All Reviews for Sightseeing / Guided Tours

I stayed at the Courtyard King Kamehameha Hotel. The show takes place at this hotel.

We were supposed to gather at 5:00 PM, but when we arrived, there was a long line in the hallway next to the lobby. I recommend arriving early for check-in, as being late in line can affect your meal time later. If you pay a special fee, you can get seats closer to the front and don’t have to wait as long.

When you line up, they will ask if you want a flower lei or a shell lei. The shell lei is free, while the flower lei comes at a cost. We exchanged shell leis with each other. After that, we exchanged our vouchers for tickets and headed to the venue.

Once we arrived at the venue, soothing Hawaiian music was playing continuously. We waited at our seats until everyone was at their tables. Drinks are self-serve near the entrance. Adults can have beer or mai tais, while children only get red cranberry juice. My 10-year-old child was not allowed to have that. At the same time, there was an introduction to about five traditional games, where you could decorate your face and feet with stamps. Participation in these activities was optional.

Afterward, there was a hula dance lesson, and explanations about traditional dishes, such as meat wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, along with about 30 minutes of free time. Hawaiian music continued to play during this time. About an hour after entering, King Kamehameha finally arrived from the sea.

After that, it was finally time for dinner, but we had to go up to the buffet in order from the front tables. However, we couldn’t go up freely. They called each table, so we had to wait at least 30 minutes after the first table was called. My 10-year-old fell asleep without eating, despite being hungry, as it took a long time for our table to be called.

Desserts, coffee, and tea were available. Just when I thought we could return to our room after finishing our meal, the show finally began. The show featured Hawaiian dances and a fire show, which were quite good, but it took a considerable amount of time to get to the meal and to watch the show. You really need to have a relaxed mindset and plenty of time, or else you might end up feeling exhausted.

The Hawaiian music was very pleasant, and my two sons and husband dozed off, swaying their heads during the crucial part of the show. It ended at 8:30 PM. I think it’s a show more suited for adults. My 10-year-old ultimately didn’t wake up and managed to eat a packed meal of chicken nuggets, fries, white rice, and meat after we returned to the room. It’s a show aimed at older audiences rather than children.

コートヤードキングカメハメハホテルに宿泊してました。ショーはこのホテルで行われます。
１７:００集合でしたが、行くとロビー横の廊下に長蛇の列ができてました。
後のことも考えると受付には早くいくことをお勧めします。並ぶのが遅いと、後々食事時間に影響します。
特別料金を払うと前の方の席になり、あまり並ぶ必要もありません。
並ぶと順番に対応してくれますが、花のレイか貝殻のレイか聞かれます。貝殻は無料で花のレイ有料です。お互いに貝殻のレイをかけあいました。
その後バウチャーをチケットにかえ、入場する会場に向かいます。
会場につくとず～っとゆったりとしたハワイアンミュージックが演奏されています。全員がテーブルにつくまで、席に座って待ちます。飲み物は入口の近くに自分でとりにいきます。大人はビールやマイタイが提供され、子どもは赤いクランベリージュースのみです。１０歳の子供はそれがダメでした。それと同時に５種類くらいの昔の遊びや顔や足にスタンプのような飾りをつけたりと伝統的な昔の遊びの紹介があります。それに参加するかどうかは自由です。その後フラダンスのレッスンがあつたり、伝統的な料理、バナナの皮に肉を包んで蒸すなどの説明があったり、３０分くらいの自由な時間があります。その間もハワイアンミュージックがずっとかかってます。入場して一時間くらい経つとようやく海からカメハメハ大王が陸に上陸してきます。
それが終わるとようやく食事ですが、前方の席から順番によぱれ食事(ビュッフェ)を取りにいきます。でも自由には取りにいけないのです。テーブルごとによばれるので、とにかく最初のテーブルの人たちが呼ばれてからもさいてい３０分は待ちました。１０歳の子供は、ゆったりとしたミュージックと昼のシュノーケリングでとうとうご飯を食べずに寝てしまいました。お腹がへっているのに、なかなか順番は来ず、自分のテーブルの順番を待ってやっとご飯を食べました。
デザートコーヒー紅茶はあります。
御飯が食べ終わってもう部屋に帰ってもいいんじゃないのと思う頃にようやくショーが始まりました。ショーはハワイアンダンスにファイヤーショーがあったりなかなかよかったですが、とにかく食事にありつくのにも、ショーを見るのにも時間がかなりかかり、心と時間にかなりゆとりをもたないと、逆に疲れてしまいました。
ハワイアンミュージックはとても心地よく、息子二人と旦那もウトウト肝心のショーの時には、
頭が揺れてました。終わりは20:30。大人が参加するショーかなと思います。
１０歳の子供は結局起きず、何とかチキンナゲットとポテト、白ご飯とお肉だけをいただいたパックに詰め込んで、部屋に戻ってから食べました。
子どもより年配の方々向けのショーです。

I'm glad I was able to safely visit Mauna Kea, which is higher than Mount Fuji, without getting altitude sickness. I was happy to see the sunset and the sea of clouds during the breaks along the way. The staff mentioned that due to the moon, the stars wouldn't be very visible, but I was pleased to see them better than in Japan. Since it gets cold, warm soup might be better than coffee.

富士山より高いマウナケアに安心安全に行けて高山病にならず良かったです。途中休憩があり夕日も雲海も見れて幸せでした。
スタッフの方から月の関係で星があまり見えないと言われましたが日本より良く見えて良かったです。
体が冷えるのでコーヒーより暖かいスープだともっと良いかもしれませんねー。

The deep blue sky before sunset, the colors of the earth at the summit, the sea of clouds dyed by the setting sun, the Milky Way and the starry sky, and the large moon clearly visible. Everything was a sight I had never seen before.

I was worried about altitude sickness, but thanks to the guide's advice, I was able to head up with peace of mind. I felt a bit unsteady at the summit, but sitting on the stone steps and taking deep breaths quickly made me feel better. The view and weather from the visitor center were completely different from those at the summit, so I’m really glad I chose the tour that went all the way up.

I truly appreciated the benefit of downloading photos when I got back. Many of the photos I took myself didn’t turn out great... I’m happy to receive photos that captured the scenery of that day perfectly. They also took many fun composition shots.

Thank you so much to our guide, Macchan, for making us laugh! It was great to hear stories about the Big Island along the way. I was impressed by your wide knowledge and thoughtfulness.

The two-shot photo with the starry sky taken by Kon-chan became the best memory of this trip. I plan to print it out and display it.

Thank you both for a wonderful time!

If I get the chance to go to the Big Island again, I will definitely use Masashi's tour!

日が暮れる前の濃い青の空、頂上の大地の色、夕陽に染まる一面の雲海、天の川と満天の星空、くっきりと見える大きな月。すべてが初めての光景でした。

高山病が不安でしたが、ガイドさんのアドバイスで安心して向かうことができました。
頂上ではふらつきなどがありましたが、石段に座って深呼吸をしているとすぐに良くなりました。
ビジターセンターからの景色と天気は頂上と全然違ったので上まで行くツアーにして本当によかったです。

写真ダウンロードの特典のありがたみは帰ってから痛感しました。
自分で撮った写真は後で見るとイマイチなのも多くて･･･。
あの日の景色をそのまま切り取ったような写真がもらえて嬉しいです。
楽しい構図の写真もたくさん撮ってくれました。

ガイドのまっちゃん、たくさん笑わせてくれてありがとうございました！道中でハワイ島の話も聞けて良かったです。幅広い知識と心配りに感動しました☆*。

こんちゃんに撮っていただいた星空バックのツーショット写真はこの旅一番の記念になりました♪プリントアウトして飾りたいと思います。

お二人共素敵な時間を本当にありがとうございました☆彡.。

またハワイ島に行くことができたら必ずマサシさんのツアーを利用します！

Things I wanted to see on the Big Island: Nature Point on the east side, Kilauea Volcano, and sunset & stargazing from Mauna Kea. I considered doing a combined tour of Kilauea and Mauna Kea, but due to travel time and some places being inaccessible, I decided to join separate tours.

In the end, it was a great success and I was very satisfied. We left in the afternoon, took our time acclimating by having a meal at the mid-level, and then headed to the summit. I only brought a lightweight down jacket and an outdoor jacket. They lent me ski wear, a hat, and gloves, so I was able to enjoy the sunset at the summit without shivering from the cold and had a wonderful view of the starry sky! There were so many stars that I didn't even know where to look.

That day was Tanabata. In Japan, it often rains or is cloudy on this day, but we had a clear view of the Milky Way. I was given instructions on how to take photos that looked like composites, and the results turned out great! The tour staff helped set up my camera for beautiful shots, and I ended up with lovely photos. Of course, you can also take wonderful pictures with your smartphone.

In addition to bottled water, they provided warm miso soup and drinks during the meal, which was nice. I was really lucky with the weather. I’m grateful that my number one thing I wanted to do on the Big Island turned out to be such a wonderful day, along with the attentive service and the entertaining guide! I'm glad I made the reservation in advance, as the tour was fully booked.

ハワイ島で見たかったもの。
東側のネイチャーポイント、キラウエア火山、マウナケアからのサンセット&星空観測。
欲張りにセットでキラウエア＆マウナケアとなんていうのも考えましたが、所用時間や行けない場所も出てくることから分けてツアー参加しました。
結果、大成功、大満足。
午後ゆっくり出発して中腹で食事をとったりして時間をかけて体を慣らし、山頂へ。
持参したのは薄手のダウンやアウトドアジャケットだけ。
スキーウエア上下、帽子、手袋を貸してもらえたので山頂でも寒さに震えることなくゆっくりサンセットを楽しみ、素敵な満天の星を眺めることができました！
星がいっぱい過ぎてどこ見ていいかわからないぐらい。
この日は七夕。日本だと雨や曇りの多いこの日ですがくっきりミルキーウエイ。
合成写真かと思うほどの
写真もこんな風にしてみてとご指示？をいただきどんな写真になるのかと思ったらこんな感じです！ツアースタッフがきれいに撮れる設定をちょちょいとしてくれたりしてマイカメラにも素敵な写真が残りました。もちろんスマホでも十分素敵な写真撮れます。
ペットボトルのお水の他、食事の際には温かいお味噌汁やドリンクが用意されていたのも良かったです。
天候に恵まれたのは本当にラッキーでした。ハワイ島でやりたかったことのナンバー１がこんなに素敵な日であったことと、行き届いたサービス、面白ガイドさんに感謝です！
申し込みは前もってしていって良かったです。満席でした。

The entertainment was amazing, and the food was great!

I participated with my husband after being recommended by a community on Facebook that loves the Big Island of Hawaii. Our guide was "Matsucchan," who looked great in a knit hat. On the day of the tour, I was a bit worried because it started to drizzle under a cloudy sky, but the guide's expertise was evident!

Working in tandem with another guide, Konno, we persevered and moved locations as needed to find the best spots, allowing us to enjoy both the sunset and the starry sky. It was said that the following day would feature a meteor shower (I forgot the name of it), so visibility was a bit challenging, but we had a clear view of the moon through a reflecting telescope (which can be tracked via GPS), and with the careful explanations using a laser pointer, we learned about the constellations and their history.

What impressed me the most was their ability to not miss any photo opportunities! They managed all the positions, so I felt completely at ease.

Additionally, there’s a follow-up story: during the tour, my husband lost his favorite sunglasses and was feeling down the next day. However, when we inquired about it on a whim, they found them on the bus and delivered them during that day's tour. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again. Thank you, Matsucchan, for the wonderful memories and the follow-up! (≧▽≦)

FaceBookのハワイ島好きコミュニティで勧められたこともあり、夫と二人で参加しました。
ガイドはニット帽がよく似合う"松っちゃん"。
当日は途中から霧雨の曇り空で大丈夫かなーと思ってたんですが、週5回上っている眼力は確かです！

もう1グループのガイドで相方のkonnoさんと連携して、粘りながら時には場所を移動しながら、ポイントを探し出して、サンセットも星空もしっかり観ることができました。
星空はナントカ流星群（聞いたのに忘れました;）が飛び交った翌日らしいので、ちょっと見えづらい感じでしたが、月は反射望遠鏡（GPSで追えるらしいです）でバッチリ見えたし、レーザーポインターを使っての丁寧な説明で、見えた星から星座の配置図とか歴史とかも知ることができました。

もっとも感心したのはシャッターチャンスとポイントを外さないこと！
立ち位置も全部仕切ってくれるので、任せておけば安心でした。

あと後日談がありまして、ツアー中に夫がお気に入りのサングラスを失くしてしまい、翌日半日ションボリしていたのですが、ダメモトで問い合わせたら、バスの中で見つけてその日のツアーの流れで届けてくれました。
この場を借りて、もう一度お礼が言いたいです。
松っちゃん、楽しい思い出とアフターフォローをありがとうございました(≧▽≦)

The hurricane passed, and with clear skies and no moon, the starry night was truly beautiful. It was probably the most amazing sight I've ever seen, and I was moved. It was quite windy and cold, but they prepared warm tea for us, and the "freshly baked" cookies were delicious.

ハリケーンが通り過ぎて快晴で、月もなかったので、本当にきれいな星空でした。たぶん今まで見た中で一番すごくて、感動でした。
結構風が強くて寒かったですが、温かい紅茶を用意していただいたり、"焼きたての"クッキーも美味しかったです。

It was the most wonderful sunset and starry sky I have ever seen. I was very moved. It became the best memory of this trip.

今までにみたことながないくらい素晴らしいサンセット＆星空でした。とても感動しました。今回の旅行の一番の思い出になりました。

I participated in the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Reflecting Telescope by Masashi Nature School. The tour had only Japanese participants, totaling nine people, and we traveled in a box car. Our tour guide was a Japanese man named Jin, who graduated from the University of Hawaii and conducted research on volcanoes locally. He shared interesting stories about Hawaii's volcanoes, flora and fauna, and daily life during the drive, so we were never bored in the car.

First, we stopped at a spot with a 360-degree view of the lava landscape for a commemorative photo. The guide actively took pictures for everyone with their cameras, which was very helpful. Next, we had a bento lunch at a relay point at the observatory. I had imagined it would be something simpler, but it was a substantial bento that even included miso soup. After eating, we were provided with warm clothing (thick coveralls, gloves, and knit hats) and headed to the summit. I hadn’t brought much warm clothing to hot Hawaii, but honestly, the provided gear was sufficient, and I was fine with just long-sleeved underwear. I was also concerned about altitude sickness, but thanks to the guide's advice on breathing techniques and care, I had no issues. The sunset and stargazing afterward were incredibly beautiful, and the guide's explanations were easy to understand. I’m really glad I participated, so I highly recommend it!

マウナケア山頂 サンセット＆星空観測ツアー＜反射望遠鏡＞ by マサシネイチャースクールに参加しました。ツアー参加者は日本人ばかりで全員で9名の参加で、１BOXカーで移動しました。ツアーガイドはハワイ大学を出られて現地で火山の研究をされていたJINさんという日本人の方で移動中もハワイの火山の話から動植物の話、日常のお話など面白おかしく話していただいて移動中の車の中でも全く退屈することはありませんでした。初めに360度溶岩の風景の箇所に下りて記念撮影。ガイドさんが積極的に皆のカメラで写真と取っていただいたのも助かりました。続いて、天体観測所の中継地点にてお弁当で腹ごしらえ。もっと簡素なものかと想像していましたがしっかりとしたお弁当で、お味噌汁もついていました。食後は防寒着（厚手のつなぎ、手袋、ニット帽）を貸していただきいざ山頂へ。暑いハワイであまり防寒着を持ってきていなかったですが、正直用意されているものだけで、後は長袖の下着のみでOKですので、長ズボン、ジャケットなどはなくても私は大丈夫でした。高山病の心配もしていましたがガイドさんからの呼吸法などのアドバイスや気遣いもあり問題ありませんでした。その後の日没、星空もとてもきれいでまたガイドさんの説明もわかりやすくて参加して本当に良かったですので、是非おススメです！！

Relaxing, simple but enough to know about the island and the driver was very courteous, informative.

I participated in a tour on the day of the new moon! After reading reviews of various tour companies, I chose this highly-rated tour. It lived up to the expectations set by the reviews, and I am very satisfied.

Since it was a new moon, the Milky Way was clearly visible without any moonlight, and I was able to see shooting stars, which was a very precious experience. My friends, who only speak English, were well taken care of, and I felt the kindness and hospitality of the guides.

The free photo download service was also a wonderful perk! Thank you to our guides, JIN and Macchan!

新月の日にツアーに参加しました！色々なツアー会社さんのレビューを読み、一番評価の高かった当ツアーを利用させていただきました。レビュー通りの期待を裏切らないツアーで、とても満足です。
新月という事で、月の光が全くない中天の川もはっきり、流れ星も見る事が出来、とても貴重な体験を出来ました。一緒に行った友人がみんな英語しか話せない人たちという事で、友人に気配りもしてくださり、とても親切でホスピタリティ精神に溢れているなぁと思いました。
写真の無料ダウンロードサービスもとっても嬉しい特典です！
ガイドのJINさん、まっちゃん、ありがとうございました！

The tour conductor was Matt, and he was very funny and kind! It was a really enjoyable tour filled with laughter thanks to Matt's lively talk. The food was delicious, and they also lent us warm clothing, which was wonderful. Above all, Matt's spirit of service and his extensive knowledge about the land and stars were truly amazing and impressive. Thanks to him, I made unforgettable memories. Thank you!

ツアーコンダクターはまっちゃんで、とっても面白くて親切な方でした！！
まっちゃんの軽快なトークに笑いながらとっても楽しいツアーでした。
ご飯もおいしかったし、防寒具も貸して頂き、素晴らしかったです。
何よりもまっちゃんのサービス精神と土地や星など色々な知識が本当に本当に素晴らしくて、感動しました。
おかげで忘れられない思い出ができました。ありがとうございました！

The beautiful sunset and the starry sky were wonderful. I also appreciated the service that allowed us to take photos and download them for free.

とれもきれいな夕陽とたくさんの星空がとてもよかったです。写真も撮影してくれた上、無料でダウンロードできるサービスが良かったです。

The sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea was also very wonderful, but it was a bit cold. During the stargazing, I saw the Milky Way for the first time in my life. The guide's explanations were easy to understand and entertaining. I was very satisfied to see various colored stars through the telescope, including Saturn's rings, Antares in Scorpius, and the stars of the Big Dipper, as well as the Andromeda Galaxy.

マウナケア山頂サンセットもとても素晴らしかったのですが少し寒かった
星空観測では、生まれて初めて天の川を見ました。ガイドさんの説明も分かりやすく,おもしろおかしく説明してくれました。
望遠鏡で土星の環やさそり座のアンタレス、北斗七星の連星など、いろいろな色の星、
アンドロメダ星雲も見ることができ大満足です。

It was a great tour with a great guide. He loves his job, he know a lot of things on Hawaiian culture. It's a deluxe tour with a lot of attention! We will never forget that tour!

Great comfortable boat. Friendly service. Fantastic food.Highly recommend this dinner cruise

Due to traffic (not indicated by Google Maps) we were running late. I called the boat office and they would not hold the boat for me for 7 minutes, as that is all we needed after the traffic picked up to get to the pier. Extremely disappointed! It was our last night in Hawaii so we couldn't make it up. $450 in the air. Hopefully Veltra will understand and issue a refund.

I was impressed by our guide, Matsucchan, from the very first meeting. He always gave his all, and he was a wonderful person who enhanced the beauty of the sunset and starry sky on the Big Island. It had been a while since our last family trip, and the photos we took captured everyone with big smiles, creating lovely memories. I definitely want to participate again. Thank you!

ガイドの松っちゃんは、初対面時からその人柄に衝撃を受けましたが、常に全力で対応して下さり、ハワイ島の夕陽、星空をさらに引き立てる素晴らしい方でした。
久々の家族旅行でしたが、撮影した写真はみんな満面の笑みで素敵な思い出となりました。
是非また参加したいです。
ありがとうございました！

We have been coming here for quite a while and have attended more luaus than I can count. The island breeze luau is the best. What makes this one great is the history of the island that is part of the program. Plus the buffet is the best one around. And just like in real estate, LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!!!!!!
We recently moved here so a luau is always on the agenda when friends come. We still get as excited now as the first one we ever saw.
Aloha

Compared to Waikiki, the weather was not very good, and I was a bit worried, but by the time we reached the summit, it was clear skies! We were able to see the shining sunset and the Venus Belt that appeared after sunset.

The stargazing afterward was also wonderful, as we enjoyed a sky full of stars, including the Milky Way, the Southern Cross, and planets. It was truly a fantastic experience, and my friend and I were both deeply moved.

It gets really cold at the summit, so having Heattech would be a good idea.

ワイキキと比べるとあまり天気が良くなくて少し心配していたのですが､山頂に到着する頃には快晴！光輝くサンセットと日没後現れるビーナスベルトも見ることが出来ました｡
その後の星空観測も天の川や南十字星､惑星を含め満天の星空を楽しみました。
本当に素敵な体験で友達と二人感動しっぱなしでした｡
山頂は本当に寒いのでヒートテックがあると良いです。

You can easily drive to the summit of Mauna Kea. You can acclimatize to the altitude while enjoying a bento, and they provide solid advice on breathing techniques. Watching the sunset sinking into the sea of clouds is truly moving! You might even forget to breathe... During the stargazing, you can see the Southern Cross and the Milky Way, and the explanations of the constellations were very easy to understand. They take great care in preparing warm clothing and drinks, allowing you to forget the cold and get lost in the starry sky! You can also capture such wonderful scenery in photos. If you have a DSLR but lack confidence, don't worry! They will carefully guide you on camera settings. Even if you can't take the photos yourself, a great photographer will capture the best shots for you. Thank you, Macchan, for taking care of us from the beginning to the end of the tour.

マウナケアの山頂まで楽々、車で登れます。高地順応もお弁当を食べながらでき、呼吸法のアドバイスもしっかりしてくれます。雲海に沈む夕陽を見ていると、本当に感動！息をするのも忘れてしまいそうになりますが・・・。星空観測では南十字星や天の川も見れて、星座の解説もすごくわかりやすかったです。防寒着から暖かい飲み物の準備など、気配りもばっちりで寒さも忘れて、星空に見惚れます！そんな素晴らしい景色を写真でも残せます。一眼レフを持っていても、いまいち自信のない方、大丈夫です！カメラの設定も丁寧に教えてくれます。自分で撮れなくても、名カメラマンがベストショットを撮ってくれます。
ツアーの最初から最後まで全力でケアしてくれたまっちゃん、ありがとうございました。

It truly felt like a breathtaking feature from a television program appeared right before us. The weather on the day we participated was fortunate, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful sunset from the mountaintop and a stunning starry sky. Our guide, Jin, was friendly and kind, and Yamachan's explanations about the stars were very easy to understand and witty, which made for a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Thank you for the wonderful time. Lastly, the miso soup served during dinner at the Onizuka Center was very delicious. If you're someone who gets cold easily, it might be a good idea to bring a neck warmer.

まさしくテレビ番組の絶景特集が目の前に現れた感じでした。私達が参加した日は天候にも恵まれたらしく、山頂でのサンセットも、星空も美しく最高の景色を拝むことができました。ガイドのじんさんも気さくで親切だったし、やまちゃんの星空の説明もとても分かり易くウイットにとんでいて、リラックスして楽しい気持ちですごすことができたのも良かったです♡素敵な時間をありがとうございました。最後になりましたが、オニヅカセンターでの夕食時に出していただいたお味噌汁、とっても美味しかったです。寒がりの方は、ネックウォーマーを持参されるとよいかもしれません。

This was my second time participating in the sunset and stargazing tour at the summit of Mauna Kea! The sea of clouds and the sunset were absolutely amazing, and it was so soothing. I was able to feel the clear air and enjoy a peaceful moment! The stargazing coincided with Tanabata, and I was able to see the Milky Way as well as my zodiac sign, Leo. No matter how many times I visit the Big Island, I always get to see it in different ways, which is so much fun and allows me to create many memories! The tour guides were all full of vitality, and having Japanese guides made me feel at ease. I look forward to more enjoyable tours in the future!

今回2回目のマウナケア山頂夕陽と星空観測参加！
やはり雲海、夕陽が最高で、、、癒されました。
空気が澄み渡り、静かな時間を感じる事が出来ました！星空観測も丁度七夕で天の川も観れ、私のしし座もしっかり見る事出来ました。
ハワイ島は何度訪れても様々な姿を見る事が出来楽しく、思い出をたくさん作る事が出来ました！
ツアーガイドさんたちも皆さんバイタリティに富みやはり日本人ガイドさんだと安心でした。
これからも楽しいツアーを期待しています

The various responses were polite and kind. The bento was delicious. The explanation of the stars was very well done; it was a wonderful experience.

色々な対応とっても丁寧で親切でした。お弁当も美味しかったです。星の説明はとっても上手でした、素晴らしい体験でした。

For our 25th wedding anniversary, we visited the Big Island of Hawaii for the first time. We heard about a sunset and stargazing tour, and I felt we had to go, so we chose the highly-rated tour from "Masashi Nature School" among many options.

On the day of the tour, we were picked up from our hotel around 3:30 PM. We boarded the last two seats of the 13-person capacity van. There was a bit of tension about climbing to an altitude of 4200 meters, which is higher than Mount Fuji, but our guide, Jin, reassured us that we would be fine since we could drive to the summit and would properly acclimatize.

The shield volcano has a gentle slope, so it didn’t feel like we were climbing much, yet we quickly surpassed 2000 meters in elevation. Along the way, we took commemorative photos and arrived at the Onizuka Visitor Center (at 2800 meters). We had a dinner of bento and miso soup to help with acclimatization. The temperature had dropped, so the warm miso soup was very welcome.

Finally, we attacked the summit! Although we were just sitting in the car, it was quite easy. Upon reaching the summit, we saw the sunset over a sea of clouds. The colors of the sky changed moment by moment, and then came the sunset. It was breathtaking!

After other tours descended the mountain, we followed suit. Jin had options for stargazing spots based on the day's weather and conditions, and he chose the best location for us. Although the moon was somewhat bright at 10 days old, the sky was filled with stars. Jin provided explanations about the stars, and my childhood passion for astronomy was reignited. We were able to observe the craters on the moon and the rings of Saturn through a telescope. It was also great to see the Southern Cross clearly. We took commemorative photos in various poses against the starry backdrop.

Blessed with good weather, we thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful sunset and stargazing. Thanks to Jin's thoughtful care, we had a truly enjoyable time. Thank you!

結婚25周年の記念旅行で初めて訪れたハワイ島。
サンセットと星空観測ツアーがあると聞いて、是非行かねばと思い、数あるツアーの中から評判の良かった「マサシネイチャースクール」さんのツアーを選択。
当日のピックアップはホテルの場所柄15時半過ぎ。定員13人の最後の二席に乗り込む。
これから富士山より高い標高4200Mの山に登るという緊張感もあったが、山頂まで車で行けるし、高度順応のちゃんとやっていくので大丈夫というガイドの仁さんの説明で一安心。
盾状火山で道が緩やかなため、あまり登っている感覚はないが、あっと言う間に標高2000Mを超えていく。
途中、記念撮影などしてオニズカ・ビジターセンター（標高2800M）に到着。高度順応を兼ねたお弁当とお味噌汁の夕食。さすがに気温も下がってきたので、温かいお味噌汁がありがたい。
いよいよ山頂にアタック！とはいってもこっちは車に座っているだけなので楽チン楽チン。
山頂に着くと雲海の上に傾きかけた夕日。空の色が刻一刻と変化していく。そして、サンセット。感動！
他のツアーが山を下りた後、我々も続く。仁さんはその日の天候やコンディションに会わせた星空観測スポット候補を持っているそうで、今回もベストの場所をチョイス。
月齢10日の月がやや明るいものの、空には満天の星空が広がる。仁さんによる星空の説明。小さい頃からの天文ファンの血がたぎる。 望遠鏡で月面のクレーターや土星の輪も観測することが出来た。南十字星が大きくはっきり見えたのも良かった。星空をバックにして思い思いのポーズでの記念撮影も。
天候にも恵まれ、素晴らしいサンセットと星空を堪能。仁さんの細やかなお心遣いのおかげでとても楽しい時間を過ごすことが出来た。ありがとうございます！

Lots of neat stuff at the bottom, and a very comfy ride.

Jim Carey was a fantastic tour guide. His stories and knowledge of the volcano, stars and planets was excellent.

One of the purposes of my visit to the Big Island was this tour, which provided satisfaction as expected. We were blessed with good weather, and I was able to take photos of the sunset right above the Subaru Telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatories. During the stargazing, I even captured the red glow of the distant Kilauea Volcano in my photos. I also appreciate the humor and hospitality of our excellent guide, Mr. Matsuzaki from Masashi Nature School.

ハワイ島を訪れた目的のひとつであったこのツアーは、期待通りの満足を与えてくれました。天候にも恵まれ、国立天文台ハワイ観測所（すばる望遠鏡）の真上に沈む夕陽を写真に撮り、星空観測では、遠くキラウエア火山の赤い光も写真に捉えることが出来ました。
マサシネイチャースクールの名ガイド・Matsuzakiさんのユーモアとホスピタリティにも感謝です。

We had a wonderful time. The captain steered around a storm and we were able to have a great trip. The food was delicious, the whole crew was great. Thanks for the awesome time.

Mike Nelson was the best guide! He knew everything about the island - and catered to our needs. He gave us options based on our interests and prior experience on the island. He did his best to give us a good understanding of the people, history, culture, and economy of the island. Knew local legends, astronomical information, plant and animal facts, as well as best "tips" on everything from restaurants and beaches, to coffee and desserts.