This little, round island has an amazingly mountainous interior, but at just 17 miles wide, it is probable to view the majority of the primary sights and get a good taste of island life in only a couple of days. Miyanoura-dake is one of Japan's renowned One Hundred Mountains, and is the nation's most southerly point where snow can be found in winter. Yakushima is best known for the broad and hauntingly excellent forests that cover a large portion of the island, home to Japanese cedar trees some of which are thousands of years old. Strolling through these moody, temperate rain forests, full with fable like trees with twisted greenery secured roots, it is nothing unexpected to discover that the island was the inspiration for acclaimed Studio Ghibli animation Princess Mononoke, coordinated by Hayao Miyazaki.
The intensely wet atmosphere implies clear rivers tumble down from the high crests, bringing about astounding waterfalls, which carve their way through the rock bedrock. Rich green, thick foliage gives the ideal home to the Yakushima macaque and the Yaku deer, both of which are smaller than their mainland partners however less fearful, so can undoubtedly be spotted foraging near roadsides and along trekking trails.
In the mid-year months, endangered loggerhead turtles create their homes on Yakushima's shorelines, while tropical fish and corals can be found in the shallow and warm coastal waters. Geothermal hot springs are all over the place, as they are in the vast majority of Japan, and a percentage of the island's best are right on the shoreline.
The two major points of section are the tiny port towns of Miyanoura and Anbo, where every day ships from Kagoshima put in. Make sure to bring a lot of money from the mainland as ATMs are practically non-existent and few spots acknowledge cards. Street loops around the whole island, despite the fact that the western stretch is excessively narrow and remote for the bus service, so a rental car is the most ideal way to get around.
Japan Outdoor activities are high on the plan for most guests to Yakushima, and the steep mountains and unspoiled forests pull in explorers from all over Japan, with trails to suit all abilities. Yakusugi Land, a nature park which is home to numerous old cedars and has various simple treks which manage the cost of close-up views of these relics.
During summer, loggerhead turtles come back to the spot they were born nearly 30 years before to lay eggs on the shoreline. For night-time turtle viewing with a guide, reserve a spot at the ocean turtle gallery.
There are uncommonly great snorkeling and ocean kayaking spots all around the island. As the rainiest place in Japan, waterfalls are pervasive and the most breathtaking is the west coast's 88m-high Ooko-no-taki, only a short walk from the main street.
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