Yakushima
Yakushima is a wet, quiet island in southern Japan, known for old cedar forests, mossy trails and long mountain walks.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Yakushima is an island in Kagoshima Prefecture, in southern Japan, part of the Ōsumi Islands south of Kyushu. Its cedar trees include the Jomon Sugi, estimated at more than 1,000 years old, and its mountain forests climb to about 1,900 meters at Miyanoura-dake. The island was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 1993. Its forests are among the wettest in Japan, so moss and ferns grow across much of the forest floor and trunks.
It suits a trip of two to four days built around walking, not a beach holiday. The main draw is the forest trails, including the long walk to the Jomon Sugi, which takes most of a day. Rain can fall in any season, so pack a rain layer. Buses cover few routes, so most visitors rent a car. Spring and autumn bring milder weather for hiking than the summer months, and October and November are the clearest.
Yakushima in five
- Book the ferry or flight firstBook the Kagoshima ferry or the flight into Yakushima Airport before anything else, since the crossing sets your dates. Schedules are limited, so check them for your exact days.Ōsumi Islands
- Rent a car before you arriveBuses on Yakushima cover few routes and do not reach every trailhead, so a rental car is the practical choice. Reserve it before you land or board.Getting around
- Start the Jomon Sugi walk at first lightThe trail is long, muddy and rooted, and it gets dark early on the walk out in winter. Carry water, food and a headlamp.
- Pack rain gear for every dayYakushima gets far more rain than most of Japan, and the mountain weather changes fast. Pack a shell jacket and quick-dry layers, since cotton stays wet.
- Carry yen for small shopsRural shops and small guesthouses often do not take cards. Withdraw yen before you reach the island, and keep some cash for the ferry and the trailheads.
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, snow on peaks
- FebruaryCold, wet
- MarchMild, cloudy
- AprilMild, clear
- MayWarm, green
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy, humid
- AugustTyphoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberDry, clear
- NovemberAutumn, clear
- DecemberCool, quieter
Right now in Yakushima
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Yakushima
07:47 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today13°9°98%Tuesday: Clear. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed15°9°2%Wednesday: Clear. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu16°11°62%Thursday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Fri14°5°57%Friday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sat10°2°0%Saturday: Clear. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun12°2°27%Sunday: Fog. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Mon11°3°52%Monday: Fog. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 52%.
Updated 05:03 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Jomon Sugiabout 1 to 1.5 hours by car to the trailheadOne of the island's oldest cedars, reached by a long forest trail. Plan a full day.
- Shiratani Unsuikyoabout 1 hour by car from MiyanouraA mossy valley of cedars and streams with short walks on the northeast side.
- Kagoshima cityabout 2 hours by jet ferryThe mainland port city where the ferry and flights arrive, and a useful stop on the way back to the rest of Japan.
Before you go to Yakushima
Rules for Yakushima, checked
- Visa-free short stays suit many passports; check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entry page before you book.Source
- Yakushima collects an environmental conservation tax from some visitors. Check whether it applies to you with Yakushima Town before you travel.
- Stay on marked trails in Yakushima National Park and take all rubbish with you; the forest is protected and the trails are fragile.
- Japan enforces a zero limit for drivers. Do not drive after drinking, even a small amount; take a taxi or stay in town.
Plan around Yakushima
The island group Yakushima belongs to, and how it links to Kagoshima
Read the guideGetting aroundFerries, flights and rental cars to and on the island
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayMiyanoura and the trailhead side compared
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile signal in the forest and how to get data on arrival
Read the guideYakushima FAQ
How do you get to Yakushima?
Take the ferry from Kagoshima, about 2 hours by the jet ferry or about 4 hours by the car ferry, or fly from Kagoshima to Yakushima Airport in about 35 minutes. Check current schedules, since timetables change by season.
Is Yakushima worth visiting?
Yes if you want old cedar forest, mountain trails and green scenery. It is a poor fit if you want calm beach weather or nightlife, since the island is mostly forest and rain is frequent.
How many days do you need in Yakushima?
Plan at least two nights so you can walk to Jomon Sugi and do a second forest or coast walk. A third day gives room for rain, which can cancel a mountain plan.
When is the best time to visit Yakushima?
April to May and October to November are the driest and clearest months. June to July brings the rainy season, and August to September carries typhoon risk.
Do you need a car on Yakushima?
In practice yes, because buses cover few routes and the main trailheads are a drive from town. Book a rental before you arrive.
Is Yakushima rainy?
Yes, it is one of the wettest places in Japan, and the mountains get far more rain than the coast. Pack rain gear and plan a backup day.