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Kagoshima 🏝 Island 📷 8

Yakushima (Miyanoura)

屋久島

A ferry ride away — smaller roads, clearer water and a different pace.

See the photos How to get there Open in Maps
Best season April–October (calmest seas and longest daylight)
Time needed Half a day to a full day
Admission Ferry roughly ¥500–3,000 each way (≈ $3–19)
Opening hours Depends entirely on the ferry timetable

What this place is

Yakushima (屋久島) is one of the Ōsumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The island, 504.88 km2 (194.94 sq mi) in area, has a population of 11,858. It is accessible by hydrofoil ferry, car ferry, or by air to Yakushima Airport. The island is part of the town (chō) of Yakushima, which includes the neighbouring island of Kuchinoerabujima. 42% of the island is within the borders of the Yakushima National Park. As of 2021, Yakushima's electricity generation was more than 99% hydroelectric, and surplus power has been used to produce hydrogen gas in an experiment by Kagoshima University. The island has been a test site for Honda's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research.

Yakushima (Miyanoura) (屋久島) is one of the standout places to visit in Kagoshima. Give yourself unhurried time for photos, seasonal views, and nearby food stops. IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA cover most trains and city buses.

Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Why it is worth the trip

  • The crossing itself: the approach by sea is half the experience.
  • Coastal scenery and viewpoints you can circle in a day on foot, by bike or by local bus.
  • A small resident community whose food, festivals and dialect differ from the mainland nearby.

What you can do here

  • Rent a bicycle or e-bike at the port and ride the coastal loop.
  • Walk to the island's main viewpoint or lighthouse for the wide sea panorama.
  • Eat seafood caught that morning at a port-side restaurant.
  • Stay overnight if you can — the island empties out after the last ferry and the night sky is excellent.

Photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.

Getting there by public transport

  1. Ferry/jetfoil/air from Kagoshima; island buses.
  2. Nearest station/stop: Miyanoura Port.

Route on Google Maps

Good to know before you go

  • Plan around the ferry timetable first, everything else second; the last boat is unforgiving.
  • Ferries are cancelled in high wind or swell — have a backup plan for the day.
  • ATMs, konbini and card payment can all be scarce; bring cash and water.

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