One of our most popular tours is the Yakushima Island Tour. Throughout the tour guests will learn about the rich history of the island, the unique culture and what it’s like to live on Yakushima. The tour stops at some of the well-known locations as well as some lesser-known favorite spots. On a full day tour, guests will be able to do a complete circuit of the island and stop off at many places of interest along the way.
We will always try to adjust the itinerary of the tour if guests have a specific request or interest. Most of the sites we visit are on the unpopulated side of the island, where there are few shops and restaurants, and so we provide a bento – a Japanese packed lunch. If you have dietary preferences then please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your dietary restrictions.
If you are leaving the island on the day of the tour then we can drop you directly at the port or airport instead. The island tour can also be adjusted for those that do not have a full day on the island, but wish to see as much as possible in a shorter time frame.
Guests can also take this tour as a day-trip to Yakushima from Kagoshima as the YES guide would meet guests from the Miyanoura Port in the morning and return the guests to the port for the last ferry back to Kagoshima.
BOOK THIS TOUR and/or ask YES for more details.
A selection of places that are commonly included on the YES Yakushima Island Tour are listed below. Please note that all locations would be included on a day tour. The direction of the Island Tour depends upon the guest`s hotel location, the weather and a variety of other factors. During the summer months then we can take guests to picturesque cool rivers and the beach should you like to swim.
Matsumine Bridge – a high bridge overlooking the stunning Anbo River. There are good views of the mountains, the conifer and laurel leaf forests and river kayaks down below. In the summer sea turtles can sometimes be spotted from the bridge and now and then there are a group of macaque running across the bridge.
Senpiro Waterfall – this waterfall sits at the back of an immense ‘V’ shaped granite valley that seems to belittle the waterfall which is actually a combined height of around 80 meters (there are two falls).
Torroki Waterfall – an unusual waterfall as it falls directly into the sea. There is a very photogenic scene with a red bridge and the imposing form of Mount Mocchomu in the background. Watch out for the shy, but equally photogenic, bright orange fresh-water crabs that often cross the path on the way. For those interested there can be a quick visit to the souvenir and local produce shop nearby.
Hirauchi Sea Spa – a stop off at the tidal hot spring. The hot spring can be entered a few hours before and after the low tide. If you would like to try this unique experience (200 yen per person) then please let us know and we will do our best to time your visit with the low tides. Please note that this is a unisex hot spring and swim wear cannot be worn. Wearing a towel in the water is allowed – though your fellow bathers might not bring their towel! As the Hirauchi Sea Spa is a public bath then a visit would be included in the tour if the guests have a genuine interest to enter the onsen.
Yakushima Pottery – some potteries on Yakushima still use wood-fired kilns and we are allowed to view them. Handmade glazes made from natural ingredients from around the island are also used. We can watch the potter at work and take a look at his work in the gallery.
Nakama Village – a small traditional village located in the south west of Yakushima. Nakama is known for its beautiful banyan trees. As you stroll through the narrow streets of this typical southern island community, you will get a glimpse of the living conditions and traditional island lifestyle of the local people. We often meet and chat to local people who are happy to share their time and stories (and quite often their local fruit produce).
Ohko Waterfall – the most impressive of the waterfalls, selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls, this 88 meter high surge of water ranges from a good flow of water to a powerful thunder of water crashing to the pool at the bottom. If you visit during / after heavy rain then it is a great sight! When the volume is not so great then guests can get very close to its spray by jumping across the rocks and view the emerald green pool at the base of the waterfall.
Seibu Rindo Forest path – a drive through the World Heritage zone along this beautiful, narrow, winding road cut into the steep mountainside. Along this road is the best chance to observe the Yakushika (Yakushima’s native deer) and Yakuzaru (the native Yakushima macaque). The YES guide offers lots of information about the animals and there usually many good photo opportunities.
Nagata – the golden sandy beaches of Nagata are a nesting site for the endangered loggerhead turtles. Guests can take a walk along the beach while your guide tells you all about these amazing creatures and if you visit between spring and mid-summer then you can see signs of the adult turtles that lay their eggs on the beach or the baby turtles that hatch from August through September. If there is time then we can also pay a visit to the Yoggo River Valley gorge, a wonderful natural swimming pool in a crystal clear river.
Nagamine Tea Fields – popular quick stop is at the tea shop for a delicious green tea ice cream or a visit and explanation around the tea processing plant. This visit also includes a drive through the green tea fields and we sometimes take guests to take a look over a high bridge with great views of Mt Aiko.
Tour Information
Yakushima Island Tour fee
１person: 30,000円 (private tour option + 12,000円)
2 people: 34,000円 (private tour option + 8,000円)
3 people: 39,000円 (private tour option + 4,000円)
4 people＋: 11,000円 per person
included in the price: lunch bento / transportation
Private tour option : there are occasions during high season periods when we have a high demand for tours and we are required to combine guests onto the same tour. If you wish to guarantee a private tour then please state this on the tour booking form.
BOOK THIS TOUR and/or ask YES for more details.
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge will be waivered only if adverse weather prevents the guest from arriving to Yakushima, or adverse weather forces us to cancel the tour. Under all other circumstances if a the guest cancels a tour then cancellation charges apply.
Cancellation Charges
| 7 days in advance | Free |
| 6ー4 days in advance | 30％ |
| 3 – 2 days in advance | 50％ |
| 1 day or on the day | 100％ |
