Yakushima

Covered in the thick primeval rainforest that inspired Miyazaki's animated masterpiece Princess Mononoke, Yakushima is home to thousand-year-old cedar trees, beautiful beaches, spectacular waterfalls and beachside onsen - not to mention an incredible array of wildlife, from deer to monkeys. You could not imagine a better location for hiking, exploring, diving, kayaking - or any other outdoors activity, for that matter.

“Yakushima is often referred to as the �Alps of the Sea', and as you approach by plane or by boat it is easy to see why. The island's vertiginous peaks, ancient forests and amazing diversity of flora and fauna make an incredible counterpoint to Japan's more famous cities.”

James Mundy, PR Manager

Residents of Yakushima say that it rains for 35 days a month - which is part of the reason the island is so famously lush! Another contributing factor is the sheer range of habitats Yakushima supports, from subtropical conditions around the coastline to almost subarctic temperatures at its highest altitudes. As a result of these sharply contrasting conditions, Yakushima plays host to a diversity of wildlife unrivalled by anywhere else in Japan.

Of great significance to Yakushima's forests is the presence of Japanese yaku cedars, which can live for thousands of years. Those which are over 1,000 years old are termed yakusugi, whilst younger trees are known as kosugi. The oldest tree on the island, Jomon Sugi, is thought to be as old as 7,000 years, which (if true) would make it the oldest tree in the world.

Before the 1600s, trees on Yakushima were only cut down when they were needed for building and firewood, and the yakusugi were held as sacred by the islanders. During the Edo period (1603 - 1867), however, a Yakushima monk named Tomari Jochiku who wanted to relieve the poverty of his home island persuaded the residents to begin logging the forests. This practice continued for almost four-hundred years. Throughout this time yakusugi were used for shipbuilding and architecture, but most of them became roof tiles known as hiragi, which were paid to the Satsuma clan in exchange for rice and other supplies.

After the Meiji Restoration, islanders were restricted from cutting trees. Although this was good news for the preservation of ancient woodland, it spelled destitution for the residents of Yakushima, who lost their principal source of income in one fell swoop. In 1921, a "forest management" plan was introduced to the island which nationalised certain areas of the forest and partially restored the timber industry. This meant that residents could once again use the trees for local profit and firewood, but important swathes of woodland remained protected. Today the forests have recovered well from past logging and are a national park.

The fauna of Yakushima is as diverse as its flora, and it is home to 16 mammal species - of which four are endemic to the island. These include the famous yakuzaru monkey and the yakushika deer, which together outnumber the human population! Lucky visitors during the summer months may also witness the hatching of thousands of baby turtles on the island's beaches, as it is a spawning ground for migratory loggerhead turtles.

As you follow hiking trails through primeval forests, soak in beachside hot springs, enjoy the warm hospitality of the local inns, admire powerful waterfalls and spot fascinating wildlife, you can hardly fail to be bewitched by the atmosphere of Yakushima as many others have before you. To get you in the mood for your visit, we highly recommend watching Hayao Miyazaki's animated masterpiece, Princess Mononoke, which was inspired by the director's memories of the island.

Recommended Accommodation in Yakushima

The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Yakushima.

Yakushima

Yakushima JR Hotel

Superior
Yakushima

Sankara Hotel & Spa

Deluxe
Yakushima

Shiki no Yado Onoaida

Moderate

Experiences in Yakushima

Yakushima offers a wealth of exciting experiences that will help you get beneath the surface of Japan's fascinating culture. See below for a few of our favourites

Weather in Yakushima

The Climate Guide for Yakushima, Japan is perfect for planning your holiday. Monthly weather averages give the best indication of what the weather is usually like for every month of the year including figures for temperature, rainfall and sunshine.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Max Daytime Temperature (°C)	9	10	13	17	20	23	26	26	24	20	16	12
Min Night-time Temperature (°C)	2	2	5	9	13	17	20	20	18	13	8	4
Hours of Sunshine (Daily)	3	3	4	5	5	4	7	7	5	5	4	3
Hours of Daylight (Daily)	10	11	12	13	14	14	14	13	12	11	11	10
Heat and Humidity Discomfort	None	None	None	None	None	None	Moderate	Moderate	Low	None	None	None
Days with some Rainfall	18	18	20	19	20	22	23	23	21	17	16	17
Monthly Rainfall (mm)	102	106	167	192	236	437	355	281	259	154	89	77
UV Index (Maximum)	4	6	8	10	11	11	11	11	9	7	5	4

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Featured trips including Yakushima

Self-Guided Adventure

Kyushu Adventure (Classic)
- Nagasaki
- Kagoshima
- Yakushima
- Kirishima National Park
- Kumamoto
- Kurokawa Onsen
- Fukuoka
If you're an adventurous traveller who wants to discover a side of Japan rarely seen by outsiders, this itinerary could be the one for you.

13 nights: from US$3551 pp (twin share) Read more >

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Self-Guided Adventure

Kyushu Adventure (Superior)
- Nagasaki
- Kagoshima
- Yakushima
- Kirishima National Park
- Kumamoto
- Kurokawa Onsen
- Fukuoka
Discover the impressive landscapes and vibrant cities of Kyushu on this journey from the forests of Yakushima to Kurokawa Onsen's hot springs

13 nights: from US$6596 pp (twin share) Read more >

View more Self-Guided Adventures