Kagoshima, Japan Dec. 27 Fri 6:25AM
Nature Island
Mother Nature sent Kagoshima a beautiful ancient island – Yakushima(屋久島) . The island, 504.88 km² in area, has a population of approximately 13,000. Access to the island is by ferry (7 or 8 times a day from Kagoshima, depending on the season) or by air to Yakushima Airport. Yakushima has kept its beauty for so long, and it was listed in UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1993. Recently, the island has been gaining significantly more popularity in travel amongst foreign travelers, and it's easy to see why.
The whole island is covered by a Japanese cedar (Sugi) forest which is considered Japan’s oldest living trees.
Some of them are over 1,000 years old and the oldest is probably over 7,000 years already. That is because of the unique climate of the temperate rainforest.
It takes time to get to the island, but it will definitely be worth it. We also recommend staying for more than 2 nights, since almost all the activity takes an entire day including the time to get to each destination. And there is more than one place to visit and see...
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...The amazing road with old, now unused rail tracks.
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...The different life within the forest. You will also be able to find sea turtles by the beach. If you go on the right season, you will even be able to see them lay eggs at night. Careful not to disturb them though!
There is also the matter of Yakushima resembling the "Princess Mononoke's forest" setting. The Yakushima inspired the Studio Ghibli animator Hayao Miyazaki during his making of Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke). The island's Shiratani Ravine is home to an area that is now dubbed "Princess Mononoke's Forest." There's even a sign that marks its entrance.
Yakushima is truly full of nature, and it makes you want to stop doing everything else, forget time and enjoy everything you see.
