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🌲 Yakushima Island, Kagoshima

Yakushima — the World Heritage Rainforest Island of Ancient Cedars and Legendary Moss

A small island off the coast of Kagoshima where it rains almost every day — and that rain grew a moss forest so green that Ghibli used it as the backdrop for Princess Mononoke. We'll walk you through the legendary moss trails, the hunt for thousand-year-old cedars, and how to prepare for this island's relentless rain.

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Start Here

An Island Where It Rains Almost Every Day —and That's Exactly What Makes It Beautiful

Picture a near-circular island in the sea off the southern tip of Japan, almost entirely mountain cloaked in ancient forest, where it rains so often that locals joke "it rains 35 days a month" — this is Yakushima, an island of Kagoshima Prefecture that became one of Japan's first Natural World Heritage Sites (in 1993). That rain is the real star, because it keeps the trees, rocks and forest floor blanketed in soft emerald moss until the whole place looks like it stepped out of a fairy tale.

People who've been all say the same thing — Yakushima feels like stepping into another world: walking the moss forest that inspired Ghibli's Princess Mononoke, standing before giant cedars thousands of years old, listening to waterfalls thunder through the drizzle. This page will show you what there is to do, how to pick a hiking trail to match your fitness, which way to reach the island from Kagoshima, and how to prepare for the island's rain so your trip is still a great one.

🌧️ Straight up, before anything else: Yakushima really does rain a lot — around 4,000 mm a year on the coast and up to about 10,000 mm in the mountains (one of the wettest places on earth). Don't treat the rain as the enemy, though, because that dream moss forest is at its greenest exactly when it's wet. Just come with a proper rain set and good shoes and you're fine.
🌲
A Legendary Moss Forest
Shiratani Unsuikyo — the scenery that inspired Princess Mononoke.
🌳
Thousand-Year-Old Cedars
Jomon Sugi, estimated at roughly 2,000–7,000 years old.
💧
Waterfalls + a Sea Onsen
88 m Oko Falls · the Hirauchi rock pool that surfaces at low tide.
🐢
A Turtle Nesting Beach
Nagata Inakahama — a major loggerhead-turtle nesting site.
Choose Your Trail

Hiking Yakushima —Pick the Trail That Matches Your Fitness

The magic of this island is in the hiking, but the difficulty varies wildly — from a paved, easy hour-long stroll to a full-day, 22-kilometre trek. Here's a side-by-side so you choose the right one (distances and times are approximate and shift with the weather and your pace).

TrailLevelDistance (round trip)Total timeKnown for
Yakusugi Land (short loop)Yakusugi LandEasy~0.8–1.2 km30–50 minOld cedars, paved path, easy walking
Yakusugi Land (long loop)Yakusugi Land · mountainEasy–moderate~3–8 km80 min–7 hrsThe Yamato-sugi cedar, ~3,000–4,000 years old
Shiratani (Yayoi-sugi route)Shiratani UnsuikyoEasy~2 km~1 hrA taste of the moss forest without the effort
Shiratani (moss forest–Taikoiwa)Shiratani · TaikoiwaModerate~5.6 km~4 hrsThe Mononoke moss forest + a rock viewpoint
Jomon Sugi (Arakawa route)Jōmon SugiHard~22 km9–11 hrsThe thousand-year cedar · pre-dawn start
🥾 How to choose: if you have half a day or don't want to push too hard, go for Shiratani (moss forest–Taikoiwa) — you get both the Mononoke atmosphere and a great view in around 4 hours. Want something short and gentle? Take the Yakusugi Land short loop. Jomon Sugi is a full-day trek for those who are physically ready, and most people hire a guide. For any mountain trail, go with a local guide when it's raining or the path is slippery.
6 Things to See

What Makes Yakushimaa Dream Island

These are the spots people come back raving about — from the legendary moss forest and ancient cedars to a giant waterfall and a seaside onsen. Mix and match them to the energy and time you've got.

Shiratani Unsuikyo moss forest in Yakushima, trees and rocks blanketed in deep green moss 🌲 Moss Forest1
Shiratani Unsuikyo
Shiratani Unsuikyo · Mononoke Forest

If you only have time for one thing, make it this — the moss-covered area (Kokemusu) was the inspiration for the forest in Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. Ancient trees and rocks draped in thick, soft moss turn the whole forest fairy-tale green. There are several routes to choose from, from about 1 hour up to the Taikoiwa route at around 4 hours.

📍Location: central island, above Miyanoura town · ~30–40 min up by road
🥾Routes: Yayoi-sugi ~1 hr · moss forest–Taikoiwa ~4 hrs
🌧️Tip: the moss is greenest in the wet — wear grippy shoes, as the rocky path gets very slippery in rain
🚌Getting there: bus from Miyanoura, or a rental car/taxi up to the trailhead
Japan Nature Escapes →
An ancient moss-covered Yakusugi cedar deep in the forest of Yakushima 🌳 Ancient Cedar2
Jomon Sugi Cedar
Jōmon Sugi · ancient cedar

The oldest Yaku cedar on the island and reckoned to be one of the oldest trees in Japan, with an estimate spanning a huge range — roughly 2,000 to 7,000 years old. Standing before it is a real test of yourself, because it means the Arakawa trek: a round trip of about 22 kilometres, 9–11 hours in a single day. The first stretch follows an old wooden railway. The tree in this photo is from Yakushima's own Yaku cedar forest.

📍Location: central island · starts at the Arakawa Trailhead
⏱️Trek: ~22 km round trip · 9–11 hrs · ~700 m of elevation change
🌅Tip: start before dawn (often before 5–6 am) · most people hire a guide · come physically prepared
🥾Alternative: short on time or energy? Choose the easier Yakusugi Land or Shiratani instead
Kagoshima Guide →
🌲 🌲 Cedar Forest3
Yakusugi Land
Yakusugi Land · cedar trails

A great option if you want to see ancient cedars but don't fancy an all-day trek — there are paved, easy loops of just 30–50 minutes, up to longer mountain routes (80–210 minutes). The medium long loop of about 8 kilometres passes the Yamato-sugi cedar, estimated at roughly 3,000–4,000 years old. Ideal for families or anyone short on time.

📍Location: central island, south of Anbo · reached by road
🥾Routes: 30/50 min (paved) · 80–210 min (mountain)
🌳Highlight: the Yamato-sugi cedar, estimated at roughly 3,000–4,000 years old
💡Tip: start with a short loop, then add a longer one if you're still up for it · there's a forest conservation fee, check the latest
Japan Nature Escapes →
💧 💧 Waterfalls4
Oko & Senpiro Falls
Ōko-no-taki & Senpiro Falls

All that rain leaves the island scattered with beautiful waterfalls — Oko-no-taki, around 88 metres tall, is on Japan's list of the 100 finest waterfalls, while Senpiro is about 60 metres and can be admired from a viewpoint without any trekking. The falls here are at their most spectacular on a rainy day, and on clear days you'll sometimes catch a rainbow.

📍Location: Oko is on the southwest side · Senpiro is near the southern road
💧Highlight: Oko ~88 m (one of Japan's top 100) · Senpiro ~60 m
🚗Getting there: drive the island loop · Senpiro has a viewpoint car park and a short walk
🌧️Tip: rainy days bring the strongest, most beautiful flow · watch for slippery coastal roads and rockfall after heavy rain
Japan Nature Escapes →
♨️ ♨️ Sea Onsen5
Hirauchi Seaside Onsen
Hirauchi Kaichū Onsen

The island's strangest and most fun onsen — a natural rock pool by the sea that only emerges from the water for about 2 hours either side of low tide. When the tide rises, the pool vanishes back into the sea. Soaking here while you watch the waves roll in is an experience you won't find just anywhere — just check that day's tide table before you go.

📍Location: southern coast of the island, around Hirauchi
🌊Bathing window: ~2 hrs either side of low tide · check that day's tide table
👙Rules: mixed, unsegregated bath · no swimsuits · if that isn't for you, there are other indoor onsen on the island
♨️More: want to bathe with confidence? Read our Japan onsen guide first
Japan Onsen Guide →
🐢 🐢 Turtle Beach6
Nagata Inakahama Beach
Nagata Inakahama · turtle beach

The island's largest sandy beach and one of the biggest loggerhead-turtle nesting sites in the North Pacific. Female turtles return every year to the beach where they hatched, between May and August. Outside nesting season, this is also one of the island's finest sunset spots.

📍Location: northwest coast of the island, around Nagata
🐢Nesting season: May–Aug (peak Jun–Jul) · hatchlings early Jul to late Sep
🔦Important rule: watching turtles nest is only allowed via a designated conservation tour · no flash / don't disturb the turtles
🌅Tip: come for the sunset out of season too · nesting season overlaps the rainy season, so weigh it up
Kagoshima Guide →
Eat & Drink on the Island

Yakushima FlavoursWorth Trying at Least Once

An island like this has incredibly fresh seafood, plus local fruit and forest fare — drop into a restaurant in Miyanoura or Anbo town after a day's hiking (menus are seasonal, so some things only appear in certain months).

From the sea
Flying Fish (Tobiuo, 飛び魚)

Yakushima lands more flying fish (tobiuo) than anywhere in Japan — the flesh is firm and lean, eaten as sashimi, salt-grilled, or fried whole with crisp fins. The favourite souvenir is "tsukeage", deep-fried fish cakes. Another local catch is kubi-ore saba (neck-snapped mackerel), which fishermen kill the moment it's caught and serve as very fresh sashimi.

Fruit
Tankan + Ponkan Citrus

The island grows more tankan and ponkan citrus than anywhere in Japan — sweet, juicy and local. Ponkan is harvested around December and tankan around February–March, when you'll find them fresh at the stalls. Out of season there's fresh-pressed juice, sweets and processed souvenirs to try.

From the forest
Venison + Local Fare

The island has its own Yaku deer, so some restaurants serve venison as steak or grilled, rich and gamey. You'll also find mixed sashimi platters that change with the day's catch — it's worth asking the restaurant what's especially fresh today.

Where to Stay

Sleep on the Island —or Base in Kagoshima and Take the Boat Over

To be clear, Yakushima isn't a luxury-resort island — most places to stay are lodges, minshuku (family guesthouses) and small hotels, clustered in the two main port towns: Miyanoura in the north, the biggest port and closest to the Shiratani trailhead, and Anbo in the east, near the trailheads for Jomon Sugi and Yakusugi Land. Pick the side closest to your main activity and you'll save a lot of travel time on the island.

If you're doing the pre-dawn Jomon Sugi trek, staying on the Anbo side is more convenient. If you're focused on the Shiratani moss forest and arriving by boat, Miyanoura is easier. Another popular option is to stay in Kagoshima city and take the fast ferry over and back — good if you want to see the island in a day or don't want to keep changing hotels, but allow ~2 hours per crossing for the boat.

🏠 Book ahead — it pays off: accommodation on the island is limited, and it fills up fast in the rainy season (May–Jul, which overlaps turtle-nesting season) and on Japanese long weekends. Many lodges offer packages that bundle in a trekking guide and transfers, so ask when you book. Prices change with the season — check the latest before you confirm.
🏝️

Stay on Yakushima Island

Lodges and small hotels in Miyanoura and Anbo — pick the side closest to the trail you plan to hike, then compare prices and reviews.

🏨 Search Yakushima Stays →
⛩️

Stay in Kagoshima City

Want a day trip to the island, or to see more of Kagoshima? Base on the mainland and take the fast ferry across.

🏨 Search Kagoshima Stays →
Getting There

Reaching Yakushimafrom Kagoshima — Ferry or Flight

Yakushima is an island, so you always start in Kagoshima Prefecture. From the city there's both boat and plane to suit your budget and time (prices and 2026 schedules can change, check the latest before booking).

Fastest
Jetfoil Fast Ferry

The Toppy/Rocket hydrofoils from Kagoshima port take about 2 hours, arriving at Miyanoura or Anbo port, with several sailings a day (around 5 return trips · fewer in winter). It's the most popular choice because it's fast and flexible.

Cheapest
Standard Ferry

The Yakushima Ferry 2 takes about 4 hours each way, once a day (leaving Kagoshima around 08:30 · returning from Miyanoura around 13:30). It's cheaper than the fast ferry and can carry cars — good if you're not in a hurry and want to save.

Most comfortable
Flight from Kagoshima Airport

Direct from Kagoshima Airport to Yakushima Airport in about 40 minutes, several times a day (JAC, part of the JAL group). It's the quickest and most comfortable if you don't mind a small plane. A regular fare is around ¥21,000, with discount fares often ¥12,000–18,000 — check the latest.

🚗 Getting around the island: Yakushima has a road that loops the coast, but public buses don't run often. If you want to hit several spots in a day, renting a car is easiest (book ahead, vehicles are limited). Some trailhead access roads are closed to private cars in peak season, so you transfer to the island's shuttle bus — check the latest rules before you go.
Map

Yakushima's Main Sightson the Map

See clearly where each highlight sits on the island — the moss forest and cedars are in the centre, the waterfalls and onsen are scattered along the coast. Plan your loop route from here.

Tips Before You Go

6 Things That Make YakushimaFun and Safe

🌧️
Always Pack a Rain Set
It rains often here all year round, so bring a rain jacket and trousers (an umbrella won't cut it on the trails) — even if the forecast says clear, take them with you.
🥾
Prepare for the Jomon Sugi Trek
It's a full day, ~22 km and 9–11 hours, with a pre-dawn start. Get fit, bring water, food and a headlamp, and hire a local guide.
👟
Grippy Shoes Really Matter
Moss-covered rocks and roots get very slippery when wet. Wear hiking shoes with good grip — don't head into the forest in sandals or smooth sneakers.
🌊
Check the Tide Table
The Hirauchi seaside onsen is only open for about 2 hours around low tide. Check that day's tides before you go, or you'll arrive to find the pool underwater.
🚗
Book a Car or Tour Ahead
Island buses are infrequent and rental cars and tours are limited. Booking ahead makes everything far smoother, especially in the rainy season and on long weekends.
🐢
Respect the Turtle Rules
During nesting season (May–Aug), you can only watch through a designated conservation tour. No flash, no disturbing the turtles — the rules are there to protect the loggerheads.
Related Guides

More Nature and World Heritage in Japan — Volcanoes, Pilgrim Trails and Onsen

🌋

Mount Aso

Kumamoto's giant volcanic caldera — the turquoise Nakadake crater, the Kusasenri grasslands, and viewpoints over the whole rim.

Mount Aso Guide →
⛩️

Kumano Kodo

The ancient pilgrimage trails of the Kii Peninsula — Nachi Falls, the three Kumano shrines, and onsen deep in the forest.

Kumano Kodo Guide →
⛰️

Kagoshima (the Gateway)

The doorway to Yakushima — Sakurajima volcano, onsen, and the port city you sail or fly across from.

Kagoshima Guide →
♨️

Japan Onsen Guide

How to bathe, the etiquette, the tattoo question, and everything a first-timer needs to know before their first soak.

Onsen Guide →
🏞️

Japan Nature Escapes

Nature and World Heritage destinations across Japan — forests, mountains, islands, and city escapes worth the trip.

Japan Nature →
ℹ️

Japan Travel Prep

Visa · eSIM · IC cards · JR Pass · yen · power plugs · etiquette — everything before you fly to Japan.

Travel Prep →
Frequently Asked Questions

Questions AboutVisiting Yakushima

How do I get to Yakushima from Kagoshima, and how long does it take?
There are two ways — by fast jetfoil (Toppy/Rocket) from Kagoshima port it takes about 2 hours, with several sailings a day (fewer in winter), arriving at Miyanoura or Anbo port. The standard Yakushima Ferry 2 takes about 4 hours and runs once a day. The other option is a flight from Kagoshima Airport, around 40 minutes (JAC, part of the JAL group). Prices and 2026 schedules can change, so check the latest before you book.
Is the Shiratani Unsuikyo moss forest really the Princess Mononoke forest?
Yes — the moss-covered area (Kokemusu) in Shiratani Unsuikyo was the inspiration for the forest scenes in Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. The team, led by lead background artist Kazuo Oga, used the ancient trees and moss-draped rocks here as the model. There are several trails at different levels, from about 1 hour up to the Taikoiwa route at around 4 hours, so you can choose by your energy and time.
How long is the trek to the Jomon Sugi cedar, and is it hard?
It's a full-day trek, a round trip of about 22 kilometres on the Arakawa route, taking roughly 9–11 hours including breaks, with around 700 metres of elevation change. You walk along an old logging railway at first, then onto a forest trail. You need to be reasonably fit and start before dawn (often before 5–6 am), and most people hire a guide. Short on time or energy? Yakusugi Land or Shiratani are easier alternatives.
Does Yakushima really rain a lot, and how should I prepare?
Yes — locals even joke that "it rains 35 days a month". The coast gets around 4,000 mm of rain a year, and the mountains up to about 10,000 mm, making it one of the wettest places on earth. The rainy season (early June to mid-July) is the heaviest. Pack a jacket-and-trousers rain set (an umbrella isn't enough on the trails), grippy hiking shoes, and spare clothes in a waterproof bag. The rain is exactly why the moss forest here is so green.
When can you bathe at the Hirauchi seaside onsen?
Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen is a rock pool by the sea that only emerges from the water for about 2 hours either side of low tide; when the tide comes in, the pool disappears beneath the sea. So you need to check that day's tide table before you go. It's a mixed, unsegregated bath and swimsuits are not allowed — if that isn't for you, there are other indoor onsen on the island.
When is the best time to visit Yakushima?
Overall, the most pleasant and least crowded months are April–May and October–November; avoid the rainy season (early June to mid-July). If your main goal is to see sea turtles nesting at Nagata Inakahama beach, you'll need to come in May–August (nesting peaks around June–July, hatchlings from early July to late September), which overlaps with the rainy season, so it's a trade-off — and you can only watch through a designated conservation tour.
Ready for Yakushima?

Plan From Kagoshima
and Book a Stay Before It Fills Up

Start by choosing the side of the island closest to the trail you want, book your ferry or flight from Kagoshima, and pack a proper rain set — island accommodation is limited, so book early before the rainy season and long weekends sell out.

📖 Kagoshima Guide (the Gateway) 🏨 Search Yakushima Stays →
🔴 Book Yakushima Stays Kagoshima Guide