Yakushima

Welcome to Yakushima, a remote, emerald-green jewel floating off the southern coast of Kyushu. This island is unlike any other place in Japan, defined by a dramatic landscape where mountains rise nearly two thousand meters…

Your journey likely begins at Shiratani Unsuikyō, a lush nature park that serves as the gateway to the island's most magical scenery. This area is famous for its 'Mononoke Forest,' a section of the trail where every boulder and…

The most famous trek on the island is the route to Jomon Sugi, which starts at the Arakawa trail head. This trail is unique because the first few hours are spent walking along an old narrow-gauge railway line once used to…

After hours of climbing through the dense, dripping forest, you finally reach the ultimate destination: Jōmon Sugi. This is the largest and oldest cedar on the island, and arguably in all of Japan. …

Yakushima’s geography is a direct result of its relationship with water, and nowhere is this more spectacular than at its waterfalls. Ōko Falls, located on the island’s western coast, is one of Japan’s top one hundred waterfalls. …

While the mountains are the heart of Yakushima, the coast offers its own unique treasures. Inaka Beach is one of the most important nesting sites in the North Pacific for loggerhead and green sea turtles. …

As you prepare to leave Yakushima, take a moment to reflect on what makes this island so special. It is a place where the modern world feels distant and the power of nature remains absolute. …