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Yakushima
location_onKAGOSHIMA, Yakushima Area
An island registered as a World Natural Heritage site, known for its abundant rainfall and rich natural environment.
Located about 60km south-southwest of Cape Sata in Kagoshima Prefecture, Yakushima was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 1993. The island, with a circumference of 132km and an area of 505 square kilometers, is full of mountains over 1,000m high, including the highest peak in Kyushu, Miyanoura-dake, which is 1,936m high. 90% of the island is covered with forests, earning it the nickname "Alps on the Sea".
The island has a subtropical climate, so while the flat areas near the coast are warm, the mountains can be cold enough for snow to fall. The island is home to cedar trees known as Yakusugi that are over 1,000 years old. Among them, the Jomon Sugi, one of the largest, is estimated to be over 2,000 years old, with some theories suggesting it could be over 7,200 years old. Its impressive presence makes it a symbol of Yakushima. The Wilson's Stump, whose hollow looks like a heart shape, is also a popular photo spot.
Blessed with abundant rainfall, over 70% of Japan's plants can be found here, forming a rich forest ecosystem, with many unique species and plenty of moss coloring the forests of Yakushima in beautiful green.
The island also has beautiful white sandy beaches, and is famous as a place where sea turtles come to lay their eggs in early summer
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Located about 60km south-southwest of Cape Sata in Kagoshima Prefecture, Yakushima was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 1993. The island, with a circumference of 132km and an area of 505 square kilometers, is full of mountains over 1,000m high, including the highest peak in Kyushu, Miyanoura-dake, which is 1,936m high. 90% of the island is covered with forests, earning it the nickname "Alps on the Sea".
The island has a subtropical climate, so while the flat areas near the coast are warm, the mountains can be cold enough for snow to fall. The island is home to cedar trees known as Yakusugi that are over 1,000 years old. Among them, the Jomon Sugi, one of the largest, is estimated to be over 2,000 years old, with some theories suggesting it could be over 7,200 years old. Its impressive presence makes it a symbol of Yakushima. The Wilson's Stump, whose hollow looks like a heart shape, is also a popular photo spot.
Blessed with abundant rainfall, over 70% of Japan's plants can be found here, forming a rich forest ecosystem, with many unique species and plenty of moss coloring the forests of Yakushima in beautiful green.
The island also has beautiful white sandy beaches, and is famous as a place where sea turtles come to lay their eggs in early summer