yes yakushima reviews

  Our group was family, four of us participating in a one day tour of the island with UNESCO forest highlights-focus on the natural beauty and world of Yakushima. We got... read more to know the island through our guide; we saw many monkeys, deer, waterfalls, forest, ocean views, beaches, you name it!

Tour guide Steve was friendly, knowledgeable, flexible, set a great pace, felt I had seen all there was to see within the time allowed.

All in our group were very pleased with all aspects of the guide and tour.

  We used Yes Yakushima for a few things including a full day hike (Yakusugi Land + yamato sugi hike), trial dive for scuba diving (via another vendor), and also to... read more book our rental car on the island. Overall, we had a really good experience and I would recommend them to anyone travelling to the island. Here is where they really stood out:
1) Very quick responses to inquiries about options and things to do
2) Each vendor they used for us -- car rental via Destino and scuba via Kaiolohia were fantastic and we had a great experience.
3) Quality of hiking guide (Steve) - I cant express enough how much we enjoyed our hike with Steve. We did it on our first day and learned so much during our time about the island, the trees, and the flora/fauna. There were so many times we would have normally just walked by something by Steve highlighted it and helped us understand why something was important for the forest. The 7 hour roundtrip flew by and we had a great time just having conversations about Japan, life, etc. Cant recommend this enough.

We have done a few different guided activities in Japan and this was certainly one of our top experiences.

  We wanted to have a tour outside the main touristic spots, Steve showed us hidden parts of the forest, taking us to magnificent cedar trees. Not only he explained really... read more well the history of Yakushima, he also gave us lot of knowledge about Japan, from flowers till politics. I totally recommend! We will book a tour again.

  We cannot recommend Steve enough. He was one of the best guides we have ever engaged. We had a group 10; 6 of which were children, and Steve was a... read more gracious guide to adult and child alike. We could have sent the kids alone. Not only did he take us through this amazing forest, he had a David Attenborough-like knowledge of the surroundings: the biology, the geology, the culture. It was truly educational. The 6-hours flew by and we were disappointed when it was over.

  We cannot recommend Steve enough. He was one of the best guides we have ever engaged. We had a group 10; 6 of which were children, and Steve was a... read more gracious guide to adult and child alike. We could have sent the kids alone. Not only did he take us through this amazing forest, he had a David Attenborough-like knowledge of the surroundings: the biology, the geology, the culture. It was truly educational. The 6-hours flew by and we were disappointed when it was over.

  Steve was an awesome tour guide and a huge help when some of our travel plans went sideways! He helped translate with the ferry and hotel to make sure we... read more were set up for the night when we weren't able to get off island the day we expected due to some bad weather. He is super knowledgeable about the island and japan, and was very responsive to our questions leading up to the tour.

Fantastic experience! Highly recommend to anyone journeying to Yakushima.

  Steve was an awesome tour guide and a huge help when some of our travel plans went sideways! He helped translate with the ferry and hotel to make sure we... read more were set up for the night when we weren't able to get off island the day we expected due to some bad weather. He is super knowledgeable about the island and japan, and was very responsive to our questions leading up to the tour. Fantastic experience! Highly recommend to anyone journeying to Yakushima.

  Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!! Steve is a wealth of information, awesome guide (became a friend really), better than a local due to the number of years living in this island... read more and raising a family. Passionate and cares about the island. Learned a lot from him about the place and hope to do another trip with him. Hats off to Steve

  Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!! Steve is a wealth of information, awesome guide (became a friend really), better than a local due to the number of years living in this island... read more and raising a family. Passionate and cares about the island. Learned a lot from him about the place and hope to do another trip with him. Hats off to Steve …

  I had a wonderful time with Steve. We visited Princess Mononoke's forest. It was my dream! But Steve's tour was much more than that. I learned so much about the... read more history of Yakushima, why it is so beautiful, and why it is so special today. Want to know the answer? Take a tour with Steve!

  I had a wonderful time with Steve. We visited Princess Mononoke's forest. It was my dream! But Steve's tour was much more than that. I learned so much about the... read more history of Yakushima, why it is so beautiful, and why it is so special today. Want to know the answer? Take a tour with Steve! …

  Amazing, Amazing, Amazing!! Steve is a wealth of information, awesome guide (became a friend really), better than a local due to the number of years living in this island... read more and raising a family. Passionate and cares about the island. Learned a lot from him about the place and hope to do another trip with him. Hats off to Steve

  I had a wonderful time with Steve. We visited Princess Mononoke's forest. It was my dream! But Steve's tour was much more than that. I learned so much about the... read more history of Yakushima, why it is so beautiful, and why it is so special today. Want to know the answer? Take a tour with Steve!

  My husband and I booked the Shiratani Unsuikyo tour with two friends over the long weekend and had a wonderful experience. Steve was an outstanding tour guide who delivered... read more a professional, informative and fun tour that made a huge difference to our visit to Yakushima. Just a few specifics: Steve arrived at our hotel on time and checked our gear – both footwear and raingear – as well as inquiring into any medical issues and confirmed we knew what we were getting into before we set off. At the entrance to the trail, he provided us the layout of the hiking trail and noted that there were two routes we could opt for when we reached a certain point totally based upon how we felt physically and what it was we were looking for in the hike – summit or forest. While on the hike he made sure we were comfortable with the pace and would stop and provide informational vignettes which provided knowledge as well as upon occasion, much needed breaks in the hike up a very steep trail. He was able to read his audience which made the hike much more enjoyable for everyone. He provided the same measure of concern and control over us on our way back down which was significantly more difficult due to moss-covered rocks and water hazards. When we finally got down to the parking lot after approximately seven hours, he made certain everyone was physically well and satisfied with the excursion. On the way back to our hotel, Steve went out of his way to graciously stop at a several locations so we could pick up cash and groceries as these facilities would have been closed by the time we go back – lifesaver! Also important to note, the tour price included a filling Bento box for lunch consisting of two onigiri as well as pork cutlets and karaage. We highly recommend YES! Yakushima to anyone who wants to really learn about the island while enjoying the various excursions available.

  My husband and I booked the Shiratani Unsuikyo tour with two friends over the long weekend and had a wonderful experience. Steve was an outstanding tour guide who delivered... read more a professional, informative and fun tour that made a huge difference to our visit to Yakushima. Just a few specifics: Steve arrived at our hotel on time and checked our gear – both footwear and raingear – as well as inquiring into any medical issues and confirmed we knew what we were getting into before we set off. At the entrance to the trail, he provided us the layout of the hiking trail and noted that there were two routes we could opt for when we reached a certain point totally based upon how we felt physically and what it was we were looking for in the hike – summit or forest. While on the hike he made sure we were comfortable with the pace and would stop and provide informational vignettes which provided knowledge as well as upon occasion, much needed breaks in the hike up a very steep trail. He was able to read his audience which made the hike much more enjoyable for everyone. He provided the same measure of concern and control over us on our way back down which was significantly more difficult due to moss-covered rocks and water hazards. When we finally got down to the parking lot after approximately seven hours, he made certain everyone was physically well and satisfied with the excursion. On the way back to our hotel, Steve went out of his way to graciously stop at a several locations so we could pick up cash and groceries as these facilities would have been closed by the time we go back – lifesaver! Also important to note, the tour price included a filling Bento box for lunch consisting of two onigiri as well as pork cutlets and karaage. We highly recommend YES! Yakushima to anyone who wants to really learn about the island while enjoying the various excursions available. …

  Traveling to and on Yakushima with YES is highly recommendable! We had wonderful days on the island and Steve was key to this wonderful vacation! He arranged everything for us:... read more ferry tickets, a wonderful minshuku with lovely hosts and guided trips on the island (including snorkeling fun with wild sea turtles). He showed us his favorite places on the island, which were super beautiful. Listening to his stories and knowledge about Yakushima was great fun, too! Thanks a lot for everything!

  Traveling to and on Yakushima with YES is highly recommendable! We had wonderful days on the island and Steve was key to this wonderful vacation! He arranged everything for us:... read more ferry tickets, a wonderful minshuku with lovely hosts and guided trips on the island (including snorkeling fun with wild sea turtles). He showed us his favorite places on the island, which were super beautiful. Listening to his stories and knowledge about Yakushima was great fun, too! Thanks a lot for everything! …

  My husband and I booked the Shiratani Unsuikyo tour with two friends over the long weekend and had a wonderful experience. Steve was an outstanding tour guide who delivered... read more a professional, informative and fun tour that made a huge difference to our visit to Yakushima. Just a few specifics: Steve arrived at our hotel on time and checked our gear – both footwear and raingear – as well as inquiring into any medical issues and confirmed we knew what we were getting into before we set off. At the entrance to the trail, he provided us the layout of the hiking trail and noted that there were two routes we could opt for when we reached a certain point totally based upon how we felt physically and what it was we were looking for in the hike – summit or forest. While on the hike he made sure we were comfortable with the pace and would stop and provide informational vignettes which provided knowledge as well as upon occasion, much needed breaks in the hike up a very steep trail. He was able to read his audience which made the hike much more enjoyable for everyone. He provided the same measure of concern and control over us on our way back down which was significantly more difficult due to moss-covered rocks and water hazards. When we finally got down to the parking lot after approximately seven hours, he made certain everyone was physically well and satisfied with the excursion. On the way back to our hotel, Steve went out of his way to graciously stop at a several locations so we could pick up cash and groceries as these facilities would have been closed by the time we go back – lifesaver! Also important to note, the tour price included a filling Bento box for lunch consisting of two onigiri as well as pork cutlets and karaage. We highly recommend YES! Yakushima to anyone who wants to really learn about the island while enjoying the various excursions available.

  Yakushima was an amazing place to visit, I do not think however, that it would have be nearly as incredible if we did not have Steve as our guide.... read more We did two hiking tours(Shiratani Unsuikyo and Mt.Kuromidake) and the Yakushima Island tour, all three of these days were amazing and definitely highlights of our trip. Steve knew the answer to all of our questions and more, informing us about various different facts regarding the island ranging from the history of the island to a good place to grab a beer.
We would not have gotten nearly as much out of this island if we had gone off on our own and just winged it.
We all highly recommend this company for your trip to guarantee an amazing stay on this beautiful island.

  My husband and I arrived in Yakushima excited to start our adventure. As we walked around trying to rent a car, we were continually turned down. After the 6th rejection,... read more we sat on a curb in a grocery store parking lot, eating apples, and contemplating our life decisions. During the planning of this trip, we saw great reviews for "Yakushima English Service (YES)." Maybe they might have a shuttle or some other advice on getting around the island? We decided to call. YES co-owner, Steve, said give me 10 minutes to call around. Within 30 minutes, Navi Car Rental Services showed up, drove us to their store, and rented us a car! Worth mentioning is that they did not even take advantage of our desperate state! The car and price were PERFECT! Not only did Steve save our trip, but he also shared his wealth of knowledge on Yakushima, giving us great hiking recommendations. When asked how we could ever repay him for his kindness, he simply requested that we pay it forward. And, we certainly will! Thank you so much Steve, Helen, and YES!