basic information

Most people come to Yakushima to see the cedar forests; however, there are a lot of things to see and do on the island besides hiking. There are a number of other outdoor attractions as well, incuding nature watching, snorkeling, scuba diving, waterfalls, museums and onsen.

One of the best ways to see the island is to take a drive around its perimeter. The mountainous slopes and cliffs along parts of the coast offer some excellent scenery, especially along the western coast where the UNESCO world heritage site extends to the sea and the roads are too narrow and winding for the buses to run.

Whether hiking or driving, you are likely to encounter Yakushima deer and monkeys, locally referred to as Yakushika and Yakuzaru. As in all national parks, do not feed or approach the wild animals.

Yakushika (Yakushima Deer)

Yakuzaru (Yakushima Monkey)

In June and July sea turtles come ashore on the northwest and southwest beaches of Yakushima to lay their eggs. Special precautions are required to see them, and guided tours are available.

There are also a few hot springs around the island. Of interest are the coastal baths of Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen in the south near Yudomari. Its baths are notable as they are usually underwater except for a few hours before and after low tide.

Some attractions around Yakushima:

	Yakusugi Museum 5 minutes by car from Anbo Port Hours: daily 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: 1st Tuesday every month and New Year's Holidays Admission: 600 yen The Yakusugi Museum displays the ecology, history and industry of the forests on Yakushima Island. Here you can learn about the Yakushima cedar trees, the products that come from them and how they were harvested.
	Environmental Culture Village Center 5 minute walk from Miyanoura Port Hours: daily 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: Mondays and New Year's Holidays Admission: 500 yen The Environmental Culture Village Center teaches about the nature and culture of Yakushima. Its main attraction is a film about the island shown on a 14 meter high screen.
	Okonotaki Just off the main road Okonotaki is a spectacular waterfall on the west side of Yakushima Island. The 88 meter high waterfall is considered one of Japan's 100 best and can be viewed from just a few steps from the parking area.
	Senpironotaki 10 minute drive from the main road Senpironotaki is another of Yakushima's larger waterfalls which is located near the southern coast of the island. There is a viewpoint overlooking the falls which is a short walk from the parking area.

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how to get there

How to get to and around Yakushima Island

1st of 4 most visited sights in Yakushima.
396th of 557 most visited sights nationwide.

Ratings for Around the Island:

japan-guide.com Rating:		best of Japan
User Rating (by 13 users):	94/100	highly recommended

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