Yakushima
屋久島 · Kagoshima
The thousand years of the Jōmon Sugi: meeting 'Princess Mononoke' in a moss forest
Know before you go
- Taboos: underestimating the route's difficulty, still being on the mountain after dark, and littering.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Why it’s popular
Inscribed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 1993, yet because of the hardcore threshold of 'a 10-hour hike to see the Jōmon Sugi', it gets far fewer visitors than Mount Fuji. It was the model for the forest in Hayao Miyazaki's 'Princess Mononoke', and the moss forest of Shiratani Unsuikyō is unreally beautiful.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Yakushima, anciently 'Yaku', already appears in the Nihon Shoki; the island's 'take-mairi' (climbing Miyanoura-dake to pray) is a form of mountain worship; the Jōmon Sugi (said to be 2,000–7,000 years old) was only 'discovered' in 1966; islanders have a saying that 'it rains 35 days a month' — rain is Yakushima's soul.
Local customs
- Keep to designated trails, don't stray or carve anything
- don't climb over the fence at the Jōmon Sugi viewing deck
- rain gear, water and a head torch are essential
- in guide-only areas, hire a licensed guide.
Religion & beliefs
- Mountain worship plus Shinto: Ekyū Shrine is the island's chief guardian
- locals have a custom of praying to the 'mountain god' before climbing. Many regard the Jōmon Sugi itself as a sacred tree — put your palms together in respect and don't touch it.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
Taboos: underestimating the route's difficulty, still being on the mountain after dark, and littering.
Locals appreciate DO
Guides appreciate climbers who 'honestly declare their fitness and follow the guide's judgement'
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Avoid the typhoon season (August–September); April–June and October–November are best |
|---|---|
| Getting there | About 2 hours by high-speed ferry or a flight from Kagoshima |
Travel tips
- Avoid the typhoon season (August–September)
- April–June and October–November are best
- the Jōmon Sugi route takes about 10 hours there and back and needs a pre-dawn start — hire a guide and book accommodation in advance
- access: about 2 hours by high-speed ferry from Kagoshima, or by plane
- Shiratani Unsuikyō (an easy 3–5-hour route) suits most visitors
- renting a car on the island is a must.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Flying fish
- Yakushima tea / tankan orange desserts
- Venison
Flying fish (tobiuo — karaage / sashimi, Yakushima's speciality), Yakushima tea / tankan orange desserts, venison (Yakushima deer gibier, at licensed restaurants), flying-fish hotpot / seafood bowls, shōchū (Mitake, Yakushima's famous spirit)
| Where to eat | Restaurants and izakaya at Miyanoura / Anbō ports, island canteens |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Leave no trace in the World Natural Heritage mountain area; on the Jōmon Sugi route bring a bentō and carry the rubbish back; venison comes from population management — choose licensed restaurants |
| Typical price per person | JPY 2,000–3,500 ≈ CNY 90–158 |
| Tips | Order a hiking bentō the day before from a port supermarket or bentō shop and pick it up early in the morning; flying-fish karaage is eaten crisp, bones and all — be careful. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Grendelkhan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photos
Photos
Σ64 · CC BY 3.0
Σ64 · CC BY 3.0
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Hiroaki Kaneko · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & verification notes
In-depth research on Japanese sights (2026-10-15). Sources: stable public knowledge (no directly verifiable links were kept from this research).
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