Yakushima ー
屋久島
Primitive Forest:
Yakushima Island is 60 kilometers away to the south of the Osumi Peninsula in the southernmost of Kyushu. Beautiful and rich primitive forests remain on the island, 90% of the island is forest. In particular, rare Yaku Cedars on the island are over 1000 years old, these trees have their own values not only as splendid scenes but also as Natural Heritage site, so 21 % of the surface of the island are designated as the World Heritage site. Considering that it is remote and seeing famous ancient cedars cost time, it is necessary to stay on the island at least for one night.
Access and Getting Around
After all visitors enjoy the stay on the island mainly by walking long hours, so it is important to have a detailed plan in consideration of physical condition and so on. Though there are a few long-hour-walk trails, all trails take time of a few hours, therefore visitors had better prepare completely before starting, or be a member of a tourist team. Buses run among villages and tourist spots, but bus service is still inconvenient. A bus leaves for the entrance of the mountain at an early time in the morning, please pay attention the leaving time of the bus. In addition, Yakushima Island is one of the rare heavy-rain islands, sightseeing in the rainy weather must be considered necessarily. For a short distance, visitors may rent a bicycle at a shop or inn then return it anywhere on the island which is so convenient. Visitors may have a sightseeing by sightseeing bus without walking for a long time. A one-day course and one-and-a-half day course are offered from the ferry terminal Awa Port and Miyanoura Port. Reservations are accepted before 19 o’clock. For rental cars, there are car centers at two seaports and one airport.
By high speed vessels
Kagoshima Port⇔1hour 50minutes～2hours 40minutes(varying depending on the via points)⇔Miyanoura Port, Anpo Port with 5 to 6 round-trip vessels per day.
By ferry
Kagoshima Port⇔4 hours⇔Miyanoura Port with 1 round-trip ferry per day.
By plane
35 minutes from Kagoshima Airport to Yakushima Airport with 5 round-trip planes per day. Others: 1 round-trip plane from Osaka and Fukuoka respectively.
Features
Yakushima Cultural Village Center
-Culture
It is a set of environmental learning facilities where visitors can learnabout the nature of Yakushima though they pay the entrance fees.In the video hall, tourists can watch the dynamic video on the big screen,and attendants narrate with the easily-understandingway about models, real things and panels in the show hall.Necessary information is also offered, tourists may get the informationabout Ya...
-Culture
It is a museum which offers information and display of different kinds of cedars,where visitors learn about the geographical value of Yaku cedars.Though visitors must pay the fee, it is worth seeing....
-Specific Nature
The scientists estimate that the cedar is 3000 to 7000 years old, this 16-meter-trunk old cedar is the symbol of Yakushima.Jomon is the name of the earliest era in Japan’s history, and as the cedar has been growing since the era,it is so named by people with awe. It really makes a dignified divine atmosphere.Tourists have to walk 8 to 10 hours for a round-trip to see the Jomon Cedar,so they must h...
-Mountain View -Outdoor Activities
It takes 5 to 6 hours to have a round-trip trail.Tourists may feel the powerful charm of the rock and mossed primitive forest by walking along the streamin the forest of the Yaku cedars, which is really a highlight trail.Though it is not a difficult trail, it may be a long-walk trail if it is not confirmed.Taikoiwa is a superb view prospect spot of the beauty of mountain areas in Yakushima,and it ...
-Mountain View -Outdoor Activities
Yakesugi Land has 4 courses(30minutes, 50 minutes, 80 minutes, 150 minutes).The 30-minute trail and 50-minute one are light cycling trail,there are recommended to the visitors who want to experience the forest a little.Because a trail is built and the atmosphere of the forest of Yakushima can be enjoyed,these two trails are recommended to those who have no time or lack physical strength.80-minute ...
-Specific Nature -Outdoor Activities
It is a cedar of about 3000 years old. Tourists may take a bus or a car to see the Yaku cedar.This old tree makes the people feel dignity....
-Mountain View -Specific Nature
Seiburindo is a 12-kilometer road in the west of the island where visitors may see different forestsfrom the ones in Yaku cedar and also watch wild animals such as monkeys and deer and so on.Oko Waterfall is not only the biggest waterfall on the Yakushima Island but also in Kyushu with its 88-meter fall.Both the size and the quantity of water are perfect.It is also to reach the basin of waterfall....
-Mountain View -Specific Nature
It falls from the top of a big granite, whose fall is 80 meters.Though it cannot be seen from the distance, it is really a picture of water contrasted to the granite....
-Specific Nature -Outdoor Activities
It is ravine which is in the broadleaf forest of Nagata Village in the northwest of the island.Visitors may drive there and walk for 10 minutesfrom the parking lot.The river flows down from the top of a big granite, floating water is really clear.However, be careful ofthe rise of a river....
Accommodation around Yakushima
