとの2ショットなど貴重な写真も頂けました。

シュノーケリングもSUPもほとんど初めてでしたが、インストラクターの方がしっかり教えてくださり終始楽しむことができました。

We went as a couple in our 20s. It takes about 50 minutes by ferry to get to Iriomote Island, so the round trip can be a bit tiring. However, once on Iriomote Island, we enjoyed a leisurely time on a sightseeing boat and bus tour, and after taking a water buffalo to Yubu Island, we were able to have lunch right away. Yubu Island had more attractions than we expected, and although we had to rush at the end, we really enjoyed it.

There was also a plan to go to Taketomi Island after Yubu Island, but since leaving Iriomote Island involves another 50-minute ferry ride, it seems like it would be tiring to fully enjoy Taketomi. I think it would be better to focus on enjoying two islands with this plan and visit Taketomi on a separate day.

20代夫婦で行きました。
西表島までフェリーで片道50分かかるのでその行き帰りが少し疲れます。その分、西表島では遊覧船とバス観光でのんびり過ごして、水牛で由布島に行けばすぐお昼ご飯が食べられます。由布島が思いのほか見所がとても多く、最後は駆け足になりましたが満喫できました。
由布島のあとに竹富島に行くプランもありましたが、西表島を去る時に50分フェリーに乗る消耗があるので、竹富で思いっきり楽しむには疲れそうです。3島まとめてよりも、このプランで2島を満喫し、別日に竹富に行ったほうが集中できると思います。