Introducing activities to enjoy Yakushima Island to the fullest! How to get there and weather conditions are also explained.

Activities in Yakushima

A very famous activity on Yakushima is trekking to the Jomon Cedars, which are over several thousand years old.

A fantastic and power spot, Yakushima offers a variety of trekking courses for beginners and advanced hikers.

Trek through the wonderful deep forest that was the model site for the Ghibli film Princess Mononoke.

In addition, Yakushima has plenty of nature, including ocean, mountains, and rivers, and offers many activities other than trekking.

You can snorkel and experience diving to see the beautiful ocean scenery, and you can also try river kayaking and sea kayaking.

 

What kind of island is Yakushima?

Yakushima, a remote island in Kagoshima Prefecture, was the first island in Japan to be registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 1993.

The area's pristine natural beauty, including ancient forests, thousands of year-old Jomon cedars, and unique ecosystems, is so great that the 1800-meter-high mountain range has been called the "Alps of the Sea.

The dynamic nature of Yakushima continues to fascinate many people.

Yakushima is a very popular tourist destination where visitors can enjoy magnificent forests, mountains, oceans, and rivers.

Therefore, if you visit Yakushima, your trip will be full of moving experiences.

 

How to get to Yakushima

There are several ways to get to Yakushima, including by plane from Kagoshima Airport and by high-speed ferry from Kagoshima Port, making it difficult to decide which method is more convenient.

For those who have a shorter stay on Yakushima, we recommend accessing the island by air.

The flight time from Kagoshima Airport to Yakushima Airport is about 40 minutes after transferring from Kagoshima Airport.

Fly from Haneda or Narita Airport to Kagoshima Airport and transfer to a domestic flight to Yakushima.

From Haneda and Narita airports, it takes about 2 hours to get to Kagoshima Airport.

There is also a direct flight from Osaka Itami Airport to Yakushima, which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

In addition, there are direct flights to Yakushima Island from Fukuoka Airport, which is only 70 minutes away.

The only way to get there other than by plane is to take the "High Speed Boat Toppy" or "High Speed Boat Rocket" from Kagoshima Port, which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

High-speed boats operate seven times a day between Yakushima and Kagoshima Port.

From Kagoshima Airport, it takes less than one hour to reach the Toppy Rocket high-speed boat terminal.

 

Weather in Yakushima

Yakushima is known as a remote island with a lot of rainfall.

It is said that it rains 35 days out of a month.

It rains three times as much as Tokyo throughout the year, so be sure to bring rain gear when you visit.

Of all the rainfalls, typhoons are the most worrisome.

The probability of typhoons approaching Yakushima is high from May to October, with a very high chance of landfall in August and September.

Visitors to Yakushima during the summer season should check the weather forecast frequently.

Also, the sun is very strong on Yakushima in summer, so sunscreen protection is essential.

Yakushima Island has a topography with large differences in elevation, and there is a large difference in temperature between the mountains and the countryside, with the temperature dropping as one climbs higher in the mountains.

Be prepared with warm clothing for the season and for rain protection.

 

List of Activities in Yakushima

Surrounded by forests, mountains, oceans, and rivers, Yakushima offers a wide variety of activities.

Yakushima is famous for trekking, but you can also enjoy marine activities in the clear emerald green rivers and beautiful ocean with many coral reefs and tropical fish.

Let's take a look at what activities are available.

 

trekking tour

Yakushima is famous for its Jomon cedars, and trekking tours through the ancient forest "Shiratani Unsui Gorge," which was the inspiration for the Ghibli movie "Princess Mononoke," are very popular.

There are several trekking tours, ranging from beginner to advanced courses.

You can decide which route to walk according to the number of days you stay.

For example, "Yakusugiland," which is designated as a natural recreation forest, has four courses, all suitable for beginners and children.

The Jomon Cedar Course, which takes more than 8 hours and is suitable for advanced climbers, is full of highlights, including Yakusugi cedars that are more than 2,000 years old, Wilson's stumps, and husband-and-wife cedars.

The popular Shiratani-unsui Gorge will make you feel as if you have entered the world of Ghibli.

 

SUP Tour

SUP tours are one of the most popular activities that can be enjoyed on the beautiful rivers of Yakushima.

SUP, short for stand-up paddleboard, is very popular with both children and adults!

Paddle freely and explore the great outdoors as you wish.

On the tour, you can enjoy SUP in the Kurio, Miyanoura, and Awa Rivers.

Yakushima also offers SUP tours combined with snorkeling, allowing visitors to enjoy a walk on the water while viewing coral reefs and schools of tropical fish.

You can stand on the board and paddle forward or sit back and relax, so you can find your own way to enjoy yourself.

How about experiencing the popular SUP in Yakushima?

 

Canoe Tour

Canoeing, a standard activity, can also be enjoyed on Yakushima.

Would you like to explore the deep green forest by river canoe?

Canoeing on the clear, clean river will refresh your mind and body.

In Yakushima, canoe tours are offered on the Kurio, Awa, and Miyanoura Rivers.

You can also canoe in the ocean, so enjoy the nature of Yakushima to the fullest.

 

Snorkeling Tour

Snorkeling is a marine activity that can be easily enjoyed.

You can enjoy a world of spectacular scenery when you join a snorkeling tour in the beautiful waters of Yakushima.

Even if you are not a good swimmer, you can swim smoothly by wearing fins.

Even if you don't dive into the sea, you can see many coral reefs and fish just by putting your face on the reef, which is sure to impress you.

On Yakushima Island, where there is a high probability of encountering sea turtles, you may be able to swim with them by snorkeling.

 

Diving Tours

Yakushima is also a very popular diving spot.

The Kuroshio Current brings a wide variety of fish from the surrounding seas, so much so that it is called a treasure trove of fish.

Furthermore, Yakushima is famous as one of Japan's leading spawning grounds for sea turtles.

This makes it possible to swim in beautiful coral reefs with tropical fish, large fish, and of course, sea turtles.

Beginners are encouraged to participate in experience diving, which does not require a license.

For licensed divers, enjoy fun diving and night diving to the fullest.

Diving tours can be experienced throughout the year, and the beautiful marine world is sure to enchant you.

 

Shower trekking (river climbing) tours

Shower trekking (river climbing), which is very popular on Yakushima, allows you to experience the beautiful emerald green river and nature firsthand.

During the trek, you will be hit by waterfalls, swim, and jump into the river from high places for a thrilling and enjoyable experience.

Shower trekking is a must-do activity on Yakushima, an island rich in water.

 

Points to keep in mind when participating in Yakushima activities

If you want to experience trekking and various other activities in the popular tourist destination of Yakushima, join a guided tour.

You can learn more deeply about Yakushima.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when taking a tour.

Here we will give you some tips on what to watch out for in your activities.

 

Please make your reservation as soon as possible!

Yakushima is a popular destination for domestic travel, so it is possible that activities will be fully booked.

Therefore, we recommend that you also make reservations for guided trekking tours and marine activities as soon as you book your flight or ferry.

Book early, especially if you are planning a trip during spring break, Golden Week, or summer vacation.

 

Sunlight is strong!

Because Yakushima is at a lower latitude than the Kagoshima mainland, the island is characterized by very strong sunlight.

The sun is especially strong during the summer months, so we recommend that you wear sunscreen, a hat, and long sleeves to participate in activities.

Also, bring long sleeves to protect against insects.

 

Cherish nature!

Yakushima Island is registered as a World Natural Heritage site, and we should be aware of the importance of preserving the environment, including its beautiful nature, moss, and endemic species.

Please follow the minimum rules, such as taking home your own garbage, and not washing containers for lunch boxes, kitchen utensils, etc. in the river.

Also, never feed the yak deer and yak monkeys that you encounter during your trek.

Furthermore, please note that collecting plants and animals and climbing on moss is also prohibited.

 

summary

We have introduced various popular activities including trekking in Yakushima.

Many people would love to visit Yakushima at least once.

However, when traveling, be sure to observe rules and manners to protect the beautiful nature.

Yakushima, where you can feel the power of the island, offers a fascinating sightseeing experience.

Make your trip a relaxing one by experiencing the negative ions in the ancient nature.