All Reviews for Big Island Stargazing Tours

A friend recommended that I go up to nearly 4,000 meters on Mauna Kea, so I found this tour and joined. I was looking forward to enjoying the starry sky as we drove there, but due to an unexpected wildfire, we could only climb partway and had to turn back. Although I couldn't see the stars at the summit, the guide was very thoughtful and stopped the car at various points so we could admire the night sky. We were also able to see a beautiful sunset. It was extremely cold, but the guide lent me a cozy warm jacket, which was a lifesaver! I hope to be able to see the stars at the summit next time...

友人から「マウナケア4000メートル近くまで行くのがお勧め」と言われ、このツアーを見つけて参加しました。星空を楽しみに車で向かいましたが、まさかの山火事で途中までしか登れずUターンすることに…。山頂で星空を見ることはできませんでしたが、ガイドさんもいろいろ考えてくれて途中途中で車を止めながら星空を眺めることができました。それにサンセットはきれいにみることができました。めちゃくちゃ寒かったですが、ガイドさんがモコモコの防寒着を貸してくれたので助かりました！次回は山頂で見られますように…

The tour to Mauna Kea summit was majestic, and we have to thank our tour guide/driver for that. Besides holding an astronomy degree and being very knowledgeable in answering our questions, he kept us amused about the stars we were watching through a telescope. Great company, very comfortable vehicles, knowledgeable and entertaining tour guides, five star trip!

To acclimate to the high altitude, we took two breaks that included meals, and on the way to the summit, we could see Mauna Loa from the car window, which was breathtaking!

Once we reached the summit, we took a commemorative photo with the sunset in the background. Unfortunately, there were some clouds that day, so the sunset wasn't as impressive, but when we descended a bit to the stargazing point, the night sky was beautifully clear. The guide explained about the stars, and I was delighted to see my birth month constellation.

We also saw artificial satellites, shooting stars, and through a telescope, we were able to view Jupiter and its four moons. I felt secure as we had warm clothing, including a jacket, pants, and gloves. It was a fantastic experience!

最初高地に慣れるため、2回食事を兼ねた休憩を取り、山頂へ、車窓にはマウナロアも見えて
感動！
山頂についてまず夕日をバックに記念撮影この日はあいにく雲があって夕日はいまいちでしたが、少し下って星空観測ポイントについたら、
星空がキレイにみえました、ガイドさんが星について説明をしてくれて自分の誕生月の星座もあり嬉しかったです。
人工衛生、流れ星、望遠鏡で木星と4個の衛星を見せてくれました。
防寒着もジャケットとズボンと手袋がついていたので安心でした。とても良かったです！

We saw the north star in the same sky with the southern cross. Had never seen the southern cross before. That was worth the trip. The great professional authoritative guides, wonderful telescopes and celestial education were all icing on the cake.

My first time on the Big Island and my first nature tour started with a lot of uncertainty, but my worries quickly disappeared, and I was overwhelmed with emotion! As soon as we began climbing Mauna Kea, we encountered beautiful rainbows at three different spots. We took regular breaks to acclimate our bodies and had an early dinner. The miso soup was a blessing. Everyone wore highly effective cold-weather gear as we made our way to the summit. The air was thin, so we took deep, long breaths one at a time. The breathtaking sunset was truly overwhelming. After about an hour of waiting, excited by the increasing number of stars, I saw a multitude of stars I had never seen before, each twinkling felt so close. The telescope showed us the bands of Jupiter and four planets clearly! The lecture about constellations and the movement of stars was easy to understand and great. On the way back, I became so sleepy that I nearly fell asleep until we arrived, but they kindly dropped me off at the entrance of my accommodation, providing excellent service until the very end. Thanks to the attentive care from our two guides, this tour filled with first-time experiences became a fun and worry-free time that flew by.

初めてのハワイ島、初めてのネイチャーツアー、わからないことだらけで出発しましたが、もう心配なんてすぐに吹っ飛び、感動の連続！マウナケアに登り始めてすぐ、３か所で美しい虹に出会えました。休憩をこまめに取りながら、体を慣らして、早めの夕食。お味噌汁がありがたい。防寒効果の高いウエアを全員が身に着けて山頂へ。空気が薄いので、ひと呼吸ずつ深く長く。で、ゆっくりと沈む美しいサンセセットに圧倒的感動。少しずつ増える星の数にワクワクしながら待つこと１時間ほどで、見たことのない星の数、一つ一つの輝きがとても近くに感じる。望遠鏡で見せてくれた木星の筋と惑星４つまでくっきり！星座についてのレクチャー、星の動き、わかりやすくてよかった。帰りは我慢できないほど眠くなったので、到着までほぼ爆睡してしまいましたが、宿泊先の入り口まで送っていただき、最後の最後まで至れり尽くせり。ガイドのお二人、細やかにケアしていただいたおかげで、初めてづくしのツアーで安心して楽しいあっという間の時間になりました。

They provide winter clothing, so you don't need to bring your own. After having a meal at the Onizuka Visitor Center, we took a four-wheel drive vehicle to the summit. I felt a bit unwell after running a little at the Onizuka Visitor Center, so it was tough for a while after reaching the top. Let's all try not to run.

The weather was clear on the day, and the views of the observatories from various countries, the sea of clouds, and the sunset were all amazing. For stargazing, they used a powerful laser pointer to explain the constellations, which made it easy to understand.

It's the best activity!

防寒用の衣類は貸してくれますので、持参しなくても大丈夫です。オニヅカ・ビジターセンターで食事を摂ってから4輪駆動車で頂上まで上がります。オニヅカ・ビジターセンターで少し走ってしまったため、頂上到着後、しばらく辛かったです。皆さん、走らないようにしましょう。
当日は晴天で、各国の天文台の眺め、雲海、サンセットの眺めも最高でした。星空観測も、強力なレーザーポインターを使って星座の説明をしてくれたので、よくわかりました。
最高のアクティビティです。

As we climbed higher into the sea of clouds, we truly felt the altitude of 4,200 meters. We all watched the sunset together, and then at a slightly lower point, we enjoyed stargazing. Unfortunately, since the moon was out, we couldn't see as many stars as we had hoped. With about 20 people (two cars) and only one telescope, it would have been nice to have at least one telescope for every ten people to enjoy it more leisurely. However, it was great to see both the Southern Cross and the Big Dipper at the same time!

雲海の中をどんどん登っていき　4200メートルを実感。夕陽をみんなで観て　少し下がった地点で　星空鑑賞。月が出ていたので　思っていたほどは　星が見えず　残念。20数名(車2台)に　望遠鏡が１台。せめて　10人程度で１台有れば　ゆっくり観れたのに。南十字星と北斗七星　同時に観れて良かった！

The bento was delicious. I was so happy with the miso! As we got closer to the summit, I started to feel dizzy, but Ishikawa-san kept encouraging me to take deep breaths and exhale slowly, which helped me avoid altitude sickness. His reassurance that there were oxygen tanks available if I couldn't handle it was comforting. At the summit, it was like a different world that I had never seen before! The sunset and the starry sky were incredibly beautiful. Thank you, Masa-san, for taking so many photos. I was moved again when I looked at them. I would like to join this tour again when I come back to the Big Island.

お弁当美味しかったです。味噌嬉しかったぁ〜 だんだん頂上へ近づくにつれ頭がクラクラきましたが石川さんが小まめにゆっくり大きく息を吸って口から全部だしますよ〜....と何度も声掛けしてくれ高山病にならず無事行って来れました。我慢出来なかったら酸素ボンベありますからね〜の言葉は安心出来ました。頂上では今まで見た事のない別世界！ 夕日も星空も最高にきれいでした。まささん、たくさん写真を撮って下さり有難うございました。写真を見てまた感動感動でした。
またハワイ島に来た時はこのツアーに参加したいと思います。

The sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea and the stargazing were both amazing. The summit is cold and the air is thin, but they provide warm clothing, and the altitude acclimatization is thorough, so most people can participate without issues. My wife was mostly sleeping due to altitude sickness, though...

The stargazing experience was unique as we could see both the North Star and the Southern Cross at the same time. It was fortunate that the weather was good, and it also helped that it was a night without the moon. Depending on which constellations you want to see, the timing (dates) may vary, so it might be a good idea to consult in advance.

マウナケア山頂からのサンセットも、星空観測も最高でした。
山頂は寒く空気も薄いのですが防寒着を貸してくれますし、高度順応が丁寧なので大抵の方は問題無く参加できます。私の妻は高山病で寝てばかりいましたが。。。
星空は北極星と南十字星が同時に見られるという貴重な体験も。じきがよかったこともありますが、月が出ていない夜に当たったことも良かったそうです。どんな星座が見たいのかによって時期（日付）が違いますので、事前に相談したら良いのかも知れません。

Our tour guide was personable, knowledgeable and had incredible talent as a photographer. He has a great eye for nature’s beauty and is without a doubt a perfectionist. The tour covered a lot of ground in a relatively short amount of time without feeling rushed and I was happy to be taken to spots I wouldn’t have ever found on my own.

I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious bento, and I was happy to have miso soup included! It was the perfect time as I was craving Japanese food!

The sunset was just beautiful! The tour guide, Ishikawa, captured both the sunset and the starry sky perfectly in photos, which made me really happy.

Ishikawa was kind enough to teach us, as we had just bought a camera and were inexperienced. He was so gentle, and I really relied on him!

Since it was close to a full moon, I was worried we wouldn't be able to see the stars, but we were able to see them perfectly. Masa's explanations about the stars were detailed, making it a really enjoyable tour! Thank you! :)

期待してなかったお弁当が美味しくて、お味噌汁まで付いてて嬉しくなりました
日本食が恋しいタイミングだったので！

夕日はとにかく綺麗でした！
夕日も星空もツアーガイドの石川さんがバッチリ写真に収めてくれて、本当に嬉しかったです

カメラを買ったばかりで不慣れな私たちに、親切に教えてくれた石川さん
優しくて、かなり頼ってしまいました！

ちょうど満月に近いタイミングだったので、星空見れないかな、と不安でしたが、バッチリ見ることもできて、マサさんの星の説明も詳しく、かなり楽しいツアーになりました！
ありがとうございました:)

On May 20th, the weather was clear, and I thoroughly enjoyed the sunset. It seems that the tours fill up quickly, so it's best to make a reservation early. Also, due to the construction of a new observatory nearby, tours to the summit may be suspended for a while, so if you're planning to go, do it soon.

5月20日は晴天でサンセットを十分満喫しました。
すぐに満員になるツアーらしいので予約は早めに。
あと、新しい天文台の建設が近いので当分山頂へのツアーが休止になるかもしれないので行くなら早めに。

Guide was informative and friendly. On time performance and tour went well beyond what I thought was included in the days activities. Great to look at the stars through the telescope and have explanation of the skies (for a novice like me). Ride up and back to the summit of Mauna Kea was bumpy at times and a little daunting but not nearly as difficult as some made it out to be. Elevation did not bother me.

It was quite an emotional time.
Among the participants, there was an elderly couple among the younger attendees.
First of all, I didn't have high expectations for the bento, but it was surprisingly delicious (laughs).
The staff's thoughtful advice for altitude sickness prevention was evident.
The carefully planned photo opportunities were great.
The sunset was so beautiful! The full moon... the stars...
Words cannot express it.
Next time, I will bring my grandchild, who loves astronomy, to join.
I'm sure that no matter how many times I participate, I will be captivated by the beauty of nature and experience new emotions. I'm really glad I participated.

なかなか感動の時間でした。
参加者が皆さん若い方の中に年寄り夫婦の参加でした。
まず　お弁当には期待していませんでしたが、なんと美味い（笑）
スタッフさんの心遣いが現れる高山病対策のアドバイス。
思考を凝らした写真撮影。
夕陽の落ちるのがこんなにも美しいものか！満月が・・・星が・・・
言葉では言い表せないです。
次回、天体大好きな孫も連れて参加いたします。
きっと何回参加しても自然の美しさに魅せられて、新たな感動だ出来ると確信します。参加して本当によかった。

It was incredibly wonderful, so I’ll write a review right away. The Mauna Kea mountain was, of course, amazing, but what made it special were the guides, Masaru and another person. (I was guided by Masaru.) The travel time was long, but they always kept the conversation going, which was enjoyable. I would like to come back at a different time to see the stars with Masashi Nature School. I’m going home tomorrow, but I’m glad to end with such lovely memories. Thank you very much.

凄く素晴らしかったので早速レビュー書きます。マウナケアの山はもちろん素晴らしかったのですが、それを素敵なものにしてくれたのは案内人のマサルさんとあと一人の方でした。(私はマサルさんに案内して頂きました。)移動中の時間が長いのですが、常にお話をして下さり楽しかったです。また時期をずらしてマサシネイチャースクールさんで星を見に来たいです。明日帰りますが、素敵な思い出で締めれて良かったです。ありがとうございました。

The main purpose of my stay on the Big Island was to participate in this tour, and I was 120% satisfied thanks to the wonderful weather. I thought the early pickup time would make for a long journey, but with BIG JIN's bright personality, his wealth of experience and knowledge, and his thoughtful attention, the time flew by and it was a truly enjoyable experience.

At the summit of Mauna Kea, I was able to take many photos with a DSLR, and the pictures I downloaded after returning home are truly amazing. The photo of me flying through the sky on MASA's personal broom is a treasure.

Experiencing the sunset and the starry sky of the new moon allowed me to feel the connection between Earth and the universe, instilling a deep respect for nature—an unparalleled experience. When I visit the Big Island again, I would love to rely on this tour company once more and meet JIN and MASA again.

ハワイ島滞在の一番の目的は、このツアーに参加する事でしたが、
お天気にも恵まれ、満足度120％でした。
ピックアップの時間が早かったので、道中が長いと思っていたのですが、
BIG JINさんの明るいお人柄と、豊富な経験と知識に基づくお話、またきめ細やかな気配りで、あっという間の楽しい時間でした。
マウナケアの山頂では、一眼レフで沢山の写真を撮って頂き、帰国後ダウンロードした写真は本当に素晴らしいものばかり。
MASAさん私物のほうきにまたがって空を飛んだ写真は宝物です。
サンセットも新月の星空も、地球と宇宙を肌で感じ、大自然への畏敬の念を抱く、唯一無二の経験でした。
またハワイ島を訪れる際には、またこちらのツアー会社にお世話になり、
JINさん、MASAさんに会いたいです。

　

The weather was great, and we were able to see the best sunset! My heart was cleansed by its beauty. The guide was also very kind and interesting.

天気も良く最高のサンセットを見ることができました！美しさに心が洗われました。
ガイドの方もとても親切で面白い方でした。

A bright and entertaining guide came to greet us and explained various things about Hawaii in a fun way, keeping us engaged from start to finish! The guide's storytelling was just hilarious. We enjoyed the magnificent views of the Big Island of Hawaii from the summit. We were lucky enough to see the best sunset. This was the week after Golden Week. During this time, both Oahu and the Big Island had great weather, with hardly any rain. However, for stargazing, it was a full moon, so we couldn't see many stars; I recommend going during a new moon instead. Also, the mountain path to the summit is steep, so it's best to bring motion sickness medication.

In the evening, the guide played some lovely music, making for a romantic day. It was truly wonderful. If you're visiting Oahu, I highly recommend staying on the Big Island for at least a day and participating in this tour. We had a honeymoon that became a lifelong memory.

明るく面白いガイドさんがお迎えに来てくれ、楽しくハワイの様々なことを説明してくれ、最初から最後まで飽きなかった！
とにかくガイドさんの喋りが面白い。笑
頂上まで雄大なハワイ島の景色を堪能できます。
私達は運良く最高のサンセットを見れました。GW明けの次の週です。この時期はオアフ島もハワイ島も天気が良く、雨がほぼ降らなかったです。ただ、星空観測は満月だったため、星がそこまで見れなかったので、新月の時に行くのがおすすめです。あと、山頂までは山道が険しいの
で、酔い止めは持っていった方が良いでしょう。

夜はガイドさんが素敵な曲をかけてくれ、ロマンチックな1日になりました。凄いよかったです。是非オアフ島行かれる方は1日でも良いのでハワイ島に宿泊し、ツアーに参加してみてください。私達は一生の思い出になるハネムーンを過ごせました。

The day I participated, the weather was bad with rain and wind, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to see the sunset or the starry sky. However, when we reached the summit, the rain stopped, the clouds cleared, and I was able to enjoy the sunset. The starry sky was beautiful, and it was a fun tour!

参加した日は雨風で天候が悪く、サンセットも星空も見えないのでは・・・と不安の中ツアーが進みましたが、山頂につくと雨がやみ、雲も流れていきサンセットを楽しめました。星空もきれいで楽しいツアーでした！

Before climbing to the summit, we took a break at the Onizuka Visitor Center. They served a dinner bento, and the miso soup was truly delicious! I regret asking for only half a serving because I have a small appetite.
The path to the summit was bumpy. First, we waited for the sunset. The guide took many fun photos using the setting sun (like the Kamehameha wave and the classic pose of holding the sun with our hands). After the sun went down, we eagerly awaited the starry sky. Using a laser pointer, the guide provided detailed information about the stars. We also got to take group photos with the stars in the background.
If I come back to the Big Island, I definitely want to join this tour again.

山頂に登る前にオニヅカビジターセンターで休憩します。そこで夕食のお弁当が出るのですが、お味噌汁が本当においしい！小食なので、みそ汁半分にして下さいと言ってしまったのが悔やまれます。
山頂まではガタガタ道。まずは夕日を待ちます。ここでは沈みゆく太陽を使った面白い写真（カメハメ波や、お決まりの手に太陽を乗せている風のポーズ）をガイドさんがたくさん撮って下さいました。夕日が沈んでからはお待ちかねの星空。レーザーポイントを使いながら星について詳しく教えてくれます。星をバックにグループごとに写真も撮ってもらえました。
またハワイ島に来たら絶対にこのツアーに参加しようと思います。

Last year, I participated in the sunrise, so this time I joined the sunset. The time spent at the summit was longer than during the sunrise, and I preferred the sunset. Most participants were couples or groups, but I enjoyed it even as a solo traveler.

昨年は日の出に参加したので、今回はサンセットに参加しました。
頂上の滞在時間が日の出より長く、サンセットがよかったです。
カップルや複数人での参加がほとんどでしたが、一人でも楽しめました。

On the day of the visit, there were many clouds, and I was worried as I aimed for the summit of Mauna Kea. It rained the whole time, which made me anxious, but at the Onizuka Center (closed due to renovations), the ranger had blocked the road. This was due to ice near the summit. After waiting a bit, we had no choice but to descend. On the way down, the guide judged that the clouds might clear, so we aimed for the summit again, but ultimately, it was not possible, and we gave up. In the end, we returned to the base and observed the starry sky near Waikoloa, weaving through the gaps in the clouds. We could hardly see the sunset or the stars, but I was moved by the guide's earnest efforts to show something to the tour guests. I learned that a woman who had tried three times before without seeing the starry sky was attempting her fourth time. I would like to try again for a revenge trip.

当日は雲が多く心配しながらマウナケア山頂を目指しました。その間ずっと雨で不安でしたが、オニヅカセンター（改修工事中のため閉鎖）のところで、レンジャーが道路封鎖していました。山頂付近が凍結しているためとのことでした。少し待って止む無く下山。下山途中で雲が晴れそうだというガイドの判断で、再び山頂方面目指すも、やはりだめで断念。結局、麓まで戻ってワイコロア付近で雲の合間を縫っての星空観測でした。夕日も星空もほとんど見えませんでしたが、しかし、ガイドさんのツアー客に何とか見せてあげたいという、一生懸命な努力を感じて感激しました。聞いたところでは悪天候で過去3回も星空を見ることが出来なかった一人の女性が4回目の挑戦で来られていたことを知りました。又リベンジしたいと思います。

On the day of the event, it was cloudy, and I couldn't see the sunset or the evening sun. The weather is no one's fault, but it was disappointing. I think I'll decide to come back to the Big Island of Hawaii.

参加当日は曇っていて、サンセットも夕日も見れませんでした。
お天気は誰のせいでもありませんが、残念でした。
またハワイ島に来い、と思うことにします。

I can't forget the perfect starry sky I saw about 12 years ago when I participated in a tour, so I chose this tour again without hesitation.

What impressed me first was the guide Matsuzaki's talk, which was so lively that it was more entertaining than comedians on R1, and I was never bored.

This time, I participated in the tour without checking the moon phase, so the number of stars visible to the naked eye was considerably fewer compared to last time, which was a bit disappointing, but that was not the tour company's fault, so it couldn't be helped.

One thing I thought was very good was that the lunch box we received at the visitor center was not made of disposable materials. Seeing other tours using a lot of plastic disposable containers, I think this is a very positive initiative for going green.

Next time, I want to check the moon phase in advance and try again.

ずーっと昔(12年ほど前)にツアーに参加して観た満点の星空が忘れられず、今回も迷わずこのツアーを選びました。
まず印象的だったのはガイドの松崎さんのトークで、R1に出ている芸人さんたちにも勝るような軽快なトークで退屈することが全く有りませんでした。
今回は月齢を確認せずにツアーに参加したため肉眼で観れや星の数は前回と比べるとかなり少なく少し残念でしたがそれはツアー会社さんのせいではないので仕方のない事でした。
とても良いと思った点としてはビジターセンターで頂いたお弁当の容器が使い捨ての物では無かった事です。
他のツアーを見るとプラスチックの使い捨ての容器が多かったので、Go greenの取り組みとしてはとても良い事だと思います。
次回は事前にに月齢をチェックしてリベンジしたいと思います。

Near the summit of Mauna Kea, after enjoying the world-famous telescopes and watching the sunset sinking into the sea of clouds, we did some stargazing a little further down. The twilight gradually faded, and the winter Milky Way appeared beautifully.

The time for stargazing is not long, so you can't observe at your leisure. Depending on the weather, the road to the summit may be closed, which means that sunset and stargazing are not guaranteed, but the high rate of clear skies is reassuring.

As we gradually ascended from the coast to the summit over 4,000 meters high and approached the telescopes, the scenery viewed from the bus window and the guide's stories made for a memorable tour.

マウナケア山頂近くで、世界的に有名な望遠鏡群と、雲海に沈むサンセットを眺めた後、少し下った場所で、星空観測をしました。
薄明が残っている時間から徐々に暗くなり、冬の天の川がしっかり現れました。
星空観測の時間は、長くないので、じっくりと観測はできません。天気次第では山頂に至る道路が閉鎖されることもあり、サンセット＆星空観測が保証されるものではありませんが、晴天率の高さは安心材料です。
海岸沿いから徐々に高度を上げて、標高4000m超の山頂と望遠鏡群に迫っていく、バス窓から眺めた風景とガイドさんのお話が、印象に残るツアーでもありました。

This time, I participated with a couple of friends and four seniors. A year and a half ago in Hawaii Island (December), I had signed up on-site, but it was canceled due to heavy rain the day before, so I couldn't participate. Instead, I was able to see the snow-covered white Mauna Kea (truly a white mountain)... This time, I made a reservation for the day after arriving in Hawaii Island, allowing for some flexibility. However, on the day of the tour, the bus came all the way to our accommodation to inform us that "the summit is closed due to strong winds." We were able to check the schedule on the spot and change our reservation to April 3, two days later. On the day of the reservation, our guide, Shin, came to pick us up. Since the bus was full (11 people) and we were only in the Keauhou area, we had plenty of time.

During the climb, it rained a little in the clouds, but at the 2000m Mauna Kea Park, the 2800m Visitor Center, and the 4200m summit, the weather was perfect, and we were able to see a wonderful sunset. The bento we ate on the bench at the 2800m Visitor Center wasn't as amazing as Shin said (??), but the miso soup was indeed delicious, and the high energy of our bus guide Matsuzaki was enjoyable. After the Visitor Center, there was some off-road driving, and the back seats of the bus were bouncing, making it a lot of fun.

As we climbed near the summit and saw the Subaru Telescope, our excitement soared. It seems that after sunset at the summit, we must descend within 30 minutes, so we went down to the 3800m parking area where we could see the stars. The starry sky we saw there was indescribably moving. At first, there was still some sunlight, but it gradually got darker, and more stars became visible. We were able to see shooting stars four times. Shin's explanation of the constellations was wonderful. He showed us the Orion Nebula through a telescope. After that, we took commemorative photos against the starry sky, which can be downloaded later along with other photos.

On the way up, I started to feel the thin air around 3800m, and when I bent down to put on my socks at the summit, I felt a bit dizzy, but I didn't experience any clear symptoms of altitude sickness and was able to return safely. I was blessed with the best opportunity to easily climb to 4200m and see a sky full of stars (truly!). I would love to participate again. Depending on the weather, I highly recommend it. Please do give it a try!

今回友人夫婦とシニア4人で参加しました。　1年半前のハワイ島（12月）では現地で申し込みするも、前日の大雨で中止になり参加できませんでした。　その代わり積雪のある白いマウナケア（まさに白い山）を拝めましたが...　今回は事前に余裕をみて、ハワイ島到着日の翌日に予約を入れました。ところが当日わざわざバスで宿泊地まで来ていただき「強風のため山頂は閉鎖」と伝えられたことから、その場でスケジュール確認し、2日後の4月3日に予約を変更することができました。　予約当日ガイドのシンさんがお迎えにきて、今回はケアウホウ地区のみでバスが一杯（11人）になったため時間に余裕がありました。　登る途中では雲の中で雨も少し降りましたが、2000mのマウナケアパーク、2800mのビジターセンター、4200mの山頂でも天候ばっちりで素晴らしいサンセットが見られました。　2800mのビジターセンターのベンチで食べるお弁当も、シンさんが言うほど（？？）でもなく、お味噌汁は確かにおいしく、同行したバスのガイド松崎さんのハイテンションも楽しかったです。　ビジターセンターからしばらくオフロードがあり、バスの後部座席は跳ねてはねてギャハギャハと盛り上がっていました。　山頂付近に登りスバル天文台が見えると超テンションがあがります。　山頂では日没後は30分以内に降りなければならないようで、星を見られる3800mの駐車スペースまで下ります。　そこで見た星空は感動としか言いようがないものでした。　最初は太陽の光が残っていますが、徐々に暗くなり見える星も増えてきます。　流れ星も４回見ることができました。　シンさんの星座の説明素晴らしかったです。　望遠鏡でオリオンの大星雲を見せてもらいました。　それから星空をバックに記念撮影もしてもらい、後でその他の写真と一緒にダウンロードできます。　行きは3800mあたりから空気の薄さを感じ、山頂で靴下をはこうと頭を下げたらクラッときましたが、自力での登山中のようにあきらかな酸素不足を感じることも、高山病の症状も無く無事戻ってこられました。　最高の機会に恵まれ、楽〜に4200mまで登り、満天（まさに！）の星空を見られるツアー、また参加したいです。　天候次第ですが、おすすめです。　是非チャレンジしてください。

From the moment we got into the pickup truck, our Japanese guide was non-stop talking, to the point where I thought they might get tired. Since all the participants were Japanese, the vehicle was always filled with laughter. We were blessed with great weather and enjoyed a wonderful sunset. The images taken by the guide beautifully captured the Milky Way, and everyone was amazed and gasped in surprise. I suspected I had symptoms of altitude sickness and felt a bit uncomfortable, but the sunset and starry sky made it all worthwhile.

ピックアップの車内に乗り込んだ時から、日本人ガイドさんは、とにかくしゃべりっぱなし、疲れちゃうんじゃないかと思うほど。参加者は全員日本人だったので、車内は常に笑い声に包まれました。天候にも恵まれ、素晴らしいサンセットを楽しめました。ガイドさんが撮影する画像には、天ノ川がきれいに映り込んでおり、参加者全員が声を上げて驚いていました。高山病症状が疑われて、ちょっと苦しかったけど、サンセットや星空がそれを帳消しにしてくれました。

Thank you so much!
This time, I finally got to see the sunset and starry sky after two attempts!
The guide was very kind and helped me with things unrelated to the tour, for which I am very grateful!
The sunset sinking into the sea of clouds was truly beautiful and will be a lifelong memory!
Of course, the tour was amazing (it's a bit disappointing when the weather doesn't cooperate, but you can get tickets for the next time!). The guides and the people who handled the phone calls were all fantastic!
Also, the bento was delicious!

本当にありがとうございました！
今回　二回チャレンジしてようやく夕日と星空が見れました！
ガイドの方もとても親切で　ツアーとは関係ない事までお世話になり
感謝感謝です！！
雲海に沈む夕日は本当にきれいで一生の思い出になりました！
ツアーが最高なのはもちろんの事（天候の都合で見れない時は少し残念ですが　次回のチケットが貰えます！）ガイドの皆さん　電話対応の方々
皆さん最高です！
あと　お弁当もおいしかったです～

Continuing from yesterday's tour (yesterday was Kilauea), I finally made it to Mauna Kea. To be honest, I’m a sunny weather girl, so as soon as I got on the tour bus, I confidently told the guide that today would be clear and the weather wouldn’t change! I guarantee it! Everyone, it’s thanks to me~ (^_-)☆

Before heading to the summit, we had lunch at the Onizuka Visitor Center (I forgot to take a photo). This was to prevent altitude sickness. I made sure to see the Silversword, which can be seen outside the Onizuka Visitor Center. This alpine plant can only be found in Hawaii and the Himalayas, and it blooms only once every several years.

The reason I wanted to join this tour was to see the Southern Cross and the Subaru Telescope. We were about to depart for the summit. Observatories from around the world lined up. The Subaru Telescope!!

And we enjoyed the scenery until sunset♪~ As the sun set, we got in the car for stargazing at 3,800 meters!!! I chose this tour because it was the highest altitude for observation. However, I realized before leaving the Big Island (tears) that it was three days before the full moon, which means the moonlight would make it hard to see the stars... But I was told that it’s not impossible to see the stars, and the moon would be beautiful, so I was glad I participated knowing that. If you want to see a beautiful starry sky, choose a new moon!!!

Indeed, it wasn’t that the stars were completely invisible, but they were a bit hard to see... However, the moon was incredibly beautiful. I was also surprised to see several artificial satellites shining. The guide was surprised too (+o+). They taught us the positions of the constellations and even shared myths. They answered my questions, like a astronomy expert? Amazing. My question? Of course, it was, “I want to see the Southern Cross.” I was told it can be seen at dawn... Oh dear. I thought maybe I should have gone for the sunrise tour. I’ll save the sunrise for next time. Next time, during the Kona Marathon... I’ll confirm I can see it before making a reservation.

This time, I stayed in Hilo with the sole intention of joining this tour, but I moved to Kona and returned from there.

昨日に引き続きツアーを申し込み（昨日はキラウエア）念願のマウナケアへ
何を隠そう私は晴れ女なのでツアーの車に乗ってすぐに今日はこのまま
快晴で天気は変わることないでしょう！保証しますとガイドさんの案内があり
ました。皆さん、私のおかげですよ～(^_-)☆
山頂へ行く前にオニヅカビジターセンターでお弁当を食べ（写真撮り忘れました。）高山病にならない為にですね。
シルバーソードをしっかり見て来ましたよ。オニヅカビジターセンターの外で見られます。ハワイとヒマラヤでしか見られない高山植物で花は十数年に一度しか咲きません。
このツアーに参加したかったのは南十字星を見たかったこととすばる望遠鏡が見たかったことです。
そろそろ山頂へ向け出発です。世界各国の天文台ずらり。すばる望遠鏡！！
そして夕陽が落ちるまで景色を堪能♪～
陽が落ち車に乗り、3800ｍで星空観測！！！
確かこのツアーが一番標高が高い場所での観測だったので決めました。
でもハワイ島出発前に気づいてしまったのです（涙）この日は満月の３日前
ってことは月明かりで星は見えずらい...でも星空は全く見られないわけでは
ないし月は綺麗に見られますよって言われ承知で参加していたのでよかった
です。綺麗な星空が見たいなら新月を選んでくださいね！！！
確かに星空は全く見えないわけではありませんでしたがやはり見えずらかったかなぁ～...でも月は最高に綺麗でした。あとビックリしたのは人工衛星のヒカリがいくつも見えました。ガイドさんにもビックリ(+o+)星座の位置を教えて頂き、神話まで話してくださいました。ちゃんと質問しても答えて頂き天文博士？素晴らしいです。私の質問？それば決まっていますよ！「南十字星がみたいのですが」明け方に見られるとのこと...トホホ。サンライズの方に
すればよかったかな～とは思いましたがサンライズは次の機会に。次はコナ
マラソン時に...見られることを確認してから予約しよっと
今回はこのツアーに参加したい一心でヒロに滞在していたのですが
コナまで移動しコナから帰国しました。

It was a nice day today!

First, we were at the last hotel for pickup, and I ended up sitting in the back row. This remained unchanged until the end, which was puzzling. Usually, in such tours, you would expect to change seats for the return trip, and I thought the last pickup location would be the first drop-off, so I assumed I would sit in the front. Moreover, there was clearly an elderly person with us, which was a disappointing point.

The weather was great all the way to Mauna Kea. The lunch was a bento box with miso soup, and it was delicious. The cocoa after the meal was also a nice touch. It was cold up there, so I borrowed a jacket and pants to wear on the bus as we headed to the summit. (Honestly, it was a bit sad for the elderly person to sit in the back of the cramped bus.)

After overcoming rough roads, we finally reached the summit!!

Or so I thought, but the ranger told us to turn back... Why? It turned out the wind was strong, it was getting colder, and the road was freezing. We hurriedly took photos at the summit and began our descent. While that was understandable, I was waiting to take sunset photos somewhere, but to my surprise, we had already descended to 2000 meters and it was already sunset. We couldn't even take a photo of the Earth's shadow with just a brief explanation.

Then we climbed back up to Mauna Kea for stargazing. The stargazing itself was good.

I thought this tour title should be canceled, and I wondered if we would receive a ticket to retry within two years, but I was told that we wouldn't receive one after going to Mauna Kea. But we didn't get to see the sunset, did we?

What was even more disappointing was that we could download the photos taken after the tour, but another vehicle from the same company had taken photos of the sunset and the Earth's shadow... Our group had none, and the other photos taken were also lacking.

When I participated in a similar tour of the Grand Circle before, the guides were very knowledgeable about photography and took great pictures, so I might have had high expectations. However, the photography skills this time were disappointing.

Since this was a well-regarded Japanese company, I might have expected too much, but I believe that having better care prepared for situations where the sunset couldn't be captured would enhance overall satisfaction and make it more acceptable. I hope for improvements.

今日はいい天気！という日に参加しました。

まず最後のピックアップのホテルだったのですが、
最後列に座ることに。そしてこれは最後まで変わらなかったのは
なぞでした。
通常こういうツアーだといきと帰りは座る場所を変えたりすると
思いますし、普通最後のピックアップ場所は、最初のドロップオフなので
一番前に座るのかと思ってました。
しかもどう考えても最高齢者が一緒にいたのですが、、これは残念ポイント。

とってもいい天気でオニヅカまで。
お弁当は幕の内弁当とお味噌汁で、おいしかったです。
食後のココアもうれしかった。
ここで寒いので上着とズボンを貸していただき、
着用してバスにのって山頂を目指します。
（狭いバスの中、最高齢者が後ろに座るのは正直ちょっとかわいそうです）

悪路を超えてようやく頂上！！

と思ったら、レンジャーが戻れ、と、、、、。
なぜ？と思ったら風がつよくてさらに寒くなり道路が凍結するから。
とのこと。
頂上の写真をあわただしくとって下山。
それは仕方ないのですが、
どこかでサンセットの写真をとるのかとまっていたら、
まさかの2000メートルまで下がった上にすでに日没。
地球の影も簡単に説明だけで写真撮影できず。

そして再度星空観測のため、オニヅカまでのぼりました。
星空観測自体はよかったです。

これはツアータイトル不催行だな、と思って、よくここで書かれている
二年以内に再チャレンジの券をもらえるのかと思ったら、
オニヅカまでいったらもらえないとのこと。
でもサンセットみれてないのに？と思いました。

さらに残念だったのは、
写真をとっていただいたものを
ツアー後、ダウンロードさせてもらえるのですが、
もう一台行った同じ会社の車は、日没も地球の影も一緒に写真を
とっている、、、、。
私たちのグループはないうえに、他のとった写真もいまひとつ。

以前グランドサークルのこういうツアーに参加したときは
写真の撮り方もとてもガイドさんたちは詳しくて、
本当に上手にとってくださったので
それを期待していたのかもしれませんが、
写真の技術も残念でした。

日系で評判がいい会社だったので期待しすぎたのかもしれませんが、
もう少しサンセットがとれなかったときのケアを考えて用意しておく
ほうが、トータルの満足感もあがるし、納得できると思います。
改善を希望します。