Yakushima Travel Tips

Best of Japan

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1 of 5 in Kagoshima Prefecture

Yakushima (屋久島) is a stunning subtropical island off the southern coast of Kyushu, part of Kagoshima Prefecture. Renowned for its ancient cedar forests, Yakushima is home to the famous yakusugi, trees over 1,000 years old, with some even reaching ages of 7,000 years. Once heavily logged for cedar shingles, these majestic forests have since flourished, becoming a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Visitors flock to Yakushima for its breathtaking hiking trails, allowing them to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the mountainous landscapes.

With nearly 2,000-meter-high peaks, Yakushima experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, earning the playful saying that it rains "35 days a month." While this may be an exaggeration, visitors can expect frequent light showers, especially in the lush mountainous areas. The island's unique climate supports diverse ecosystems, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and hikers. Explore the enchanting trails of Yakushima, where ancient trees whisper stories of time, and every corner reveals the island's captivating beauty.

Getting around

Yakushima is mostly developed around its coast, except for the wild western side where mountains drop straight into the sea. A road circles the island and connects all the main towns. Most hotels, beaches, hot springs, waterfalls, and museums are close to this road. The west coast and roads into the mountains are narrow and winding, but they lead to beautiful cedar forests, hiking trails, and parks near towns like Miyanoura and Anbo.

The best way to get around Yakushima is by rental car, which you can find at Miyanoura Port and the airport. It takes about three hours to drive around the island. Some places, like the Arakawa trailhead (except in winter), are only accessible by shuttle bus. Regular buses run about once an hour around the island but do not go along the west coast. They also go into the mountains, but less often. Bus passes are available (1-day, 3-day, 4-day), but they don’t work for shuttle buses.