Visit Yakushima to touch the roots of the world
Wild and mysterious, the secluded island of Yakushima is unlike anything else in Japan. It’s a nature lover’s paradise of untouched ancient cedar forests, protected by both the gods of folklore and a UNESCO World Heritage designation.
The island is ringed by small villages and a single main road that connects them, but the mountainous, wooded interior remains undeveloped, providing a plethora of hiking adventures. There are various well-marked hiking trails, ranging from 1 to 5 hours in length, which pass a number of yakusugi trees.
Though the otherworldly cedar forests are Yakushima’s claim to fame, don’t overlook the island’s other unique treasures. The bountiful rainfall creates impressive waterfalls, one of which can be approached by kayak. Go snorkeling off the unspoiled beaches, or watch sea turtles nest in the summer. The island is home to some simple, rustic onsen, including the sea baths of Hirauchi and Yudomari, which offer natural rock pools right on the edge of the ocean.
The island is ringed by small villages and a single main road that connects them, but the mountainous, wooded interior remains undeveloped, providing a plethora of hiking adventures. There are various well-marked hiking trails, ranging from 1 to 5 hours in length, which pass a number of yakusugi trees.
Though the otherworldly cedar forests are Yakushima’s claim to fame, don’t overlook the island’s other unique treasures. The bountiful rainfall creates impressive waterfalls, one of which can be approached by kayak. Go snorkeling off the unspoiled beaches, or watch sea turtles nest in the summer. The island is home to some simple, rustic onsen, including the sea baths of Hirauchi and Yudomari, which offer natural rock pools right on the edge of the ocean.
