Yakushima, Japan

Yakushima, one of the Ōsumi Islands, is located to the south of Kyūshū in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The Vincennes Strait (Yakushima Kaikyō) separates it from Tanegashima. The highest point on the island is Miyanoura-dake at 1,935 metres (6,360 ft). Ninety percent of the island is covered in forest and there are over forty mountains. There are several small settlements on the island; the largest is Miyanoura in the north followed by Anbo in the east.

Yakushima Island became Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. It is covered in dense forest noted especially for old growth Cryptomeria trees known as Sugi in Japan and magnificent Rhododendrons. Yakushima is Japan's wettest place, and precipitation in Yakushima is one of the world's highest at 4,000 to 10,000 mm.

Wildlife on the island inlcudes migratory sea turtles, deer, the Yakushima macaque and the Tanuki.

Things to See & Do

* Hiking
* Arts and Crafts
* Wildlife viewing
* Canoeing
* Snorkeling and scuba diving

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Population – 15,000 approx
Land Area – 500 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Port Location – The port at Yakushima is located at Miyanoura, the largest settlement on the island.

Travel Links – The island is served by Yakushima airport. There are direct flilghts available daily from Osaka and Fukuoka.

There are Jetfoil services available from Tanegashima and Ibusuki. There are also ferry services available from Kagoshima to Yakushima.