Yakushima Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Yakushima is an island about half-way between Kyushu and Okinawa in Japan. Officially a part of Kagoshima Prefecture, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Though not too well-known outside Japan, Yakushima is a popular destination for Japanese tourists, hence the infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, transportation) is good.
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Understand
Yakushima is a small volcanic island that rises nearly 2000m above sea level. The island is one of the most rain-soaked places in Japan, with measurable precipitation 50% of the days of the year. Due to its isolation, steep terrain and exceptional climate Yakushima is one of Japan's natural wonders. The yakusugi cedar trees on the island are thousands of years old. The largest, called the Jomon sugi is estimated to be over 7,000 years old.
The pristine yakusugi forests were an inspiration for acclaimed animator Hayao Miyazaki's 1997 epic Princess Mononoke.
Get in
There is a (charmingly small) airport with direct flights to/from Kagoshima.
There are also ferry connections to Kagoshima and Shimama. The "Toppy" ferry from Kagoshima arrives at either Myanoura port or Anbo port. Be sure to book accomodations accordingly.
Get around
There is a reasonably good network of bus connections.
See
Yakusugiland in the interior of the island where the above mentioned cedars are to be seen. On the road to Yakusugiland you can frequently see monkeys and deer on the roadside.
The rocky coastline is very beautiful.
At Nagatamaehama Beach giant turtles are laying their eggs directly at the beach.
The Forest Shiratani Unsuikyo is also famous. It can be reached by bus from Myanoura (about 40 minutes). Admission is 300 yen, to cover maintenance. Walking sticks, maps, and suggested routes based on your time constraints are provided at the trail head. There are two main hiking options: a 3 hour route through an awe inspiring forest with a half dozen or so yaku sugi (over 1000 years old) and more moss than you can shake a stick at; and a 30 minute there-and-back hike to Yayoisugi, a tree estimated to be about 3000 years old. The longer hiking route includes a stop at Mononokenohime forest, apparently the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's anime film "Princess Mononoke." The long route also has a section of granite steps fashioned 300-400 years ago by women and children who used the trail to carry yakusugi lumber. Though no equipment is necessary to make the hike, a pair of waterproof shoes (ie rain galoshes) make things a lot nicer.
Do
Backpack and scuba.
Eat
One can eat flying fishes. (Well, they are flying over the sea (for short time) while they are alive; they won't fly away from your plate.) Yakushima is also famous for it's tankan oranges.
Drink
The local Shochu is worth sampling.
Stay safe
Some snakes. The coastline is beautiful, but rough; bathing in the wrong place might be dangerous.
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