Yakushima
From World travel guide
Yakushima is an island about half-way between Kyushu and Okinawa in Japan. Officially a part of Kagoshima Prefecture, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Though not too well-known outside Japan, Yakushima is a popular destination for Japanese tourists, hence the infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, transportation) is good.
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Understand
Yakushima is a small volcanic island that rises nearly 2000m above sea level. The island is one of the most rain-soaked places in Japan, with measurable precipitation 50% of the days of the year. Due to its isolation, steep terrain and exceptional climate Yakushima is one of Japan's natural wonders. The yakusugi cedar trees on the island are thousands of years old. The largest, called the Jomon sugi is estimated to be over 7,000 years old.
Get in
There is a (charmingly small) airport with direct flights to/from Kagoshima.
There are also ferry connections to Kagoshima and Shimama.
Get around
There is a reasonably good network of bus connections.
See
Yakusugiland in the interior of the island where the above mentioned cedars are to be seen. On the road to Yakusugiland you can frequently see monkeys and deer on the roadside.
The rocky coastline is very beautiful.
At Nagatamaehama Beach giant turtles are laying their eggs directly at the beach.
The Forest Shiratani Unsuikyo is also famous.
Do
Eat
One can eat flying fishes. (Well, they are flying over the sea (for short time) while they are alive; they won't fly away from your plate.)
Drink
Stay safe
Some snakes. The coastline is beautiful, but rough; bathing in the wrong place might be dangerous.
External links
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