A Big Adventure in Southern Japan: Kagoshima and Yakushima
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Ferry to Yakushima from Kagoshima Harbour
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Ueno Park Hanami, Tokyo
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Coastline of Yakushima Island
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Senpiro Waterfall, Yakushima Island
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Jomon Sugi Cedar Tree, Yakushima Island
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Trip Intro
From Haneda Airport in Tokyo, I flew to Kagoshima, a city dominated by the still-active volcano Sakurajima in southern Kyushu. After a short stop in the city, I took a three-hour ferry ride to the island of Yakushima. There, I experienced my best Japan adventure so far. With a rental car, I drove along Yakushima’s coastline, visited the beautiful Senpiro Waterfall, Shirataniunsuikyo Area and Ohko-no-taki Waterfall, hiked for 10 hours to Japan’s oldest tree, and had the best fresh seafood of my life. My home base was for three nights a hotel in Miyanoura.
Best Places to Stay on Yakushima
Destination Overview
1Kagoshima
For a quick one-day stopover in the city Kagoshima, located on Japan’s third largest island, Kyushu. You should visit Sakurajima volcano across the bay, stroll through the famous Japanese-style landscape garden Sengan-en, explore the beautifully preserved samurai district of Chiran, visit Kagoshima Aquarium with its massive Kuroshio Tank, and if there is some time left, the Shiroyama Park on top of a mountain with fantastic views over the city. Find out more >
Don’t miss these Kyushu highlights:
2Yakushima
Yakushima belongs to the Ōsumi Islands. It has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The round-shaped granite subtropical island covers an area of app. 505 square kilometers with a population of 15.000. There are more than 40 mountains reaching over 1000 meters and 6 over 1800 meters. The highest mountain at 1935m above sea level is called Miyanoura-dake. Find out more >
The beautiful nature park Shiratani Unsuikyo pictured above was an inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke. It takes about 35 minutes by bus from Miyanoura to get there. Yakushima is truly a paradise for outdoor lovers. You can enjoy hot springs, beautiful beaches, walks through ancient forests, climbing, snorkelling, canoe trips, sea kayaking, wildlife watching, and much more. Find out more >
3Jomon Sugi
On Yakushima, you will find one of the oldest trees in the world: Jōmon Sugi. This ancient cedar is estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,200 years old. With a diameter of 5.2 meters and a height of 25.3 meters, this natural wonder will leave you speechless. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach it. Find out more >
Location
The city Kagoshima is located in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture on Kyushu, while Yakushima Island lies approximately 135 km south of Kagoshima.
How to get to Kagoshima and Yakushima?
- 7hrs from Tokyo to Kagoshima by Sanyo, Tokaido and Kyushu Shinkansen - transfer in Shin-Osaka or
- 2hrs from Tokyo Haneda Airport by ANA, JAL, Skymark and Solaseed Air and
- 2-3hrs from Kagoshima by high-speed boat to the ferry ports at Miyanoura and Anbo of Yakushima Island
Where to stay in Kagoshima and Yakushima?
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