I have visited Yakushima and it was fantastic. Here’s what you should know before visiting Yakushima.
Basic Information
Yakushima, where?– Yakushima is the island in the southern part of Japan, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu region. To get to Yakushima, you have to take flights or ferries or hydrofoils from Kagoshima, so I will talk about both Yakushima and Kagoshima; it could be a great idea to walk around in the city of Kagoshima before visiting Yakushima. (Although if you’re from other Japanese city such as Fukuoka or Osaka, there might be a direct flight to Yakushima, please check!)
Population? – Kagoshima prefecture has the population of approximately 1.6 million, while Yakushima has the population of approximately 13,000 as of 2015; both numbers are decreasing every year, just like many other rural areas in Japan, according to the official site of Kagoshima Prefecture.
What is it famous for? – Kagoshima has one of the most active volcanoes in Japan called Sakurajima, and thus there are many hot springs, famous one called Ibusuki Onsen (Onsen means hot spring). Its famous local food is black pork (Kurobuta).
History? – For the historical aspects, Kagoshima Prefecture is famous for “Satsuma Domain”. During Edo period (1603-1868), there was “Satsuma” Domain (“Satsuma-Han” in Japanese) ruling the province of Kagoshima prefecture and the part of Miyazaki prefecture. This Satsuma Domain played a significant role in the end of Edo period (1853 to 1867) and it is especially famous for producing Saigo Takamori, who was one of the most respected Samurai among Japanese people. (If you have visited Japan before, you might have seen him already; there are three statues of Saigo Takamori in Japan, with the most famous one at the Ueno Park, Tokyo.)
Temperature? – In Yakushima, the average annual temperature is 19.4℃, the lowest average temperature of 11.6℃ in January and with the highest of 27.2℃ in August, according to the Meteorological Agency.
Weather? – It is often said, “in Yakushima it rains eight days a week”, pointing out how often it rains in Yakushima. So it is better to prepare for the rain before coming to Yakushima!
Forests of Princess Mononoke– Yakushima has a huge cedar tree called Jomonsugi and it was amazing, so sacred. It is famous that the Studio Ghibli animation “Princess Mononoke” is inspired by the forests of Yakushima. However, I heard that as the film became famous, too many people came to see the forests and thus the nature was destroyed. I was so moved by the nature and I thought we definitely have to protect the nature of Yakushima as it is now. So please, please! respect the nature, animals, people, all the lives there when you visit.
Here’s How It Looks Like
Going to Yakushima
I visited Yakushima in spring, April, and it became one of my favourite places. To get there, I decided to take hydrofoil called Tane Yaku Jetfoil from Kagoshima. (You can book the ticket on Directferries or so. I booked my ticket on Japanese website.)
It took around 2 hours from Kagoshima to Yakushima, Miyanoura port. (There was another port in Yakushima called Anbo port, so you can choose the port closer to the place you are staying.) Then I rented a car at the port; it’d be a great idea to rent a car as there are not many public transports.
How many days needed in Yakushima?
To see Jomonsugi, you need a whole day as it takes about 8 to 10 hours of hiking at least. So it means it’s better to have at least three days in Yakushima (going to Yakushima on the first day, hiking on the second day, going back on the third day.) For me, I spent three days and two nights in Yakushima and it was nice. But I couldn’t go to the sea, so if you want to visit the sea then you might need more time to stay. Next time if I could visit there in summer, then I want to go diving or snorkeling!
When I visited there..
The weather was perfect for the first two days, nice and warm, I went out with my t-shirts on. However in the mountains it was much colder, you’d definitely need a jacket. On the third day, my last day in Yakushima, it rained A LOT. It was really windy as well so I wondered if the hydrofoil would take us back to Kagoshima on time safely. Luckily, the rain and wind stopped and the hydrofoil left for Kagoshima on time.
About Jomonsugi (giant ceder tree)
If you like hiking, then you’d like Yakushima, I am sure about it. My legs hurt so much after 9 hours of hiking, but it was worth it, Jomonsugi (giant ceder tree) was amazing!
Firstly my friend and I had to go to the Arakawa Trailhead (Arakawa Tozanguchi), as trail starts there. To get there I thought I could just drive a car, but no, the area is restricted! So we decided to catch the bus from Yakusugi Museum. (Yakushugi shizenkan). (Don’t forget to check bus timetable the day before!)
We left the hostel very early in the morning, bought the lunch box at the shop opens at 5:00am or so, and headed for the bus stop, Yakusugi Museum. Once arrived, we bought bus tickets there and got on to the bus – it took about 30 mins to the Arakawa Trailhead (Arakawa Tozanguchi).
At about 6:15am, we started at Arakawa Trailhead. At first it was just a flat and nice road ahead, so my friend and I were like, “it’s nice and easy!”. The view was fantastic, with the trees swaying, river flowing and birds singing gently.
But then after about 2 hours of walking (I think), the train tracks ended and it became harder, more like “climbing” the mountain, not walking. Don’t worry though, there were many people in their fifties (even some people might be in their sixties) climbing, and I heard some people saying “it is not that hard”, but it takes a LONG time and that is the problem right there! (as I told you, average of 8-10 hours.) So it is important to put the right shoes on, with the mountain clothes (and a raincoat) and the backpack carrying your lunch box and drinks.
It would be a great idea to go with the nature guide, I saw many people were climbing with their guide. I was with my friend so I didn’t go with a guide but if you were alone, it would be a good idea to climb with a guide. It is safer and they will explain many things to you about the trees, birds, etc.
Have a nice day!
Yakushima was definitely worth visiting, I hope you enjoy your trip here in Japan! Enjoy!
Thank you for reading, ありがとうございました。
