All Reviews for Japan Hidden Gems: Secret Islands

I booked a snorkeling and SUP plan. Since I had no experience with either, I was a bit worried about keeping up, but the instructors were bright and taught us patiently, taking care of our health and pace, which made it really enjoyable! They also took a lot of photos, so I thought it was a great plan. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't favorable, but it was still an experience that makes me want to come back to Miyako Island again and again. There are many other attractive plans as well, so when I come next time, I’d like to try a different plan!

シュノーケリングとSUPのプランを予約しました。
どちらも未経験だったのでついていけるか少し不安でしたが、インストラクターの方々が明るく丁寧に教えてくださり、体調やペースにも気を遣ってくださったおかげでとっても楽しめました！
写真もたくさん撮っていただけたので、とてもいいプランだなと思いました。
残念ながら天候には恵まれませんでしたが、それでもまた何回でも宮古島に来たいなと思える体験でした。他にも魅力的なプランがたくさんあるので、次来る時は別のプランも予約してみたいです！

My first trip to Ishigaki Island
Since I was here, I signed up for this island-hopping tour.
The mangroves of Iriomote Island were amazing, and the guide's explanations were clear, making for a wonderful experience.

初めての石垣島旅行
せっかくなのでとこちらの離島ツアーに申し込みました。
西表島のマングローブは素晴らしく、ガイドさんの説明もわかりやすくとてもいい時間が過ごせました。

I booked this tour to encounter sea turtles. On the morning of the tour, due to bad weather, the location was changed from Shinjo Beach to Shigira Beach, and I was worried about whether we would see any sea turtles. However, thanks to the enthusiasm of our wonderful guide, Matsuura, we discovered a green sea turtle! We were able to take many amazing photos with the sea turtle.

Additionally, we were guided to spots with clownfish, beautiful corals, and various fish, creating the best memories. I also want to thank you for kindly sharing recommendations for must-visit spots in Miyako Island, separate from the guided tour! I will definitely use your services again when I visit Miyako Island.

ウミガメに出会いたい為に今回こちらのツアーを予約しました。当日の朝、悪天候のため予定していた新城海岸からシギラビーチに変更になって海亀に出会えるか心配しましたが、そこは親切丁寧の素晴らしいガイドの松浦さんの熱意で1匹のアオウミガメを発見！何枚も素晴らしいウミガメとの写真を撮っていただきました
そのほかカクレクマノミや綺麗な珊瑚や魚たちのいる場所に案内していただき最高の思い出になりました。またガイドツアーとは別に宮古島のオススメスポットも親切に教えていただきありがとうございました！
また宮古島を訪れた際は利用させてもらいます。

The mangrove tour was great, and the guide provided a lot of explanations that made me go "Wow, I see!" It was nice to hear the driver's charming stories during the bus ride. The water buffalo house on Yubu Island was amazing. The streets of Taketomi Island had a lovely atmosphere.

What stood out to me the most during this tour was how everyone involved was skilled at explaining things, making the stories interesting, and showing a love for their hometown and a spirit of service. It was truly enjoyable.

I think it would be fun to visit just to meet the people involved in this tour, not just for the content of the tour itself.

マングローブ遊覧　ガイドさんが色々説明（へー、なるごど連発）してくれて良かったです。
移動中のバスも運転手さんの人柄が出たお話素敵でした。
由布島　水牛舎は最高でした。
竹富島　街並みが風情があって良かったです。

今回のツアーで一番思ったことはツアーに関わった全ての方が説明が上手で
話しが面白く郷土愛とサービス精神があって本当に楽しかったです。

ツアーの内容だけでなく、このツアーに関わる人たちに会いに行くだけでも楽しいと思います。

I signed up for a tour that included a SUP and snorkeling set, and it was fun even in the rain! Although the weather was disappointing, we were able to enjoy ourselves without any issues despite the rain.

On the morning of the tour, they accepted reservations over the phone, and the guidance was quick and easy to understand, which was great. During the experience, the guide provided thorough and clear instructions, so even though almost everyone was a beginner, we were able to get the hang of it quickly.

I definitely want to visit the Pumpkin Cave recommended by the guide next time!

SUPとシュノーケリングのセットのツアーに申し込みました、雨でも楽しかったです！天候は雨で残念だったのですが、雨でも問題なく楽しめました。
当日の朝でも電話で予約を受け付けてくださり、案内も早くて分かりやすくて良かったです。体験中もガイドさんに丁寧にわかりやすく指導いただいたので、ほぼ全員初心者でしたがすぐに乗れるようになりました。
ぜひ次回はガイドさんおすすめのパンプキン鍾乳洞にも行ってみたいです。

I participated last year as well, and it was so much fun that I really wanted to go again this year, so I invited my friends and joined. I was overwhelmed by the changing expressions of Ishigaki Island depending on the weather. Last year, there was less water, and it felt like we could play happily, but this time, after heavy rain, there was a lot of water, making it a thrilling tour. However, thanks to the guides' arrangements, there were very few dangerous situations. I think the experience of being able to jump into a waterfall pool is something you can't often experience in life, and kayaking while seeing mangroves up close was also a valuable experience. I will definitely participate again if I have the chance!

去年も参加してたんですが楽しすぎて今年もどうしても行きたくて友達も誘い参加しました。
天気によって変わる石垣島の表情に圧倒されました。
去年は水が少なく楽しく遊べると行った感じでしたが今回は大雨の後で水が多くスリリングなツアーでしたがガイドさんたちの計らいで危ないことはとっても少ないです。
滝壺に、飛び込めるなんて体験はなかなか人生では経験できないことだと思いますし、マングローブを身近に見ながらカヌーなども貴重な体験でした。
また機会があったら参加します！！

It was my first experience with stand-up paddleboarding, and I was able to have a great time thanks to the careful instruction. They also took wonderful photos, creating the best memories.

初めてのサップ体験でしたが、丁寧に教えてくださり楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。
素敵な写真も撮っていただき最高の思い出ができました。

I participated in a day trip from Ishigaki Island.
In the canoe, my viewpoint was close to the water's surface, so when I looked up, the sky felt very high and wide, and we were able to get very close to the mangroves. As we slowly moved along, feeling the sounds of birds, the water, and the wind, a scenery I had never seen before unfolded before me, creating an extraordinary world.
I had a truly wonderful time.
The guide's instructions on paddling were easy to understand, allowing me to participate with confidence.
Additionally, the various topics discussed during the tour were abundant and enjoyable, and I learned a lot.
Thank you very much.

石垣島から日帰りで参加しました。
カヌーは目線が水面に近いので、見上げれば空がとても高く、広く、マングローブのすぐ近くまでいけました。鳥の声、水の音、風も感じながらゆっくり進むカヌー、今までみたことのない景色が広がっていて非日常の世界でした。
とっても素晴らしい時間を過ごせました。
ガイドさんの漕ぎ方のレクチャーもわかりやすく安心して参加できました。
またツアー中の様々な話題も豊富で楽しく、勉強になりました。
ありがとうございました。

I participated in the Mangrove Canoe & Baras Snorkeling Tour! In the morning, we went canoeing in great weather, and it was the best experience—I was very satisfied! In the afternoon, during the snorkeling tour, it was raining, but the underwater scenery was beautiful, and I was able to encounter several sea turtles!! It was absolutely amazing! Our tour guide, Yume, provided us with various information about the islands, as well as explanations about the mangroves and the fish, which made for a very fulfilling day overall!! Thank you for the photos too!

マングローブカヌー&バラスシュノーケリングツアーに参加させて頂きました！
午前中はカヌーで天気も良く、最高の体験ができ満足でした！
午後のシュノーケリングツアーは雨が降っていましたが、海の中は綺麗でウミガメにも何匹か出会うことができました！！最高すぎました！
ツアーガイドをして頂いた、ゆめさんには色々な島の情報やマングローブや魚たちの説明などもして頂いたのでツアーを通して、とても満足な1日を過ごすことができました！！
写真もありがとうございました！

Honestly, I didn't have high expectations before going, but it was an absolutely wonderful experience! I'm glad I participated. The guide's stories and songs were very pleasant, and the time flew by. The water buffalo were also very smart and cute. This time, the weather was unstable, so I didn't rent a bicycle, but I still had fun with just the water buffalo. I highly recommend it!

正直、行くまではそんなに期待をしていなかったのですが…大変素晴らしい体験でした！参加して良かったです。ガイドの方のお話や歌がとっても心地良く、あっという間でした。水牛もとってもお利口さんで可愛かったです。今回はお天気が不安定だったので、レンタサイクルはしませんでしたが、水牛だけでも楽しかったです。おすすめします！

Due to lightning, the SUP experience was canceled, and we only participated in the sea turtle snorkeling. It was my first time snorkeling, but the instructor kindly taught me, and I was able to swim without any problems. From the moment I first put my face in the water, I was able to spot fish, which really excited me. I was lucky to see clownfish and sea turtles as well. Although the weather during this trip was not favorable and I felt a bit unsatisfied, this snorkeling experience made up for it all. I felt that satisfied.

雷によりSUP体験は中止となり、ウミガメシュノーケリングのみ体験しました。
シュノーケリングは初めてでしたが、インストラクターの方に優しく教えていただき、問題なく泳ぐことが出来ました。
海に初めて顔をつけた瞬間から魚を見つけられ、とてもテンションが上がりました。
カクレクマノミやウミガメも全部見ることが出来、運が良かったと思います。
今回の旅行は天気に恵まれず、不完全燃焼感があったのですが、このシュノーケリングで全て帳消しになりました。それくらいの満足感があります。

Since my 58-year-old mother was with me, we avoided intense activities and opted for this tour instead. The flow was smooth, and it was a meaningful time without any waste. Even during the bus ride, the driver shared stories about Iriomote Island, which was very enjoyable.

58の母がいたので、激しいアクティビティなどは避けこちらのツアーに申し込みしました。
流れもスムーズで無駄のない有意義な時間でした。移動のバスでも運転手の方が西表島の話をしてくれとても楽しかったです。

I had a fulfilling day overall! If I had to say something, I think it would have been nice to have a little more time for lunch to relax, but it was a great trip where I could enjoy a lot of nature!

！1日を通して充実した1日が過ごせました♪しいてゆうなら、お昼ご飯の時間がもう少しあるとのんびり出来て良かったかなと思いましたが、たくさん自然を満喫出来ていい旅でした！

I received a confirmation call the day before, and the very polite explanation made me feel at ease as I headed to Ishigaki Island for the first time. On the day of the tour, when I met the guide at the port, they greeted me with great energy, which left a good impression. It was also helpful that they confirmed the day's schedule during the gathering, making it easy to envision how the day would unfold. Thank you very much.

The tour itself was fantastic; the snorkeling was in a very clear sea, and I was able to swim comfortably. The guide matched our pace, which made it very enjoyable. During the river jumping tour, I jumped into the river with all my might, which reminded me of playing in the river as a child, and it was a lot of fun. Thank you for taking so many photos. This became my best memory of the trip. I will participate again when I come back.

前日に確認の電話が入り、とても丁寧な説明で始めてでも安心して石垣島から向かうことができました。
当日、港でガイドさんと合流した際は、とても元気に挨拶してくださり印象が良かったです。
1日の流れも集合時に確認してくれたので、どういう動きになるかイメージしやすかったのは良かったです。あいがとうございました。
ツアー自体は、シュノーケリングはとても透明度も高い海で気持ちよく泳げて、ガイドさんもペースを合わせてくださり、とても楽しめました。
川に飛び込むツアーでは、思いっきり川に飛び込み、こどものころの川遊びを思い出し、とても楽しかったです。
写真も沢山撮ってくださりありがとうございました。
この旅行で一番の思い出になりました。
また来たときは参加します。

The mangrove cruise felt just like a real jungle cruise. The boatman skillfully navigated the increasingly narrow waterways due to the tides, pointing out flying birds and small fruits as we spotted them, which was impressive.

During the bus ride, the locals we usually encounter while sightseeing in Okinawa only used a slight dialect, but the driver spoke a little in Okinawan (Uchināguchi), which was easy to understand. It sounded almost like a spell!

The bus ride was short, but the scenery was very nice. We crossed to Yubu Island on a water buffalo, and I was amazed at how calm and intelligent the buffalo were. The buffalo I took a photo with was named Rui-kun. I was drawn to his expression, and the photo we took together became a wonderful memory.

The village on Taketomi Island had such an atmosphere that when viewed from the observation deck, it felt like I had entered another world. It was truly beautiful.

マングローブクルーズはさながらリアルジャングルクルーズ、干満の差でどんどんと狭くなって行く航路を上手に切り抜けながら飛んでる鳥や小さな木の実まで、見つけたら次々に指差しながら案内してくださる船頭さんがすごかったです。
バス移動では普段、観光で触れ合う沖縄の人達はちょっとした訛程度の方言しか使われていないのが運転手さんが沖縄弁（うちなーぐち）で少しだけ喋ってくださってよくわかりました。呪文の様でした!
バスでの移動は短い距離でしたが、景色含め、とてもよかったです。
由布島には水牛に乗って渡りましたが、とても穏やかで賢い牛さん達で驚きました。一緒に写真を撮った牛さんの名前はルイくん。彼の表情に惹かれて一緒に撮ってもらった写真は凄くいい思い出になりました。
竹富島の集落は展望台から見てみると異世界に来てしまったのではないかと思うほどの雰囲気があり、とても素敵でした。

It was amazing to be slowly transported to Yufu Island on a water buffalo. The lunch was delicious too. The mangroves were beautiful. The bus guide on Iriomote Island shared many interesting stories. I want to go again.

水牛の上でゆっくり由布島まで運んでくれて、最高でした。また昼食も美味しくて。マングローブも素敵でした。西表島内のバスガイドさんが面白い話をたくさんしてくれました。また行きたいです。

I usually don't get photographed, so I was really nervous. The path to the shooting location was completely dark, and I wondered if I would make it, but I arrived safely without getting lost and had some really beautiful photos taken. I was surprised to see not just my shadow but also my face and the color of my clothes in the pictures! My favorite photo is the one where the sea is shining.

普段撮影される事なんてないので、ガチガチに緊張してしまいました。
撮影場所までの道のりは真っ暗で辿り着けるのかと思いましたが、無事迷わず行け、凄く綺麗な写真を撮って頂きました。
影で映るのかと思いきや、顔を服の色も写っていてビックリ‼️しました。
海が輝いて写っている写真がお気に入りです

I had a wonderful experience with Nao from PiPi, who was very friendly and provided transportation and guidance. Surprisingly, we are from the same hometown and even neighbors! We shared some local stories (laughs).

We started with snorkeling in the morning, followed by lunch, and then in the afternoon, we went to SAP. Since it was a weekday right after Golden Week, there were only a few participants, which made it a relaxing experience for me, and I was really happy about that (^^).

During snorkeling, I was able to see a sea turtle right away! Nao had been practicing free diving with a life jacket and had never been able to do it before, but during the tour, she managed to do it (≧∇≦). Both the sea turtle and Nao's diving were miraculous (≧∇≦). Thanks to Nao's thoughtfulness and her cute, friendly guidance, we had a cheerful tour and truly enjoyed the best activities in Miyako!*\(^o^)/*

I was also delighted that she sent us many individual photos. Thank you very much!♪

とっても気さくなPiPiの奈央さんの送迎&ガイドで
なんと、同じ出身地でご近所。
ローカルな話しも(笑)
午前シュノーケル→ランチ→午後SAP
GW明けの平日だったのもあり少人数で私的にはゆったり出来て嬉しかったです(^^)

シュノーケルで海亀にも即、会えた〜♡
奈央さんライフジャケット素潜りをず〜っと練習されてて1度も今まで出来たことなかったみたいで〜
それがツアー中、出来ちゃったんです（≧∇≦）
海亀も奈央さんの潜りもミラクルおきました（≧∇≦）
参加者への気遣いと気さくで可愛いガイド奈央さんのおかげで、和気藹々としたツアー本当に最幸な宮古のアクティビティを楽しめました*\(^o^)/*
写真も個別に沢山送って下さって嬉しい〜
ありがとうございました♪

It's an attractive course.
I was satisfied.
The beauty and tranquility of the mangrove forest.
The guide's enjoyable explanations were soothing to my heart.
Relaxing on the water buffalo cart on Yubu Island, the poignant performance of the sanshin remains in my heart.
Strolling around Yubu Island and the lunch were also delicious.
I recommend this course.

魅力的なコースです。
満足しました。
マングローブ林のみどりの美しさと静寂。
ガイドさんの楽しい説明。心が癒されました。水牛車でのんびり由布島は、三線な哀愁に満ちた演奏、心に残ります。
由布島での散策、そして昼食もおいしかった。
お勧めのコースです。

In the morning, I experienced stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) at Ingyamarine Garden, where I could feel the beautiful Miyako Blue. The waves were calm, making it a great spot for beginners to enjoy SUP! In the afternoon, we went snorkeling at Shigira Beach, and I also enjoyed a stylish lunch in the Shigira area. We visited a spot known for a high chance of seeing sea turtles, and indeed, we saw them! Thank you for taking such wonderful photos with the sea turtles!

午前中は宮古ブルーを感じられるインギャーマリンガーデンにてSUPを体験しましたが、波も穏やかで初めてでもSUPを楽しめるとてもいいスポットだと思います！午後のシュノーケリングはシギラビーチだったのでシギラエリアでオシャレランチも楽しめました♪高確率でウミガメさんに会えると言われるスポットに行きましたがちゃんと、ウミガメさんいらっしゃいました＾＾ウミガメさんとの写真も素敵に撮っていただきありがとうございました！

I visited Ishigaki Island for the first time and participated in a tour. The weather was great, which made it very enjoyable. The tour was organized efficiently to cover the main points of the islands, and everything went very smoothly. I was able to learn about the charm of the Yaeyama Islands, so I would like to visit again and participate in other tours.

石垣島に初めて訪れ、参加しました。好天に恵まれとてもよかったです。ツアーは三島の主なポイントを効率よく見学できるようになっていて、とてもスムーズでした。八重山諸島の魅力を知ることができたので、また訪れて他のツアーに参加したいと思います。

I was anxious about snorkeling for the first time in decades, but with Matsuura's support, I was able to enjoy it with peace of mind. The sights were beyond my imagination; I swam with sea turtles and got to see clownfish up close, which was an emotional experience. They took many photos, and I find myself feeling moved again when I look back at them! I want to go back and meet Matsuura and the sea turtles again.

シュノーケリングは数十年振りで不安でしたが、松浦さんのサポートで安心して楽しめました。想像以上の光景で、念願の海亀と一緒に泳いだり、ニモを至近距離で観ることもでき、感動の連続でした。写真も沢山撮って頂いたので、後から見返しまた感動しています！また、松浦さんと海亀に会いに行きたいです。

The water buffalo cart I had always dreamed of! The water buffalo slowly crossing the shallow sea was so adorable. It was a sunny day, and the breeze felt nice. The sanshin music we heard inside the cart was wonderful. The gelato on Yufu Island was also delicious. I ended up getting a second helping!

夢だった水牛車！ゆっくり浅瀬の海を渡る水牛がとても愛らしく。当日は晴れていて風も気持ち良かったです。牛車の中で聞く三線も素敵でした。由布島にあるジェラートも美味しかったです。おかわりしちゃいました！

I experienced stargazing photography for the first time, and the photographer was very friendly. They taught me a lot about Miyako Island, which was helpful for my travels.

I'm glad I could create wonderful memories with my family photos! Thank you very much!

初めて星空フォトを体験しましたが
カメラマンさんが気さくな方で
現地の宮古島の事もたくさん教えて
頂き旅の参考にもなりました(^^)

家族フォトで良い思い出を残せて良かったです！
ありがとうございました♪

They played stylish background music while efficiently taking photos! The starry sky was breathtaking, and we even saw shooting stars! After the shoot, they recommended sightseeing spots and delicious restaurants for the following days, and I appreciate the attentive service! I'm looking forward to receiving the photos!!

おしゃれなBGMを流しながら、手際よく撮影してくれました！圧巻の星空で、流星も見えました！撮影後は、翌日以降のおすすめ観光スポットや美味しいご飯屋さんを教えて頂き、手厚いサービスに感謝です！データを頂けるのを楽しみにしております！！

I was really relieved by the flexible response during the sudden change of the meeting place. I was able to see the beautiful ocean and adorable turtles, creating the best memories!!! I'm grateful to the photographer who took care of everything!! I definitely want to use this service again next time!!

急遽、集合場所変更で慌ただしくなった中、柔軟な対応をしてくださり、ホントに安心しました。
ステキな海と、可愛いカメ達にも会うことが出来て最高の思い出ができました！！！
色々とお世話をしてくださったカメラマンさんに感謝です！！次回も絶対に利用したいです！！

The staff was very accommodating, and especially the bus driver provided a thorough and friendly commentary on the history of Iriomote, its nature, and the current situation of depopulation, all while mixing in some jokes. The boat was large and comfortable.

スタッフの対応も良く、特にバスの運転手さんは西表の歴史、自然や今の過疎化の現状、冗談も交えて丁寧なうんてんとガイドでした。
船も大型で快適

If you're going to Ishigaki Island, I recommend this for those who want to efficiently explore the island. The guide and driver from Iriomote Island has a gentle tone and provides a very detailed explanation of Iriomote Island. The guide on the cruise also gave a great explanation about the mangroves.

Additionally, riding the water buffalo across the sea is not just about the ride; during the journey, they share stories about the water buffalo and Yubu Island, and even play the sanshin and sing, which is a lot of fun.

On Taketomi Island, I chose to go cycling. In 90 minutes, since I’m not good at reading maps, I was focused on visiting three famous spots, and it ended in no time.

せっかく石垣島へ行ったなら、効率よく島を巡りたい方にはお勧めです。
お迎え、西表島のガイド兼ドライバーさんの口調も穏やかで、とても細やかに西表島の説明をガイドをしてくれます。クルーズのガイドさんのマングローブの説明もよかったです。
また、海を渡る水牛もただ乗車するだけでなく、乗車の間に水牛や由布島の話し、三線を弾いて歌ってくれて大変楽しめます。
竹富島ではサイクリングを選択。90分では、地図を読むのが苦手だったため、有名なスポット3つを巡るのに必死で、あっという間に終わりました。

We made a reservation for a commemorative photo with four people: a couple and friends! On the day of the shoot, it looked like it might be cloudy at the scheduled time, so they suggested we take the photos earlier, and we did. I was surprised by how beautiful the starry sky in Miyako Island was, but when we checked the photos right there, I was even more amazed at how stunning they turned out! We didn't have any specific ideas about how we wanted the photos to look, but they offered various shooting patterns and concepts, making it the best photos and memories! It was an unforgettable experience! Thank you very much!!

夫婦と友達の4人で記念フォトで予約してました！
当日、予定してた時間が曇りそうなので、早めに撮った方がと提案して下さり、撮影してもらいました。
宮古島の星空が綺麗でびっくりしましたが、撮ってもらった写真をその場で確認して、綺麗すぎて更にびっくりしました！
どんな感じで撮りたいとか特に決めてなかったのですが、色々撮るパターンやイメージも提案してくれたりで最高の写真と思い出になりました！
一生忘れない思い出の体験です！
ありがとうございました！！

I think it would have been difficult to visit the three islands individually, but since it was a tour, we were able to use our time effectively. I felt it was good to have come all this way. If possible, I would have liked to explore Taketomi Island a bit more leisurely. I wanted to see all the stunning beaches.

3島めぐりは個人ではスムーズに行けなかったと思いますがその点、思い切ってのツアーでしたので時間が有効に使えここまで来たのだから良かったと感じました。出来ればもう少し、竹富島をゆっくりと周りたかったです。絶景ビーチを全部見たかったです。