Yakushima: A Visitors Guide

Yakushima: A Visitors Guide

A Yakumonkey Guide to enjoying Yakushima 2019

  • NATURE
    • THE BASICS of YAKUSHIMA
    • YAKUSUGI TREES
    • MARINE LIFE
    • RIVERS
    • WATERFALLS
    • WEATHER
    • TEMPERATURES
    • IS IT GOING to RAIN ON MYTRIP?
    • Tides TIMES FOR YAKUSHIMA
  • FOOD/DRINK
    • WHAT TO EAT VIDEO?
    • RESTAURANTS & CAFES
    • UNIQUE YAKUSHIMA FOOD
    • UNIQUE YAKUSHIMA DRINK
  • TRANSPORT
    • KAGOSHIMA AIRPORT
    • Accommodation options in Kagoshima
    • The Travel options
      • BY PLANE
      • BY JETFOIL
      • BY FERRY
    • Moving around Yakushima
      • RENT A CAR
      • TAKE A BUS
      • RENT A BICYCLE
      • RENT A SCOOTER
      • TAKE A TAXI
    • Mountain Traffic Regulations
    • Bus Timetables
      • SUMMER BUS TIMETABLES
      • NORMAL BUS TIMETABLES 2018
    • Village Maps
  • Accommodation
    • WHERE TO STAY VIDEO
    • MOUNTAIN HUTS
    • CAMPSITES
    • Hostels, Guest Houses & Hotels
      • How to Book
      • On a Budget
      • MID-PRICED ACCOMMODATION
      • HIGH-END ACCOMMODATION
      • UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION
  • SIGHTS
    • TOP 10 SIGHTS
    • THE NORTH EAST
    • THE SOUTH EAST
    • THE SOUTH WEST
    • THE NORTH-WEST
  • HIKING
    • HIKING BASICS
      • PORTABLE TOILETS
      • Equipment Rental
      • The Best Time to Hike
    • HIKING TRAILS
      • A1 ARAKAWA TRAIL
      • S1 SHIRATANI UNSUIKYO
      • Y1 YODOGAWA TRAIL
      • Y3 YAKUSUGILAND
        • Tachu-dake live
      • M2 MOCHOMU TRAIL
      • O2 ONOAIDA TRAIL
    • WINTER HIKING
  • ACTIVITIES
    • WATER ACTIVITY VIDEO
    • SHOPS
    • ARTS & CRAFTS
    • PARKS
    • WATCH TURTLES
    • STANDUP PADDLEBOARDING
    • Yoga on Anbo River
    • SNORKELING
    • SWIMMING
    • Natural Hot Springs
  • INTERACT
    • Forum
    • Contact
    • Videos
      • YAKUSHIMA: STAY
      • YAKUSHIMA: EAT
      • YAKUSHIMA: WATER
      • INTRODUCTORY VIDEOS
      • PRINCESS MONONOKE
      • DOCUMENTARIES
      • Music Videos
        • You Say Party
        • SIGUR ROS

Hiking

Uncategorized 

The hiking trails on Yakushima

August 13, 2016September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 3219 Views Hiking

There are many beautiful hiking trails in Yakushima both long and short. In my guide book (nudge! nudge!) I detail and map 15 different trails from all over the island – Yakusugiland, Shiratani Unsuikyo, Arakawa trail, Okabu trail, Yodogawa trail, Kusugawa trail, Onoaida trail, Mt.Mochomu trail, Mt.Tachu trail, Mt.Aiko trail,

Read more
Uncategorized 

Arakawa Trail Access Road Rules 2015

May 2, 2012September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 1449 Views Hiking, Transport

Here are the road regulations the access road to the Arakawa trail which are now a permanent fixture in the annual hiking calendar. Arakawa tozan bus

Read more
Uncategorized 

Winter hiking

January 22, 2012September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 3501 Views Climate, Hiking

The snow conditions in 2012: UPDATE: No snow on the main trails as of 2nd March 2012 Shiratani Unsuikyo and the Kusugawa Trail  The following photo was taken on 7th Jan 2012 at Tsuji pass above Shiratani Unsuikyo. There was 3-4 cm of snow and no special footwear was needed

Read more
Uncategorized 

Hiking guide to Jomon Sugi – when to visit

July 11, 2011September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 3203 Views Hiking

The following is a guide to choose the best time to hike to Jomon Sugi. It is based on visitor numbers from previous years and is to help avoid adding to the queues of hikers on the trail. If at all possible visit outside of the busy periods so that

Read more
Uncategorized 

Yodogawa Trail closed

July 6, 2010September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 2430 Views Hiking

1. NEW: From 25th November 2010 for 2 weeks the Miyanoura Tozando bridge will be closed for repairs and hikers therefore cannot use the Yodogawa Path to climb Mt.Miyanoura. Miyanoura Tozandou, the bridge metres away from Yodogawa hut, has been closed due to damage sustained during rainy season. As can

Read more
Uncategorized 

Arakawa Trail reopens 19th Feb

February 18, 2010September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 1869 Views Hiking

Previous post: Arakawa Trail blocked The detour route has finally been secured around the area of the landslide and the Arakawa trail reopens from the Arakawa trailhead on 19th Feb. The detour trail veers off for 400m and consists of some wooden steps and rope. Bear in mind that it

Read more
Uncategorized 

Arakawa Trail blocked

January 26, 2010September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 2002 Views Hiking

A recent landslide has blocked the Arakawa trail 2 km from the trailhead. It occured on the morning of Saturday 24/01/10 and has covered the railtrack trail making it impassable. It is around 20 m wide and 7 m high and will obviously take some time to remove. In the

Read more
Uncategorized 

Equipment Rental in Yakushima

March 20, 2009September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 4913 Views Hiking

The following are examples of the prices for renting equipment in Yakushima: Climbing gear – price based on a rental of 3 days/2 nights Hiking boots: 1000 yen Gore-tex hiking boots: 1500 yen Small backpack: 500 yen 45l backpack: 1000 yen 60l backpack: 1500 yen Mountain Tent: 1500 yen (1

Read more
Uncategorized 

Arakawa Trail

February 18, 2009September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 4185 Views Hiking

The Arakawa trail is the most used path on Yakushima as it goes past the most famous of Sugi trees – Jomon Sugi. The route starts at the old railway terminal and follows the train tracks past the following places… An abandoned wagon at the beginning of the trail A

Read more
Uncategorized 

Hiking on Yakushima

June 4, 2007September 5, 2019 Clive Witham 2133 Views Hiking

Almost everyone who comes to the island goes hiking at some point. If you don’t have any walking shoes, or rain wear, or need a sleeping bag and a mat for an overnight stay in one of the mountain huts – don’t despair. Just about anything you could want can

Read more

WHERE TO STAY?

OUR PICKS OF YAKUSHIMA

 

SANKARA HOTEL & SPA YAKUSHIMA

 

 

YAKUSHIMA YOUTH HOSTEL

 

 

YAKUSHIMA EXPERIENCE GUIDES

 

 

GUESTHOUSE YAKUSHIMA

 

 

COTTAGE MORINOKOKAGE

 

 

GREEN MOUNT

 

 

GUESTHOUSE VIEWS

 

BUY THE COMPLETE GUIDE BOOK

YAKUSHIMA: A YAKUMONKEY GUIDE
3rd Edition

No Japanese? No problem. Everything you need to enjoy your visit to Yakushima in 2019 is right here!

Be free, be independent and find your own adventure!

BUY THE EBOOK HERE!
BUY THE PAPERBACK HERE! If you are in Europe don’t buy it from Amazon. Buy it from Wordery.com at the link.
You can also find a copy in Yakushima at the Tourist Information Centers.
Get the book update for 2019 HERE

THE WEATHER IN YAKUSHIMA

Weather Yakushima
  • YAKUSHIMA FORUM
  • YAKUSHIMA GUIDE 3RD EDITION
  • CONTACT
  • IS IT GOING TO RAIN?
Copyright © 2025 Yakushima: A Visitor's Guide | Clive Witham