Yakushima

Yakushima (屋久島) is a remote, mountainous island south of Kyushu and one of Japan’s most spectacular natural landscapes. Part of the island is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its ancient Yakusugi cedars, including the legendary Jomon Sugi, as well as its dense moss-covered forests, mist-shrouded mountains, and dramatic waterfalls. The mystical scenery of Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine is often associated with the inspiration for the forest world of Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke. Yakushima combines subtropical coastlines, lush rainforests, and mountains rising to nearly 2,000 meters, along with natural hot springs and sea turtle nesting beaches. Exceptionally rainy and remarkably pristine, the island is a paradise for hikers, nature lovers, and photographers, and is considered one of Japan’s most unspoiled destinations.