Yakushima

On Yakushima lies a vast lush forest with numerous hiking trails, beloved by (mainly Japanese) tourists. Experiencing the island’s famous vegetation involves walking among huge millennial trees in a unique and fascinating atmosphere. As for local fauna, Yakushima has tons of wild animals, notably shika deer (as in Nara and Miyajima) and macaque monkeys 🐒, which local people like to claim are as numerous as the human residents of the island.

The subtropical climate make it extremely rainy ☔️ on Yakushima, and even if temperatures are quite pleasant, it is wise to bring along adequate equipment to visit for one or two days. This peculiar climate mixes subtropical and subarctic areas to create a stimulating contrast: a local proverb says that "it is raining 35 days a month!" For those willing or inclined to limit their physical activities, this place is also famous for its onsen ♨️. During the year, less than 15,000 inhabitants reside on the island, a number that has been stable since the 1990s, after the critical decrease over the second half of the 20th century.

While advisable to make advance plans for means of transportation, in the form of a rental car 🚙, motorcycle or mini van, most visits to Yakushima are on foot. Whether crossing the island from east to west on the 13-kilometers Seibu-rindo forestry trail, or admiring the Yakugusi Land cedar trees forest from an observatory deck more than 1,000 meters high, hikers eager for challenges and visitors seeking to discover a new aspect of Japan will be delighted!

It is essential to plan ahead. Bring suitable hiking shoes, as they will be needed on hikes of 7 hours or more. As a cornerstone, Mount Miyanouradake, the island's highest mountain, peaks at 1,935 meters and provides a dazzling spring 🌸 show: cherry blossom trees, rocks, and Japanese azaleas set the scene that would have inspired numerous Impressionist painters. In addition to the numerous waterfalls garnishing the island, a scientific break at the cedars trees’ museum offers visitors the chance to smell the peculiar and beneficial fragrance of the cedars, some being of which are more than 2,000 years old.

With the release of Princess Mononoké (Ghibli Studio) Japanese popular culture recognized the island in 1997. Producer and director, Hayao Miyazaki, spent extended amount of time on the island during pre-production, letting the landscapes profoundly inspire him to imagine the scenery for this sumptuous animation movie.