Yakushima is an island in Japan with a very humid climate, which helps maintain an ancient forest full of creatures and plants, especially ancient trees.
Located about 60 kilometers south of the southernmost point of Kyushu, Japan, lies a beautiful island that many dream of visiting at least once – named Yakushima. Due to its remote and isolated location, this island retains its untouched beauty.
Here, there is a lush tropical rainforest that is listed among the best-preserved forests in Japan.
The Rainy Island Year-Round
According to Atlas Obscura, Yakushima is nearly perfectly round. It is located about 60 kilometers south of Kyushu – one of Japan’s four main islands – and is a distant and completely isolated island.
Yakushima is one of the wettest places in the world, to the extent that locals say it rains “35 days each month.” This is an exaggerated way to imply that it rains here year-round, with at least one rain shower every day.
The ecosystem here is incredibly diverse, ranging from subtropical lowlands to cool temperate highlands, and even includes snowfall. Therefore, visitors can experience both tropical and temperate climates on this island, which is truly amazing.
A fairytale-like trail.
The combination of these factors gives Yakushima a mystical aura often compared to fictional lands, such as the island where King Kong resides, and has inspired the animated film Princess Mononoke by Japan’s Studio Ghibli.
Ancient Thousand-Year-Old Trees
The winding trails are surrounded by Yakushima cedars (Yaku-sugi), which are famous for their incredible longevity. Most of the ancient trees here are around 1,000 years old, with a few believed to be as old as 7,000 years.
The rolling mountains in the central area of the island.
The locals also utilize exposed tree roots and stones to create steps, making it easier for visitors to navigate the slippery terrain. However, sometimes visitors must crouch down or crawl over some tree trunks that block the path.
Due to the abundant rainfall, the forest floor is covered in mossy rocks, adding to the vibrant green scenery. There is no shortage of the color of life throughout the forest.
This trail is named Shiratani Unsuikyo.
The island’s wildlife is also quite rich, including 16 species of mammals, 150 species of birds, 15 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, and 1,900 species of insects. Considering the modest size of Yakushima, these numbers are quite impressive.
The largest animals found are the Yakushima macaques and the spotted sika deer. These are considered two endemic species of the island. The two species sometimes exhibit a symbiotic relationship. Some visitors have even reported seeing monkeys riding on deer.
The road to Yakushima.
To reach Yakushima, you can enjoy the scenery on a ferry ride that takes about 4 hours from Sakurajima, known for its active volcano that occasionally draws attention when it erupts, covering the city in ash.
The ferry docks at the northern part of the island in the Miyanoura port settlement, where most of Yakushima’s population (about 13,000 people) resides. The remaining population lives scattered along the coastline, mainly supporting tourism, which has replaced the once-thriving logging economy here.
There are many walking trails, some of which cross from one side of the island to the other.
Many office workers in Japan often seek out this island to immerse themselves in nature, shed their worries, and relieve work-related stress by hiking up the mountains.
There are many walking trails, some of which cross from one side of the island to the other. For those who wish to hike overnight, free huts are available along certain segments of the trails.
