Reviews
More reviews available at Google Reviews & TripAdvisor
Larissa Ham — Google Reviews I travelled to Amami Oshima as part of my work as a travel writer, with the trip sponsored by a local tourism federation. John was a fantastic host, and his knowledge and enthusiasm for the island really made the trip. He’s lived in Japan for decades and clearly knows his stuff, and his language skills and local connections made everything much easier. There was also plenty to see and do, from kayaking through mangroves to beautiful beaches, a fascinating distillery, great local restaurants, and more. I would one hundred per cent recommend John’s guiding services. He was also very easy and fun company to spend a few days with. Thanks again.
Tristen Hester — TripAdvisor Amami Tours was hands down the best experience we had in Amami. John was an incredible guide and worked with us to craft the perfect day tour of the island. We enjoyed walking scenic nature routes, snorkelling some of the most colourful and lively reefs, and learning a great deal about the local plants and wildlife. In addition to the natural beauty, we also learned a lot about the island’s culture and history. The food on this tour was outstanding. We dined at a local seafood restaurant for lunch and enjoyed the best sashimi of our entire two-week Japan trip. To cool off on a hot summer day, we stopped at a small local stand for refreshing, citrus-flavoured shaved ice. If you get the chance to try it, do. After a full day exploring the island, we also visited the clothing shop owned by John’s wife in the city. John and his wife surprised my wife with a birthday cake and beautiful flowers, making her birthday extra special. We truly appreciated the warmth and hospitality they showed us. We are very thankful for this experience. John’s friendliness and deep knowledge of the island and its nature made the day unforgettable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Amami — a trip to the island would not feel complete without an Amami Tours experience.
Peter Linde — TripAdvisor We were very happy to spend a whole day with John in November on Amami Island. Although it was a rainy day, he showed us the special beauty of the island by kayaking through the mangrove forest. As a real professional, he showed great patience with our inexperience in the kayaks — thank you very much again, John. Afterwards, we visited a truly hidden waterfall. We are sure not many people have seen this wonderful place in their lifetime. We also visited the Amami Oshima World Heritage Conservation Center and walked through the Amami Nature Forest, where John was the best guide we could imagine. We were deeply impressed by his enormous and detailed knowledge of the local fauna and flora. In addition, he told us a great deal about the special features of the inhabited Amami Islands and, of course, about kokuto shochu — much more vivid than reading about it in a book. Finally, we had one of the best ramen meals of our Japan trip in Naze. Many thanks for this unforgettable day, and all our best wishes to John. Firaja & Peter — Berlin, Germany
Rachel Phillips — Google Reviews We spent two full and amazing days with John. He is an amazing guide, and we had a great time with him. His tours are the best way to experience the island and to get to places that are not easily accessible on your own. He designed our day trips to accommodate our requests, and it felt as though we were touring the island with a good friend. An absolutely five-star experience.
Andrea Zana — Google Reviews John took us, a family of four from the US, on a one-day excursion around the north side of Amami Oshima, combining visits to well-known landmarks with our own occasionally odd requests to experience the island in an authentic way. He provided interesting commentary that really helped us understand the historical, social, and cultural setting of the area, and also made it easier for us to navigate on our own afterwards. The tour was well organised but also very laid back, perfectly in keeping with the island’s style. We strongly recommend booking John. We arranged the tour through the hotel Miru Amami, which we also highly recommend.
Gad Yaron — TripAdvisor John specializes in ecology and nature. He is an Australian who speaks fluent English and fluent Japanese. He guided me for 3 days on this unique island located in the heart of the ocean (East China Sea) about 1500 km south of Tokyo. On 2 day tours and 1 night tour we saw endemic birds, mammals and reptiles. John has extensive knowledge, is very friendly and very attentive to customer. Highly recommended for nature lovers.
Cindy Bissig — Google Reviews We had an absolutely amazing time on Amami Oshima, and it was all thanks to the incredible tour we booked with Amami Tours. I had visited the island once before and found getting around on my own quite difficult, so this time having private transportation to and from our accommodation — and everywhere in between — made all the difference. One of the highlights was visiting a kokuto (black sugar) factory and getting a behind-the-scenes look at a local distillery. We were even able to taste kokuto shochu, which was especially meaningful as our guide, John, works at the renowned Nishihira Distillery. Learning directly from someone with insider knowledge and deep local connections made the experience truly unique. Our private tasting session was both informative and fun, and we left with a new appreciation for the island’s culture and craftsmanship. Our only regret was not booking more time with John. After just one day exploring with him, we realised how much more there is to discover on Amami Oshima. If you’re planning a visit to the island, I highly recommend Amami Tours to make the most of your stay.
Kristen Basiaga — Google Reviews John gave us a great private tour that actually started a few weeks before the tour day. We talked in advance via email about what we wanted to do — kayaking, a waterfall, the heart-shaped rock, and authentic local food. He gave us clear time and cost estimates ahead of time. He also checked the tides and realised the heart-shaped rock would be underwater during our preferred time, so we skipped it and adjusted the plan. He offered additional options as well, such as a brewery visit, a hike, or snorkelling. On the day of the tour, John picked us up from our hotel and drove us to all destinations, which was extremely helpful as it is difficult to rent a car in the area. He even stopped at the one ATM on the island that accepts American cards. We had a fantastic time.
Anna A. — Google Reviews My husband and I had the pleasure of traveling to Amami Island for a unique project, and our experience with Amami Tours, particularly with John Cantu, was nothing short of remarkable. We spent about a week on the island, immersed in research and the execution of an art project that required specific video materials and shots. Our needs were quite specific, yet John met and exceeded every expectation with grace and expertise. John proved to be an invaluable asset to our journey. His profound knowledge of Japanese culture and language not only facilitated our work but also enriched our experience beyond measure. John's connections and familiarity with the island allowed us to have numerous beautiful, unplanned encounters with locals. These generous people welcomed us into their community, enabling us to experience a side of Japan that we would have missed as mere tourists. Thanks to John, we never felt like outsiders; we were given a rare glimpse, a privilege that would have been impossible to secure on our own. Throughout our stay, we consistently received more than we anticipated. John's dedication to our project and his willingness to cater to our out-of-the-ordinary requests were truly commendable. He went above and beyond to ensure our happiness and the success of our project, proving himself to be not just a guide, but a passionate facilitator of authentic experiences. We cannot recommend John Cantu highly enough. Whether your interests are mainstream or as unique as ours, John is the guide who will go the extra mile to make your dreams a reality. Thank you, John, and Amami Tours, for an unforgettable adventure and the amazing time we had. Your efforts have not only contributed to the success of our project but have also left us with cherished memories we will hold dear forever.