All Reviews for Mauna Kea Summit, Big Island

The air at 4,207 meters was very clear and delicious, and I was able to see a beautiful sunset! A little lower down, I was able to observe the starry sky, and I saw shooting stars and satellites. The cocoa provided was also very tasty, and this was an activity that is hard to experience in Japan, including the environment! The guide was a local person who explained things in both Japanese and English, so I was able to enjoy the tour without any difficulties.

4,207メートルの空気はとても澄んでいておいしく、綺麗な夕日を見ることができました！少し降りたところで星空も観測でき、流れ星や人工衛星を見ることができました。支給されたココアも非常においしく環境も含めてなかなか日本では体験できないアクティビティでした！ガイドさんも現地の方でしたが日本語も交えて説明してくださり何不自由なくツアーを過ごせました。

The summit was very clear, and both the sunset and the starry sky were beautiful, which made me very satisfied. Since it was a crescent moon, it was 70% visible, so I could see it well, but with a full moon, the moonlight makes it harder to see the stars, so it might be good to check the moon's condition. There were eight Japanese participants, so we had a guide who spoke Japanese, which made it stress-free and very enjoyable.

山頂はとても澄んでいてサンセットも星空もとてもきれいで、とても満足しました。三日月だったので70%の見え方だったのでよく見られましたが、満月だと月の光で星はみえにくくなるので、月の状態を確認するのもいいのかも。日本人が8人参加したので、日本語ができるガイドさんで、ストレスがなくとてもよかったです。

Such an amazing experience! Pictures don’t do justice of being up so high above the clouds. The sunset was gorgeous, the sandwich was good, the stars were incredible!

Shoyo was very kind and took great pictures!

I was moved to discover such a beautiful place on Earth. I'm glad I decided to participate.

I had always wanted to climb Mauna Kea, but since it's a difficult place to reach on my own, I joined a tour.

The breathtaking views at Mauna Kea are beyond words, enveloped in a quiet atmosphere that made time feel like it was stretching on, creating a sense of immersion.

The transformation from the blue sky in the afternoon to the sunset and then to the starry sky was magical, and it was so beautiful that it took my breath away.

The tour was conducted in English, but our tour guide, Shoyou, also provided explanations in Japanese, which made it easy to understand.

The light snack sandwiches were served near the summit rather than at the visitor center, and it was delicious to eat while watching the sunset!

The most enjoyable part was the stargazing. With the telescope provided, I was able to see the beautiful moon and stars, and the guide carefully explained how to identify the constellations and their origins, making for a very meaningful and fun experience.

I truly recommend this to anyone who is considering participating! Thank you very much.

地球上にこんな美しい場所があるのかと感動しました。思い切って参加して良かったです。

もともとマウナケアに登ってみたいと思っていましたが、自力で行くのは難しい場所のためツアーに参加しました。

マウナケアは言葉で表現できないくらい美しい絶景を見ることができ、静かな空気に包まれていて時が経つのが長く感じられ、没入感がありました。

午後の青空からサンセット、そして星空へと表情を変えていく様子は幻想的で、ため息が出るほど美しかったです。

ツアーは英語での催行ですが、ツアーガイドのしょうようさんが別途日本語でもご案内をしてくださったので、分かりやすかったです。

あと軽食のサンドイッチは、ビジターセンターではなく山頂付近で提供いただきましたが、夕陽を見ながら食べられて美味しかったです！

特に楽しかったのは天体観測です。ご用意頂いていた望遠鏡で、美しい月や星を見ることができたり、満点の星空に浮かぶ星座の見方や由来を丁寧に説明してくれたりと、とても有意義で楽しい体験ができました。

参加を迷われている方にも本当におすすめします！
ありがとうございました。

It's worth a visit.
They provided warm clothing, light snacks, and cocoa, and the guide actively encouraged us to take photos.
Additionally, the guide had extensive knowledge about the observatory and the night sky, and the explanations were very thorough, deepening our understanding.

行ってみる価値があります。
防寒着、軽食、ココア、も付いており、ガイドの方も積極的に写真撮影の声掛けをしてくださいました。
また、天文台と星空の知識が豊富でとても丁寧な説明で知識が深まりました。

I was moved!
The guide was bright, knowledgeable, and reliable, the scenery was wonderful, and the night sky was covered with unbelievable stars.
The sandwich at the summit and the cocoa under the starry sky were all so enjoyable.

感動した！
明るくて物知りで頼りになるガイドさん、素晴らしい景色、信じられないくらいの星に覆われた夜空。
山頂のサンドイッチも、星空の下のココアも、なにもかもが楽しかった。

Thanks to the knowledge of professional photographers regarding great shooting spots and techniques to prevent altitude sickness, I had a wonderful experience. The Japanese conversations in the car were entertaining, making the travel time fly by!

プロだからこそわかる撮影スポットや高山病を防ぐテクニックのおかげで素敵な体験ができました👐
車内の日本語トークが面白く、移動中もあっという間に過ぎてしまいました笑

The tour included a visit to the Onizuka Visitor Center, sunset viewing at the summit, a tour of various observatories from around the world, stargazing at the best spots, and sandwiches. At the summit, a sea of clouds spread out, and the sunset behind the observatory painted the clouds in shades of crimson, which was incredibly beautiful. The countless stars filling the sky were a sight that could only be seen by coming this far, and it was truly moving. Additionally, our guide, Mr. Shoyou, was Japanese, so his explanations about the night sky were easy to understand, and he was supportive in every aspect. The rental of warm clothing was also very helpful.

オニヅカビジターセンターの見学、頂上でのサンセット鑑賞、各国の天文台の見学、ベストスポットでの星空観察とサンドイッチ付きと全て揃ったツアーでした。
頂上は雲海が広がり、天文台をバッグに沈む夕陽は雲を茜色に染まりとても美しかったです。今にも降り注いでくるかと思うほど空一面に広がった星の数々はここまで来ないと見られない光景で感動しました。また、ガイドのショウヨウさんは、日本人の方なので、星空の説明も分かりやすく、全ての面において心強かったです。防寒着のレンタルも助かりました。

Unfortunately, due to the weather, I couldn't see the sunset from the mountaintop, but I was able to see it a little lower down. The starry sky, of course, has a number of stars that can't be compared to those in Japan, but it wasn't different from the night sky visible from the hotel where I stayed. However, thanks to our guide, Shoyou, who diligently searched for spots to view the sunset and stars and provided detailed explanations, I was able to participate enjoyably.

あいにくのお天気で、夕陽は山頂から見れず、少し下ったところで見ることができました。
星空も、もちろん日本とは比にならない星の数ですが、宿泊先のホテルから見える夜空と変わりませんでした。
でも夕陽や星空の見えるところを一生懸命探して、詳しい説明もしてくださるガイドのショウヨウさんのおかげで、楽しく参加させていただけました。

We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers, we had a great time with our guide at the stargazing tour. Our highlights were the lava caves, watching the sunset as well as stargazing. The sky was unbelievable and we learned a ton with our very knowledgeable guide.

Highly recommend.

The guide was fluent in Japanese and talked about altitude sickness measures and various topics during the ride, which made me feel at ease and enjoy the experience. The weather was great, and it was the best experience. I want to go to Hawaii Island again! Next time, I want to join the sunrise tour! ☺︎

ガイドさんが日本語も堪能な方で、高山病の対策についてや車内でも色々とお話しをしてくれて安心して楽しめました。
天気も良く、最高の体験ができました。またハワイ島に行きたい！次はサンライズツアーに参加したいです☺︎

I signed up for the tour because there was only an English option, but it seems a certain number of Japanese participants gathered, and they held a Japanese tour for us. I was glad to receive explanations in Japanese about altitude sickness and the stars, which were quite specialized. Our guide, Sho-chan, was friendly and made it enjoyable. The timing for the sunset and stargazing was perfect, and I'm really glad I participated in the tour.

英語でのツアーしかなかったので申し込みましたが、日本人参加者が一定数集まったそうで日本人むけの日本語ツアーを開催してくださいました。高山病へのアテンションや星の説明など専門的な話を日本語で説明受けれてよかったです。ガイドのしょうちゃんはフレンドリーで楽しかったです。
サンセットの時間や星空観測などの時間配分も完璧でツアーで参加してよかったです。

Just got back from our tour, but if you're questioning of splurging, take these into consideration: these are based on my experience tonight.

1) liking the convenience of a tour guide driving to the summit. But if the sunset view is what you’re after- you can drive to the summit yourself. Everyone follows the rule of leaving the observatory after sunset. Totally understandable. STUNNNNING views. Keep in mind it’s gravel paved and quite treacherous at night- but doable.

2) huge upset: if stargazing is what you’re after- like me. I was disappointed that they only show THREE views through telescope. Three. That’s it. First was a cluster of random stars. Second, after math of a super nova. Third was millions of stars what believed to be pulled in by a black hole. Amazing stuff, but that’s all you get. I was reading other previous reviews and they seem to enjoy more bang for their buck. The tour guide did go over the constellations using a laser and showed some stars in the sky without needing the telescope- but if you’re wanting to see planets, stars up close, we were limited to three.

3) food was okay- salty lasagna. Just save some few bucks and bring your own food.

4) bundle up-long sleeve and pants, close toe shoes is a must. It gets cold at night. They do offer parkas and gloves.


Would I want to do this again? Not after tonight. It was overpriced for what they offer.

Sam was fantastic - really gave us all an exceptional tour of the night sky and was very knowledgable and great with the kids too!

I had been to the visitor center in the past, but this time I participated in the sunset and stargazing tour at the summit for the first time. In conclusion, I was very satisfied with my participation! I highly recommend it!

There were more participants than I expected, and we departed in two cars. The cars were divided between foreigners and Japanese participants, and our driver was Japanese, who communicated clearly and kept the conversation enjoyable throughout the trip. Despite the large number of people, I felt that the service was not lacking, and efforts were made to ensure everyone could enjoy the experience.

We brought down jackets, gloves, and hats, but they provided very warm rental gear, so I think it's fine if you don't bring anything. Each group had several photos taken, and they captured wonderful pictures for us. During the sunset, I felt the power with my whole body, and I was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the starry sky shining all around.

I also got to see a very cute semicircular rainbow next to the summit of Mauna Kea. It was a tour filled with emotion, a gift from the snow goddess Poliahu. If you are going to the Big Island, I definitely recommend participating!

過去にビジターセンターまで行ったことはありましたが、今回初めて山頂でのサンセットと星空観測のツアーに参加しました。
結論、参加して大満足です！おすすめします！
参加人数が思ったより多く、車2台で出発。
車は外国の方と日本人とに分けられ、私たちのドライバーは日本の方で、とてもわかりやすく楽しくずっと話してくださいました。
人数が多いから…とサービスが手薄にならず、すべての人が楽しめるように工夫されていたと思います。
私たちはダウンや手袋、帽子は持参しましたが、とても暖かそうな防寒具の貸し出しがあるので何も持っていかなくても大丈夫だと思います。
写真もそれぞれのグループで何枚も撮影してくださり、素敵な写真を撮ってくださいました。
サンセットでは体全身でパワーを感じ、夜空一面に輝く星空には自然の雄大さに圧倒されました。
またマウナケア山頂の横にとてもかわいい半円の虹を見ることができました。
雪の女神ポリアフからの贈り物に、感動ばかりのツアーでした。
ぜひハワイ島に行かれるなら参加して欲しいです。

I participated with my daughter. It was our first time seeing such a beautiful sunset, and we were both moved! The explanations during the stargazing were detailed and easy to understand. Above all, we were captivated by the dazzling stars that were out!

娘と参加しました
こんなに美しい日没を見たのは初めてでふたりで感動しました！
星観察でも詳しい説明なので分かりやすかったです
何よりもこんなに星が出ていたんだとキラキラまばゆい星に見惚れてしまいます！

We gathered at the Royal Kona Resort and set off. After about an hour and a half, we arrived at the Onizuka Visitor Center, where we took a 30-minute break to acclimatize to the altitude. The Onizuka Visitor Center has souvenirs, explanations of the ecosystem on Mauna Kea, and insect specimens on display, so it’s not boring. After the break, we headed towards the summit, stopping at various observatories and photo spots along the way. Our guide, James, actively took photos and entertained us, making the journey very enjoyable. I participated with my family, and when one family member started feeling unwell on the way to the summit, he was very helpful in preparing oxygen for us. If you experience any symptoms like headaches or nausea, it's best to report it on the spot and ask to extend the break time at the Onizuka Visitor Center. After reaching the summit, we waited for the sunset while visiting the surrounding observatories. I think it’s a good idea to take photos at various locations while waiting. If you ask, James will take interesting photos with a special camera. The changing contrast of the sky, clouds, and sun during the sunset is beautiful. I felt that wearing sunglasses was essential to see it properly. After the sunset, we descended a bit while eating sandwiches in the car and observed the starry sky. The sandwiches were incredibly delicious. At the start of the stargazing, the sky was still bright and it was hard to see the stars, but as time passed, the sky gradually filled with stars, which was captivating, and I was moved by the vast starry sky. The only disappointment was that the moon was too bright to see the Milky Way this time. Our guide, Shotaro, prepared a simple telescope and showed us a beautiful moon that we usually can't see. He also explained the constellations, allowing us to enjoy the stargazing experience. At the end, he took photos with a camera that captures the stars well. After the stargazing, they can take you back to your accommodation for an additional fee, but generally, the tour concludes at the meeting point. Both the sunset and stargazing were wonderful experiences. The guides, James and Shotaro, were kind and attentive, making it an overall satisfying tour.

Royal Kona Resortで集合して出発。約1時間半かけてオニヅカビジターセンターに向かい、高山病に備えて30分ほど休憩。オニヅカビジターセンターには、お土産やマウナケア山における生態系の説明、虫の標本などが展示してあり退屈しない。休憩後は山頂へ向かいながら、ところどころ天文台やフォトスポットに駐車。ガイドのJamesは積極的に写真を撮ってくれたり楽しませようとしてくれて、非常におもしろい道中だった。私は家族で参加したが、山頂へ向かう途中で家族の1人が不調を訴えたときは酸素を吸えるように準備くれたため、とても助かった。少しでも頭痛・吐気などの不調があれば、オニヅカビジターセンターでの休憩時間を延ばしてもらうよう、その場で申告した方が良い。山頂到着後は周囲の天文台を周りながらサンセットまで待機。待機時に色々な場所で写真を撮るのが良いと思う。Jamesはお願いすれば、専用のカメラでおもしろい写真を撮ってくれた。サンセットの過程では、空と雲と太陽のコントラストが刻々と変化していく様が美しい。しっかりと見れるようにサングラスの着用は必須と感じた。サンセット後は車内でサンドイッチを食べながら少し下山して星空観測。このサンドイッチはやたらと美味しい。星空観測の開始時は空がまだ明るく星が見えにくかったが、時間が経つにつれて徐々に満天の星空になるのは見てて飽きず、見渡す限りの満天の星空には感動した。ただ今回は月が明るすぎて天の川が見えなかったことだけが残念だった。ガイドのShotaroは簡易な天体望遠鏡を準備しており、普段は見えない綺麗な月を見せてくれた。星座についても解説してくれたため、楽しみながら星空観測をすることができた。最後には星空が良く撮れるカメラで写真を撮ってくれる。星空観測終了後は、追加料金を払えば宿泊場所まで送ってくれるが、基本的には集合場所で解散。
サンセット、星空観測ともに素晴らしい体験だった。ガイドのJames、Shotaroも親切で気が利いていたため、全体的に満足なツアーだった。

At the summit, it was a windy day, and even though I borrowed ski wear, it was colder than I imagined, so I quickly got back into the car. At the observation point, cocoa was also served, and it wasn't that cold there. The staff explained the stars using a pointer, and since we had two guides, we could hear explanations in both English and Japanese, which made it very easy to understand. Since it was the day before the full moon, they mentioned that the stars weren't as clear as usual, but I was thrilled to see both the Southern Cross and the Big Dipper at the same time.

山頂は、風が強い日で、スキーウェアもお借りしましたが、想像以上の寒さですぐに車に乗り込んでしまいました。
観測地点では、ココアも配られ、そこまでは寒さではなかったです。
星の説明もポインターで指しながら、2台で登りましたのでそれぞれのスタッフから英語と日本語の両方で聞くことができとてもわかりやすかったです。
明日が満月という日だったのでいつもよりははっきり見えないとのことでしたが、南十字星と北斗七星を同時に見ることができて感激しました。

The weather in the city was cloudy, but at the summit, the clouds were far below. As expected at an altitude of over 4000 meters, the air was incredibly clear, and the surroundings were beautiful. The sunset as the sun sank into the clouds was stunning and captivated my heart.

Regarding altitude sickness, I think as long as you follow the staff's advice and don't get too excited at the summit, you should be fine.

If you come to the Big Island, this is definitely a place you should visit. The day we went was almost a full moon, so it wasn't very suitable for stargazing, but the staff's stories about the stars were great, and I was able to see artificial satellites moving, which was also nice.

街中では天気は曇りでしたが山頂は遥か下に雲、さすが標高4000m以上だとめちゃくちゃ空気も澄んでいて周りがとても綺麗でした。
太陽が雲に沈んでいく時とても綺麗で心が奪われました。

高山病に対しては、スタッフの言う事を守っていけば、よほど山頂ではしゃいでいなければ大丈夫かと思います。

ハワイ島に来たならば絶対来るべき所です。
私達が行った日はほぼ満月でしたので星の観察にはあまり適さなかったですが、それでも分かる範囲でスタッフの星の話は良かったですし、人工衛星も動いていたのを見れたのでそれも良かったです。

You can drive to the summit of Mauna Kea, which is higher than Mount Fuji (elevation 4,205m)! It’s a wonderful tour where you can also see the Subaru Telescope in Japan. I’ve always wanted to go someday, and this year my wish came true.

The sunset sinking into the sea of clouds at the observatory was extraordinarily beautiful. Although there were initial concerns about thin clouds during the stargazing, it cleared up completely by sunset, and the Milky Way appeared right in front of us. I was moved by the true "starry sky." We also saw satellites and shooting stars (though it was disappointing not to see anything resembling UAPs). The Southern Cross was just about to set behind the western hills, but we managed to see it. I was very satisfied.

Our professional guide, Sho, was friendly and shared a lot of interesting stories (bilingual). Sho is also a professional photographer. I’m looking forward to seeing the photos we each took afterward. If I participate in another tour, I would love to request Sho again. The sandwiches and cocoa we drank under the starry sky in the cold were delicious!

Since it was summer, I didn’t feel cold thanks to the warm clothing provided for the tour (especially the jacket). They also sell warm clothing at the visitor center, which could make for a nice souvenir.

I had previously experienced altitude sickness while climbing Mount Fuji, so I was a bit worried, but this time there were no issues. Once we reached the summit, my body felt heavy. Some participants felt unwell, but it was good that they could rest in the car.

富士山よりも高いマウナケア山頂（標高4205m）まで車で行けて！日本のすばる天文台もみれるすばらしいツアー。いつかいってみたい！と思い続けて今年その願いが叶いました。
天文台のあいまの雲海に沈んでいく太陽は非日常的な美しさでした。その後のスターゲイジングも初め薄雲が心配されていましたがサンセットまでにはすっかり晴れ、ミルキーウェイが真正面に現れこれが本当の「星降る満天の空」と感動しました。人工衛星や流れ星もみれました（UAPっぽいものはみれず残念）。南十字星も、ちょうど西の丘に沈みかけていましたがみれました。大満足でした。

今回プロのガイドさんであるShoさんはきさくでいろいろとお話をうかがえてよかったです（バイリンガル）。Shoさん写真もプロですよ。この後各自で撮っていただいた写真をみるのが楽しみです。いつかまたツアーに参加するならShoさんにお願いしたいです。そしてサンドイッチと星空の下寒い中飲んだココアはおいしかった！

夏だったのでツアーで用意されている防寒具（特にジャケット）で寒く感じませんでした。ビジターセンターでも防寒具売っています。いいお土産になるかもしれません。

わたしは富士山登山で高山病になったことがあり少し心配していましたが今回は問題ありませんでした。山頂についたらガクッと体が重くなりました。参加者のなかには具合が悪くなった方がいましたが車のなかで休むことができたのでそれはよかったと思います。

If you're coming to the Big Island, I highly recommend this tour! The summit of Mauna Kea had clear air and a beautiful, sunny atmosphere. Eating a BLT sandwich while watching the sunset at 4,200 meters is an experience you can't find anywhere else! And the BLT sandwich is delicious!

You can take photos in various styles, and during free time, you can capture pictures from different angles. There is also a stargazing tour, but I recommend going on a new moon day! Unfortunately, there was some moonlight, but you can still enjoy stargazing and be very satisfied! The warm cocoa was very tasty.

The guide primarily speaks English, but I was relieved to know they could speak some Japanese as well! Anyway, the greatness of this tour can't be conveyed unless you participate. So, I won't post any photos. Please join and experience this wonderful time for yourself!

ハワイ島へ来るなら、このツアーをおすすめします！
マウナ・ケア山山頂は、空気が透き通り、晴れ渡って素敵な空間でした。
4200mで夕陽を眺めながら食べるBLTサンドは他では経験出来ないと思います！そしてBLTサンドが美味しいです！
写真撮影も色んなパターンで撮って貰えますし、空き時間で色んな角度から写真を撮れます。
星空のツアーもありますが…新月の日がおすすめです！
残念ながら月明かりがありましたが、それでも星座を眺めたり十分に満足出来ます！
温かいココアはとても美味しかったです。
ガイドさんは基本的には英語のガイドですが日本語も多少なり話せて安心しました！
とにかくこのツアーの素晴らしさは参加しないことには伝わりません。なので写真も載せません。ぜひ参加して素敵な時間を体験してみてください！

Watching the sunset and stargazing at Mauna Kea became a lifelong memory. The sight of the sun sinking into the sea of clouds was mystical, and the starry sky was breathtakingly beautiful. The guide's explanations were thorough, allowing us to enjoy the experience with peace of mind. Warm clothing is essential, but it's definitely worth it!

マウナケアでの夕焼けと星空観賞は一生の思い出になりました。夕日が雲海に沈む光景は神秘的で、満天の星空は息をのむ美しさ。ガイドさんの解説も丁寧で安心して楽しめました。防寒対策は必須ですが、その価値は十分にあります！

The tour guide primarily spoke English, but they were kind and attentive even to those who couldn't speak English. I was very satisfied as I was able to get many beautiful photos taken!

ツアーガイドさんは英語メインでしたが、英語が話せなくても親切で丁寧に声をかけてくれました(^^)綺麗な写真も何枚も撮って貰えて大満足です！

About six months ago, I decided on this tour for the new moon in June and planned my trip. The weather forecast in Japan indicated that it would be clear the whole time, but when I arrived at the location, it was mostly cloudy. The highlights of the tour were watching the sunset at the summit and stargazing. I was able to enjoy both quite a bit. Since it's about the weather, there's nothing to do but pray, but it seems that the moonlight significantly affects stargazing. All 11 guests were Japanese, and the guide was of Japanese descent (we called him Sho-chan) and provided the tour entirely in Japanese, which was very helpful. The topics covered ranged from safety to sightseeing, keeping us entertained without getting bored. His photography skills were particularly impressive. It seems that we can download the photos of the sunset against the backlight and the portraits under the starry sky later. The explanation of the starry sky was also good. He used a laser to explain the constellations. I highly recommend this tour.

半年ほど前から、6月の新月の日にこのツアーを決めて旅行を組みました。日本の天気予報では、ずっと晴れが続くことになってはいたのですが、現地に着くと、雲の多い天気が続いていました。ツアーの目玉は頂上での日没と星空観察です。｡何とか二つとも十分楽しむことができました。天気のことなので、祈る以外はないのですが、月のあかりは、星空観察には大きく影響するみたいです。ゲストは11人全員が日本人でガイドは日系の方で(私たちは正ちゃんと呼んでいましたが)日本語だけで案内していただけました。これはありがたかったです。話の内容は安全に関することから、観光に関することまで飽きさせることなく楽しませてくれました。特にカメラの腕は素晴らしいです。逆光の夕日、星空の中での人物の写真はあとで、ダウンロードしていただけるようです。また星空の解説は良かったです。星座についてレーザーを使って説明してくれました。お勧めできるツアーです。

In June, the summit of Mauna Kea was said to be 7°C, but it didn't feel as cold as I expected. On the way up the mountain by car, thick clouds made it hard to see anything, but at the summit, we broke through the clouds and had a clear view of the surroundings. There were some clouds higher up, but the sunset from there was very beautiful. The guide also provided various tips and took three poses for us.

For stargazing, there were some areas where it was a bit hard to see due to the clouds, but the guide's explanations were thorough, and I was able to understand the constellations well.

6月のマウナケアの山頂は7℃と言われましたが、思った程寒く感じませんでした。車で山を登る途中は厚い雲で周りが見えないほどでしたが、山頂はそのその雲を突き抜けて、周囲はクリアーに見ることが出来ました。また更に上空には若干の雲はかかりましたが、そこから見る夕陽がとても綺麗でした。ガイドの方も色々とアドバイスしてくれて3ポーズ撮影していただきました。
星空観察も雲のかかったままでやや見えづらいところもありましたが、ガイドの方のご説明も丁寧で星座などもよく理解できました。

This was a great experience. Getting to see the observatories and look out over the clouds above everything on the Big Island was really amazing. Watching the sunset and then doing some star gazing was awesome. Very happy with everything.

The purpose of participating in this tour was not only to see the sunset from the summit but also to experience the best starry sky and the Southern Cross from the slopes of Mauna Kea. A significant difference from the sunrise tour I participated in before is that we head to the summit while it’s still bright, allowing us to fully enjoy the scenery along the way, the sea of clouds, and the surrounding mountains. Although it was foggy and rainy until we broke through the clouds, we were blessed with good weather from the visitor center and were able to witness an amazing sunset. During the stargazing afterward, as soon as we arrived at the viewpoint, the Southern Cross was clearly visible right next to the ridge! It’s nearly impossible to see this in Japan, so I made sure to imprint it in my memory and take photos. Since the moon wasn’t out, the starry sky was even more spectacular than a planetarium. Thank you for such a wonderful time.

今回このツアーに参加した目的は最高峰からのサンセットはもちろんのことマウナケア山麓で観る最高の星空と南十字星です。以前参加したサンライズとの大きな違いは、まだ明るい時間に山頂へ向かいますので、道中の景色や雲海、周りの山々がしっかり見られることです。雲を抜けるまでは霧と雨でしたが、ビジターセンターからは天気にも恵まれ、感動のサンセットを観ることができました。その後の星空鑑賞ではポイント到着後すぐに稜線のそばにはっきりと南十字星が！日本で観ることはほぼ不可能ですのでしっかり目と写真に焼き付けました。月も出ていなかったので満天の星空はもうプラネタリウム以上でした。本当に幸せな時間をありがとうございました。

The staff who spoke Japanese (Mr. Shotaro) provided a thorough guide!! I was moved to see the Milky Way for the first time. I'm looking forward to seeing the photos!

日本語を話せるスタッフ(正太郎さん)が丁寧に案内してくれました！！
初めて天の川をみて感動しました。写真を見るのが楽しみです！

I visited the Big Island for the first time, and one experience I definitely wanted to try was the Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing. The weather was great, and both the sunset and the starry sky offered the best views. The two guides were kind and created a fun atmosphere, which made me feel comfortable participating. Although it was an English-guided tour, they mixed in some Japanese, so even Japanese speakers could enjoy it. The BLT and cocoa they prepared were also very delicious. It became a memorable experience of a lifetime. Thank you very much.

初めてハワイ島を訪れたのですが、必ず体験してみたいと思っていたのがこのマウナケアの夕日星空鑑賞でした。天気も良く夕日も星空も最高の眺めでした。ガイドのおふたりも優しく楽しい雰囲気でツアーが行われたので安心して参加できました。英語ガイドでしたが、日本語も混ぜてくれたので日本人でも楽しむことができました。用意してくれていたBLTやココアもとても美味しかったです。一生に残る思い出になりました。ありがとうございました。

I had a very meaningful experience. At the pickup location, it was summer clothing, but it gradually got colder as we approached the slopes of Mauna Kea. We acclimatized to the thin air at around 2800 meters and then headed to the summit. The clear air and the sight of the setting sun were amazing. Additionally, the stargazing after sunset was easy to understand thanks to the guide's thorough explanations, and we were lucky enough to see shooting stars. The starry sky was the best experience.

とても有意義な体験ができました。ピックアップ場所では夏服でしたが、マウナケア山腹に近づくにつれて徐々に寒くなって行きます。2800メートル付近で酸素の薄さの慣らしをしていざ頂上へ。空気が澄んでいて沈んでいく太陽見られたのは最高でした。また、サンセット後の星空観測はガイドさんの丁寧な解説付きで分かりやすく、運良く流れ星も見えました。満天の星空は最高の体験でした。