Cedar trees thousands of years old stand wrapped in moss on this round, mountainous island south of Kyushu. Jomon Sugi, the oldest, has lived for millennia. The forests inspired Princess Mononoke. Waterfalls, sea turtles, and more rain than almost anywhere in Japan.
What Yakushima is known for
Top-rated in Yakushima
Shiratani Unsuikyo
4.7nature
Primeval moss forest that inspired Princess Mononoke, with 3,000-year-old cedar trees on Yakushima.
Oko Falls
4.7nature
88-meter waterfall on Yakushima cascading in two streams to an emerald plunge pool, a must-visit natural site.
Yakushima Island
4.7nature
Lush island featuring ancient Japanese cedar trees and magical, moss-covered forests.
Yakushima Botanical Research Park
4.8garden
Fruits, herbs, and plants from all over the world are grown in the Yakushima Botanical Research Park.
Yakushima Densho Gura Shochu Distillery
4.7nature
Shochu is distilled liquor especially popular in Kyushu.
Amami Broadleaf Forest
4.5landmark
This is a tree common to mountain forests of the Ryukyu archipelago and other southern islands of Japan.
Jomon Sugi
4.6landmark
Yakushima's oldest and largest cypress tree, estimated between 2,500 and 7,000 years old, reached by mountain trek.
Yoggo Valley
4.6nature
A small path behind the village of Nagata leads to the serene Yoggo Valley.