More than 20% of Yakushima Island is registered as a World Natural Heritage site. The 7200 year-old Jomon cedars are worth seeing, but be sure to pack the proper equipment, as you will have to climb a hard trail to reach them.
After a day of hiking, a hot spring bath is recommended to relieve fatigue. The Hirauchi Kainaka Onsen, which gushes out of the sea, is a rare seaside hot spring where visitors can bathe only for about two hours twice a day, around low tide. There are no changing rooms, and you can experience the wild experience of changing in the shade of a rock. After bathing, enjoy the local cuisine that uses plenty of island fish from Yaku and other islands.
Yakushima has its own unique ecosystem, and a rich natural landscape, flora, and fauna can be observed.The entire island is a mountain called Yaedake. It is also known as the Western Alps. It is registered as a World Natural Heritage site. It is famous for the Yakusugi cedars included in the World ...»
Shiratani Unsui Gorge is located in the northern part of Yakushima and is a valley of the Shiratani River, a tributary of the Miyanoura River.The area is covered with huge rocks such as drum-shaped rocks formed by erosion of granite due to abundant rainfall, and is covered with virgin forest. The p...»
This is the name given to one of the largest native Yakusugi cedar trees on Yakushima Island. This ancient tree is a representative of Yakushima and is included in the World Heritage Site of Yakushima. There used to be other similar giant trees, but they were cut down by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi ...»
Wilson's stump is a stump of Yakushima's Yakusugi cedar said to have been cut down about 400 years ago during the Shimazu domain period. Inside the stump is a large hollow where a clear spring gushes out and forms a small stream. Three small cedars are growing at the base of the stump, a phenomenon...»
The Yakusugi Nature Center exhibits a variety of exhibits about the unique plants and natural vegetation of Yakushima Island and the history of people's lives, including the Yakusugi cedars....»