Reviews
More reviews available at Google Reviews
Rachel Phillips
★★★★★ Google review
2 days ago
"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. Absolutely 5 star experience".
Anna A.
★★★★★ Google review
2 days ago
"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".
Ulrik Jepsen
★★★★★ Google review
2 weeks ago
"John is a great guide - relaxed, friendly and professionel. We had a great time diving, watching the mangroves and so on. He was also very flexible in regards to our wishes".
Andrea Zana
★★★★★ Google review
3 weeks ago
"John took us (a family of four from the US) on a one-day excursion of the north side of Amami Ooshima, combining visits to some well-known landmarks with our own (occasionally odd) requests to experience the island in his authenticity. He provided interesting commentary that really helped us understand the historical, social and cultural setting of this area, as well as better navigate it on our own afterwards. The tour was organized, but also very laid back, in keeping with the island's style. We strongly recommend booking him; we did it through the hotel, Miru Amami (also strongly recommended!)".
Kristen Basiaga
★★★★★ Google review
3 weeks ago
"John gave a great private tour! It started a few weeks before the tour day. We talked in advance via email about what things we wanted to do: kayaking, waterfall, heart-shaped rock, and authentic food. He gave us time and money estimates ahead of time. He looked up the tides and saw that the heart-shaped rock would be underwater during our desired time so we skipped it. He had additional options like a brewery tour, hike, or snorkling if we wanted.
"On the day of, John picked us up from our hotel and drove us to all destinations. This was super important because it is difficult to rent a car in the area. He even stopped at the one ATM that took American cards on the island! We had a great time!"
Larissa Ham
★★★★★ Google review
3 weeks ago
"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 so definitely knows his stuff, and his language skills and connections around this beautiful island made everything so much easier.
There was also plenty to see, from kayaking in mangroves, to lovely beaches, a really interesting distillery, cool local restaurants and more".
"I would 100 per cent recommend John's guiding services - and he was also very easy and fun company for a few days. Thanks again!"
Thierry Peurois
★★★★★ Google review
A month ago
"Me and my partner had recently the pleasure to stay on the wonderful Amami Island where we met and spend a day touring with John from @amami_john . It was very pleasant and John was very easy going and flexible. We stopped for lunch in a wonderful local restaurant. Thanks John".
More reviews available at Google Reviews.