Yaku monkeys are smaller than the native macaques of mainland Japan. They are dark grey and have long thick hair. Before getting carried away about the cute and fluffy creatures however – the most important points to remember about the Yaku macaques are that:
1. They are wild.
2. They have very large pointy teeth.
There are around 7000 of them roaming the mountains and can often be seen along the side of the mountain roads and on the trails. Sometimes hanging around the villages watching traffic.
DEER
Yaku shika are also smaller than the mainland deer and number around 7000. They can be seen on the mountain trails in the day and in the villages at night. Yes, that is one of my snowballs on its head.
The Mamushi: A poisonous viper that lurks near water.
Just to give you an idea of this delightful creature – my boss was bitten on the thumb and half his body was temporarily paralysed. Also a local resident in his 50s died from a bite. Spot it in the photo below.
But don’t let that put you off the mountain trails – as soon as they spot you they slither away into the bushes.
Not all snakes are the Mamushi though. Here’s a Japanese Rat snake in Anbo.
MUKADE
Once found lurking in the trouser leg of my son’s pyjamas, these are vicious little things and cause quite a swollen rash on the skin.
HORNETS
Large kick-ass stinging machines which target you and don’t stop until you’re stung.
BEETLES
Any size, shape and colour you could wish for.
Shake a tabu tree in the summer and watch giant horned beetles fall.
SPIDERS
A variety of strange looking spiders inhabit the forest.
TOADS
surprisingly common on the mountain slopes.
LEECHES:
A loyal bloodsucking friend to many hikers. They climb up your boot and find a nice piece of juicy leg above your sock line. They cause no harm to normal healthy people and can be left alone until they drop off filled with your blood. Should you need to remove them however, use salt.
Clive WithamComments Off on ONOAIDA TRAIL to JANOKUCHI WATERFALL
If it is raining up in the mountains and you have little time to wait a day or two for the weather to clear, this trail is the closest thing there is to the big mountain trails. It begins at Onoaida onsen and gently meanders through the forest for an
NEW! For 2012 changes see the 2012 bus timetable page NEW! There are two bus companies on Yakushima: ‘Yakushima Kotsu‘ and ‘Matsubanda‘. Matsubanda has just revised its timetable in March 2009 and changed some of the bus times as detailed in my book. *Please note the following important changes to
Clive WithamComments Off on Yakushima attractions: The North West
The north west of Yakushima is where the UNESCO protected forest reaches all the way to the sea. SEIBU RINDOH FOREST PATH Location: West coast of Yakushima Dense vegetation on Seibu Rindoh Forest Path A wild macaque crossing Seibu Rindoh Forest Path Drive, ride or cycle on the meandering road
Clive WithamComments Off on YAKUSUGILAND and Mt.TACHU
YAKUSUGILAND Yakusugiland is the most accessible of all the trails on the mountain. There are a variety of paths to follow and they are divided according to their estimated duration. As the name suggests there are many yakusugi trees to see including Buddha sugi. All the paths are mapped and
Clive WithamComments Off on Recent Articles on Yakushima
The environment-tourism balance on Yakushima Here is an article from the Daily Yomiuri about the man who mapped Yakushima: Filling in Yakushima’s blanks And here are two articles on Yakushima from the Japan Times. The first is a profile of Rainer, a long time resident of Yakushima, who apart from
Clive WithamComments Off on The SHOPS in YAKUSHIMA
Although shops on Yakushima are rather basic, all the necessities can be found in one of the stores. Here’s the shopping delights. MIYANOURA Large supermarkets LIFE CENTER YAKUDEN ライフセンターヤクデン Close to the port, across the road from the Yakushima Environmental and Cultural Center. It has a little bit of everything
Is that hornet the notorious Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica)? Speaking as a waspophobe who's going to be visiting Yakushima in May/June, how worried should I be?
Yes, it's the Vespa mandarinia japonica otherwise known as the Suzumebachi hornet. They don't normally cause any problems for visitors but here's some of the advice from my book if you're at all worried – keep to the paths, don't wear black and avoid strong perfumes.
Very common! But more so in rainy season. Usually the only reason you know you had a leech is when you later take your socks off and there's blood on them. The leech is normally long gone.
Yes, mosquitoes are there outside of winter! Around the rivers there can also be midges. And yes, if you're going into the mountains it's a good thing to have some repellent on.
What is the reason behind not wearing black? I've read other places not to wear bright clothing bc insects will mistake you for a flower, but haven't heard about the not wearing black thing before.
Is that hornet the notorious Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica)? Speaking as a waspophobe who's going to be visiting Yakushima in May/June, how worried should I be?
Yes, it's the Vespa mandarinia japonica otherwise known as the Suzumebachi hornet. They don't normally cause any problems for visitors but here's some of the advice from my book if you're at all worried – keep to the paths, don't wear black and avoid strong perfumes.
…just how common is it to find a leech sucking away at your shin?
Very common! But more so in rainy season. Usually the only reason you know you had a leech is when you later take your socks off and there's blood on them. The leech is normally long gone.
Outside of what's listed already, are there any year-round or seasonal biters (like mosquitoes)? Would you recommend insect repellent?
Yes, mosquitoes are there outside of winter! Around the rivers there can also be midges. And yes, if you're going into the mountains it's a good thing to have some repellent on.
What is the reason behind not wearing black? I've read other places not to wear bright clothing bc insects will mistake you for a flower, but haven't heard about the not wearing black thing before.