Yakushima forests and waterfalls Japan trip

Begin your journey by flying from Tokyo Haneda to Kagoshima, then connecting to Yakushima Airport, or travel by shinkansen and ferry to Miyanoura Port for a more scenic approach. Transfer to Hotel Yakushima Ocean and Forest, your tranquil island base for tailor-made Japan travel.

In the afternoon, explore Miyanoura’s cafés and shops, or head to nearby viewpoints for mountain and sea scenery. Later, unwind in the hotel’s spacious indoor bath or open-air bath. If you wish, enjoy an optional dinner featuring regional ingredients for a warm island welcome.

Start the day with a tailor-made, full-day guided trek through the mossy Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine to Taikoiwa Panorama. Ancient cedar trees, clear mountain streams, and lush greenery create a dreamlike setting, with wide views at the top when the skies are clear.

The hike takes around seven hours and is ideal for nature lovers and photographers, with your local guide adjusting the pace and focus to match your interests.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon to rest, soak in the large public bath, and, if you like, book a spa treatment to ease tired muscles.

Spend the day on a guided walk through Yakusugi Land, following mossy trails into ancient cedar forests to reach the remarkable Yamatosugi Cedar, an awe-inspiring tree estimated to be 3,000 to 4,000 years old. The moderate 8 km route typically takes around six to seven hours and includes a bento lunch beneath towering sugi trees.

This is a quieter, less crowded way to experience Yakushima’s wilderness, with dense greenery and the insight of a local guide. Entrance fees, meals, and hotel pickup and drop off are usually included.

Combine forest and water on your Japan itinerary with a guided half-day trek to Janokuchi Waterfall in Yakushima’s southern forests. The trail winds through lush subtropical greenery, moss-covered rocks, and gentle river crossings, with your guide pointing out rare plants and signs of wildlife. At the end, a dramatic 30-meter waterfall spills into a clear pool for a quiet pause in nature.

In the afternoon, take to the river on a guided SUP session on the calm Anbo River, or on the quieter Miyanoura River when tide conditions allow. The two-to-three-hour outing includes instruction, safety gear, and shuttle pickup, with chances to spot birds and, at times, monkeys along the banks.

Spend your final full day on Yakushima at an unhurried pace, starting with a peaceful self-guided hike from the Kusugawa Trail trailhead near your hotel. The short, gentle climb rewards you with panoramic views of mossy peaks, ancient cedar forests, and misty ridgelines, ideal for quiet reflection and photography.

In the afternoon, take a scenic drive or a custom cycling route along the Seibu Rindo Forest Path, where deer and monkeys often appear.

End the day with a visit to the Yakusugi Museum in Anbo, or treat yourself to creamy matcha soft serve at Hachimanju Tea Garden for a last taste of the island.

Time your visit with the tides and soak at either Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen or Yudomari Onsen, natural hot spring baths set right at the ocean’s edge. Sink into mineral-rich water as waves roll in nearby, and rugged coastal views set the scene for a deeply restorative farewell.

Afterward, return to your hotel to pack, then transfer to the port or airport for departure. Leave Yakushima with lasting memories of ancient cedars, wild rivers, and quiet coastal moments from your tailor-made Japan trip.