Yakushima photo
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Yakushima

Attraction
Prefecture
Kagoshima
Type
Attraction
N/A
1 review
Restaurant Cafe

About This Destination

A UNESCO World Heritage island with ancient cedar forests, said to have inspired Princess Mononoke.
Yakushima became Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, recognized for its ancient cedar forests and unique ecosystem. The island is home to Jomon Sugi, a cedar tree estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,000 years old, reachable via a challenging but rewarding 10-hour round-trip hike. The island's lush moss-covered forests are widely believed to have inspired the setting of Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. Yakushima receives extraordinary rainfall, said to rain 35 days a month, which feeds the island's rivers and waterfalls. Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine offers more accessible forest walks through moss-covered landscapes. The island is accessible by high-speed jetfoil from Kagoshima in about 50 minutes, or by ferry in about two hours.

Location

Prefecture: Kagoshima

Address: Yakushima, Kagoshima, Japan

Nearest Station: Miyanoura Port

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: Island restaurants serve flying fish (tobiuo), local venison, and fresh seafood. Miyanoura town has several small restaurants and a supermarket.

Official Website

Access

Kagoshima, Japan

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Yakushima from mainland Japan?

Two main routes from Kagoshima City: (a) Jetfoil 'Toppy/Rocket' from Kagoshima Port to Miyanoura or Anbo port — 1h50m, ~¥9,500 one-way (~¥17,000 round trip), 5–7 departures daily, frequent cancellations in rough weather; (b) Slower car ferry — 4 hours, ~¥6,500, once daily. By air: 30-min Japan Air Commuter (JAC) prop flight from Kagoshima Airport — ~¥12,000–17,000 one-way, faster but cancels in poor weather more often. Tokyo travellers usually fly to Kagoshima (Haneda or Narita) first. The island also has direct JAL flights from Itami (Osaka) in season.

Is the Jomon Sugi hike realistic for an average visitor?

It's a serious 22 km, 10–11 hour round-trip hike along the abandoned Anbo Forest Railway tracks (mostly flat) then steep wooden boardwalks up to the tree itself. You need to leave by 5 AM (last bus to the Arakawa trailhead leaves Anbo at 4:30 AM) to make the last bus back at 18:00 — bullet ascents only, no overnight permitted on the trail. Reasonable fitness required: people who comfortably walk 6–8 hours on a regular day usually finish; couch potatoes struggle. Trekking boots, rain gear (always rains), 2L water and lunch are essential. Rangers staff bus stops and check gear. Alternative for less fit visitors: the Shiratani Unsuikyo 4-hour loop sees similar moss forest at much lower commitment.

When is the best time to visit Yakushima, and how do I deal with the rain?

There is no truly dry season — Yakushima receives 4,000–10,000 mm of rain per year and locals say it 'rains 35 days a month'. May–June is rainy season with constant rain (still hike-able with gear). July–August is hottest, sticky, with afternoon thunderstorms; trails get crowded. September–October is statistically the best balance of weather, fewer crowds, autumn colours on the upper mountain. November–February: cold and snowy on the peaks (Jomon Sugi trail can close due to snow). Bring a serious rain jacket and trousers, waterproof pack cover, quick-dry layers — never cotton. Expect to hike in rain at least one day of any visit.

🎯 Other Attraction in Kagoshima

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