A rain-shrouded island that dazzles with the beauty of the giant cedars
Yakushima
Your
Trip
Charm of Yakushima
As an island located in the southwestern end of the Japanese archipelago with a range of mountains over 1,000 meters, Yakushima has a wide temperature range and a diversity of Japanese flora that is distributed according to altitude. It is also home to a large number of giant Japanese cedars more than a thousand years old. Recognizing the status of these Yakushima cedars and the unique vertical plant distributions, the island was inscribed as the Japan’s first World Natural Heritage site in 1993 (the Shirakami-Sanchi site was inscribed at the same time). Yakushima is nicknamed the “island of water”, such is the amount of rainfall it receives. This water plays a key role in maintaining the unique biodiversity and scenery of the island. Visitors must take care to always use the toilets provided, not to wash their dishes in streams or litter, not to stray from marked trails, and to avoid stepping on moss growing on rocks and fallen tree trunks. Damage to flora and landscapes is not easily undone. Yakushima boasts a large number of trekking trails that offer opportunities to encounter the unique natural environment of the island in a way that respects the wildlife and scenery. The route to the Jomonsugi cedar, said to be between 2,170 and 7,200 years old, is only the best-known. Why not also enjoy other aspects of the island’s natural beauty, like the deep Shiratani Unsuikyo forest covered in hundreds of varieties of moss in a beautiful gorge or clamber to the top of the great Taikoiwa (Drum) rock for a view of the island.
Special Contents
We will introduce the story of each world natural heritage from various themes.
Select the theme you are interested in.
- Trekking / hiking
- Traditional food / local cuisine
- Activities of the four seasons
-
Yakushima
Climbing the steep cliffs and Mt. Mocchomu-dake, looking down on the nature of Yakushima Island and the ocean
-
Yakushima
Warm ocean currents teeming with life create a distinctive culture and cuisine on Yakushima Island
Don’t Miss It
-
Wilson's Stump
The biggest sugi stump on Yakushima, named for E.H. Wilson, the British botanist who reported it to the world. It has a circumference of 13.8m at chest height and an estimated age of 2,000 years. A spring flows in the cavernous hollow of the trunk, which is most famous for the heart-shaped hole that appears when looking up toward the sky.
-
Mt. Mocchomu-dake
Mt. Mocchomu-dake rears up over the southeast of the island. The view of the sea from the summit is not one easily found in the mountains of Honshu. The hike to the top is steep, long and far from easy, but one that showcases the vertical distribution of species that characterize Yakushima’s World Natural Heritage.
-
Ohko-no-taki Waterfall
The 88m Ohko-no-taki Waterfall is ranked among the top 100 waterfalls in Japan and is one of the largest on the island for water volume and size. Visitors can walk right up to the base of the fall, bathed in the mist spray. After rain the waterfall can increase to 20m in width, creating an even more powerful spectacle.
-
Hirauchi Hot Onsen Spring
Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen is a rare natural hot spring along the shore that can only be accessed twice a day for around 2 hours at low tide. There are no changing facilities and it is forbidden to wear any swimming costume or clothing in the spring. However, it boasts excellent views depending on the time of day: sea views by day, starry skies by night.
-
Yakusugi Land
At Yakusugi Land, there are five trails requiring different amounts of time and effort that showcase a variety of Yakushima cedar trees, from giants to those with unique features. The remarkable shape of the tree in this picture, the Kugurisugi Cedar, is said to have been created from fusing with a smaller fallen tree above it. The trail leads under its roots.
-
Sea turtles
Yakushima is the main egg-laying site for loggerhead sea turtles in the North Pacific. It is possible to go to see the egg-laying green sea turtles. There is a good chance of encountering a sea turtle during a dive in the waters off Yakushima, with a number of tours available. Tours are also held to promote understanding and conservation of the endangered sea turtles.
Check the Activities
How to go and Where to stay
Access
Traveling from major cities around Japan
- From Sapporo
- From Tokyo
- From Nagoya
- From Osaka
- From Fukuoka
-
Shin-Chitose Airport
By air 2 hours 35 minutes
-
Fukuoka Airport
By air 1 hour 10 minutes
-
Yakushima
-
Haneda Airport
By air 1 hour 45 minutes
-
Kagoshima Airport
By air 40 minutes
-
Yakushima
-
Chubu Centrair International Airport
By air 1 hour 15 minutes
-
Kagoshima Airport
By air 40 minutes
-
Yakushima
-
Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport)
By air 1 hour 45 minutes
-
Yakushima
-
Fukuoka Airport
By air 1 hour 10 minutes
-
Yakushima
Accommodations
-
THE HOTEL YAKUSHIMA
Ocean & ForestAn inn near Miyanoura Port, the gateway to Yakushima. Do not miss the highly-rated breakfast buffet.
-
Yakushima Iwasaki Hotel
An impressive entrance graced by a grand Yakusugi cedar object. The spacious rooms, views and delicious food also make an impression.
-
Tashiro Annex
An inn close to Shiratani Unsui Gorge, where you can see the beautiful mountain stream. Convenient as a base for activities.
-
Tennen Onsen to Jomon no Yado Manten
An establishment proud of its natural hot spring. It is a unique place: some of its design is impeccably Japanese, elsewhere it is inspired by the Mongolian yurt.
-
JR Hotel Yakushima
A resort hotel in a great location. The Yakushima natural hot springs overlooking the ocean are popular.
-
sankara hotel & spa YAKUSHIMA
An auberge-type resort hotel offering top-class hospitality to guests within its mission of harmonious co-existence with the island.
-
YAKUSHIMA Minshuku Hotel Shikinoyado
Taste the delicacies of Yakushima against the backdrop of Mt. Mocchomu-dake. Some of the rooms even have their own outdoor hot spring.
-
Yakushima Shared Hostel MINATO
A clean and good value hostel frequented by travelers from the world over. Very helpful tour desk too.