Yakushima is Japan at its most primeval — a round, mountainous island off the southern tip of Kyushu where ancient cedar forests shrouded in mist give way to dramatic rocky coastlines and secluded beaches. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, this island is a living testament to the raw beauty of nature.
Ancient Forests Meet the Sea
The island's interior is covered in dense forest featuring yakusugi — ancient Japanese cedar trees, some over 3,000 years old. The most famous, Jomon Sugi, is estimated to be between 2,170 and 7,200 years old. Hiking trails wind through moss-covered rocks, past cascading waterfalls, and through ethereal groves that inspired the Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke.
Nagata Inakahama – Sea Turtle Beach
Yakushima's Nagata Inakahama beach is one of Japan's most important sea turtle nesting sites. Every summer, loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the wide sandy beach. Guided night tours allow visitors to witness this incredible natural event. The beach itself is a long, wild stretch of sand backed by dense forest — untouched and beautifully raw.
Oko-no-taki and Coastal Waterfalls
The island receives extraordinary rainfall — Yakushima is said to have "35 days of rain per month." This creates spectacular waterfalls that cascade directly into the ocean. Oko-no-taki, an 88-meter waterfall, is the island's tallest and most dramatic, surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation.
Hot Springs with Ocean Views
Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen is a natural hot spring that appears only at low tide, right on the rocky shore. Bathers soak in warm mineral water while waves lap at the edges of the natural rock pools — a raw, unforgettable onsen experience unique to Yakushima.
"Yakushima reminds you that the earth has been here far longer than we have — and its beauty is deeper than words can capture."← Back to Blog