Things to do in Yakushima
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Top 10 attractions in Yakushima
Yakushima Island
Yakushima is listed as a World Natural Heritage by Japan. Headed by Mt. Miyanoura at 1,936 meters above sea level on Kyushu Island, there are more than 40 mountains over 1,000 meters above sea level on Kyushu Island, also known as the "Sea Alps". Not only wild deer and monkeys can be seen in the nature that has been preserved in its original state, but also the very famous Jomon cedar tree, which is said to be 7,200 years old. In addition, at an altitude of 600 to 1,050 meters above sea level, Shiratani Unshui Gorge, a natural recreation forest, can see virgin forests such as Yakusugi, and it is also a famous filming location for Hayao Miyazaki's animation film "Princess Mononoke".Yakushima · 15 km from downtown
Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine
Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravineis the forest where Princess Mononoke lived in Hayao Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke," making it a fantastic destination for hiking.Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravineis a ravine along the Shiratani River, a tributary of the Miyanoura River in the northern part of Yakushima Island. With its abundant rainfall, it is covered in dense primeval forests. It features three main hiking trails: Yayoisugi, Bugyosugi, and Taikoiwa Rock, which you can choose based on your preferences.Yakushima · 8.9 km from downtown
Yakusugi Land
This island is one of the rainier places in Japan, with abundant forest resources and many ancient cedar trees.Yakushima · 11.5 km from downtown
Ohko Falls
Ohko Falls is one of the largest waterfalls on Yakushima Island in terms of volume and scale, and it has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. Visitors can walk to the basin of the waterfall and feel the refreshing coolness.Yakushima · 25.5 km from downtown
Jomonsugi Cedar
Yakushima · 13 km from downtown
Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen (Hot Spring in the ocean)
Located in the southern part of Yakushima Island, the Hirayuchi Sea Onsen has a direct view of the Pacific Ocean and is a hot spring gushing from the coast of Hirayuchi. At high tide it is submerged in the sea, and at low tide it becomes a sky bath. The high temperature of the hot spring is 48 degrees, and it is a precious spring water gushing from the sea, twice a day, and you can take a bath for about 2 hours before and after the low tide. Bathing here, you can watch the sea during the day, and listen to the sound of the tide at night and watch the starry sky, which is very enjoyable.Yakushima · 23.5 km from downtown
Yakusugi Museum
Yakusugi Nature Museum is located in Yakushima, Japan. The history of Yaku cedar and its harvesting, the relationship between Yaku cedar and people, buried wood and handicrafts are introduced in detail through models and graphic boards. The Yakusugi Nature Museum faces the sea and stands in a green forest. It is a building with a unique Yakusugi-style exterior. Here we introduce all the information about Yakushima and Yakusu cedar trees, focusing on the huge 1660-year-old Yakusu cedar tree, as well as many interesting exhibits.Yakushima · 7.6 km from downtown
Nagata Inakahama Beach
Nagata Inakahama Beach is located in the Nagata area of northwestern Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the natural beaches on Yakushima Island and one of Japan's important sea turtle nesting grounds. It is approx. 1 km long and is famous for its white, fine granite sand, clear blue water, and serene, beautiful natural environment. It is listed on the Ramsar Convention's List of Wetlands of International Importance and is also an important ecological area of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site of Yakushima Island, holding extremely high ecological conservation value. The highlight here is the sight of large numbers of loggerhead sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs from May to July each year. During the breeding season, hundreds of sea turtles come onto the beach at night to nest and lay eggs. To protect the wildlife, visitors are usually required to visit during limited nighttime hours under the guidance of local conservation organization staff and must strictly follow rules such as not using flash photography and not touching the sea turtles. During the day, visitors can stroll along the coast, enjoy the magnificent scenery of the waves, reefs, and the distant East China Sea, and experience the charm of Yakushima Island's pristine nature.Yakushima · 22.7 km from downtown
Wilson's Stump
Wilson's Stump is one of the attractions on Yakushima Island. It is a huge, heart-shaped tree stump where you can hear the babbling stream and feel the forest's atmosphere.Yakushima · 12 km from downtown
Kigensugi Cedar
Kigensugi Cedar is an ancient, towering tree,with a wooden walkway around this cedar for visitors to use,and the fir tree next to it is also great.Yakushima · 13.9 km from downtown
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Yakushima weather for the next 2 days10/30: 21-27℃, 10/31: 18-25℃
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What travelers say about Yakushima
随我一起去旅行November 4, 2025
5.0
The island exhibits a vertical climate range from subtropical to frigid from its coastline to its mountaintop, offering diverse ecosystems including coral reefs, ancient cedar trees, and alpine plants. Mount Miyanoura, known as the "Alps of the Sea," highly encapsulates the climate types found throughout Japan.
Iconspicuous attractions on the island include Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge (a filming location for *Princess Mononoke*) and Chihiro Falls, which require hiking to explore. Rain is frequent, so rain gear is recommended. Wild deer and monkeys can be seen in the forests, creating a breathtaking, ancient atmosphere.
The island receives abundant rainfall, fostering a rich variety of mosses and vegetation, forming a unique ecosystem.
Activities include forest bathing, wildlife observation (such as deer and monkeys), and enjoying the geothermal resources of the Hiranai Onsen (hot springs).
Yakushima Island
jkidd28July 9, 2022
5.0
Shiratani Unshui Gorge is a lush and green forest park!
There are many cedars growing here, which are very old and of many types!
You can visit this place by walking. The plank road built in the Edo period is still in use today!
Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine
maca_klSeptember 14, 2023
5.0
A waterfall with a drop of 88m! You can see it up close, so you can feel the splashes of water. When there is a lot of water, it seems to flow in two (?) streams, as shown in the third photo! We were the only ones there because we visited early in the morning, so we were able to take our time to look around.
Ohko Falls
旅好きひろNovember 29, 2025
5.0
From March to November, park your car at the Yakushima Nature Museum and take a bus to the trailhead!
I went in early November, and it was pitch black at the start of the climb, so a headlamp was essential.
The trolley road was long 😆
But the scenery was beautiful and relaxing.
The climb up to Jomon Cedar was tough, but I managed to make it.
The round trip took about 10 hours.
It was tough, but I returned refreshed. 😊
Jomonsugi Cedar
Yeliq111March 19, 2020
5.0
Today I want to introduce to you a hot spring that may be the most magical in the world, the Hiranai Umi Onsen on Yakushima Island. It is a sea when the tide is high, and the hot spring is exposed only after the tide goes out. This is a real natural hot spring.
Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen (Hot Spring in the ocean)
saku-sakuNovember 1, 2023
4.0
A famous stump on the way to Jomon Sugi trekking.
It looks like a heart, but it's a bit difficult to find the right angle (lol)
Wilson's Stump
