Tips for your enjoyable stay

◆　Website Information for Your Safe Travels

Japan Tourism Agency (http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/index.html)
・Safety tips for travelers
https://www.jnto.go.jp/safety-tips/eng/
・Guide for when you are feeling ill
https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html
・Safety information Card（観光庁ウェブサイト内）
http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/page08_000094.html
・Useful tools to offer information to international visitors
http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001266746.pdf

Japan National Tourism Organization (https://www.japan.travel/en/)
・Japan Safe Travel Information: website list related to safe travels and transportation
（日本政府観光局ウェブサイト内のリスト） https://www.japan.travel/en/news/JapanSafeTravel/

Weather Information, Warnings and Advisories

NHK World-JAPAN
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/

Japan Meteorological Agency
https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

Transportation Information

JAPAN AIRLINES (JAC) Flight Information
https://www.jal.co.jp/cms/other/en/weather_info_dom.html

Direct Ferries
To find timetables, prices, and to book “Toppy & Rocket” Tane Yaku Jetfoil
https://www.directferries.com/

☝ Things you need to know

Be aware of the weather conditions because the weather in Yakushima is unpredictable.
【Roads】Some prefectural roads and town roads going to the mountains as mentioned below may be closed due to bad road conditions and bad weather.

e.g.) Rainy season in June, typhoon season through summer to autumn, heavy snow and ice in winter, and when heavy rain warning is issued

・Shiratani Unsuikyo Miyanoura Line
the road going to Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine
・Yakushima Koen Anbo Line
a prefectural road going to Yakusugi Land. Arakawa Trail Entrance and Yodogawa Trail Entrance users have to pass through this road. When this road is closed, the Arakawa Mountain Bus services for the climbers to Jomonsugi will also be cancelled.
・Seibu-rindo Forest Path
a prefectural road passes through the western part of Yakushima
・Arakawa Line
a town road between Yakushima Koen Anbo Line and Arakawa Trail Entrance, a starting point for the climbers to Jomonsugi. When Yakushima Koen Anbo Line is closed, you cannot use this road to go to Jomonsugi.
・Yodogawa Line
a town road connecting Yakushima Koen Anbo Line and Yodogawa Trail Entrance. When Yakushima Koen Anbo Line is closed, you cannot use Yodogawa Trail Entrance to start your climb and to see Kigensugi Cedar.

【Tranaportations】Under dangerous conditions, such as typhoon, heavy rain, flooding, high-wave, earthquake and so on, transportation services may also be cancelled or running conditionally. * The port for the arriving “Toppy & Rocket” jet-foil may be changed from Anbo to Miyanoura when the typhoon is approaching or bad weather.
If you are going to Shiratani Unsuikyo and Kigensugi by local bus, please check the bus schedule in advance because the local bus lines may also be suspended.

KEEP SAFETY IN MIND

Rivers

Even on clear days the rain in the mountains can cause the streams to rise suddenly and turn into a fast stream or flash flood. Be careful of rivers which may look calm. There may be strong down currents beneath the surface of the river that can suck you in.

Mountain Trails Crossing Creeks

Many mountain trails on Yakushima cross creeks which may swell and become very dangerous in the event of rain. Do not cross swollen creeks. Wait until the water subsides and is safe to cross or take a safer route.

Normal condition

→

After a rain

Beach Safety Tips

Many swimming areas have steep sudden drop-offs. Also there are slippery reefs and tidal pools. Please be aware of it for your safety. Do not do marine activities alone.
During the swimming season, lifeguards are on duty at designated swimming areas.

– Beach Safety Tips –

●Check weather forecast before heading to the beach
– Designated beaches will be closed in times of bad weather. (Please ask locals if it’s open.)
●Please be aware of the depth of the water before diving in
– Please make sure it is deep enough.
●Stay in designated areas
– Please do not swim beyond the nets in designated swimming areas.
●Never swim by yourself or pick a spot close to a lifeguard in case you need help
●Never leave children alone in or near the water
●Do not forget to bring sunscreen
– You can get them at supermarket in Miyanoura and drug stores in Koseda.
●Be sure to bring plenty of water
– There may not be many beverage vending machines near the site.
●Wear footwear!
– Please wear footwear for prevention of injuries.
●Please follow all instructions from the lifeguards
– Please do not swim when beaches are closed.
☝Alcohol beverages, camping, and beach BBQ are banned on designated beaches.

☝ Is it worth it to pick one up?
　　– If you are not sure about it, you should stay away.

– The List of Sea Creatures to Watch Out for in Yakushima –

English name	Japanese name	Extra information
Geography cone snail (Amboina)	Imo-gai	You may easily find them, but they have very poisonous tentacles and it is considered to have deadly venom.
Blue-ringed octopus	Hyoumondako	Blue-ringed octopus has deadly venom 1,000 times more powerful than cyanide.
Portuguese man-of-war	Katsuono-eboshi Denki-kurage	It delivers a venomous sting, and in extreme case, may cause death.
Stonefish	Onidaruma-okoze	Stonefish has venomous dorsal spines capable of killing people.
Sea snake	Umi-hebi	Some sea snakes are more venomous than cobras.
Striped catfish eel	Gonzui	Striped catfish ells have poisonous spines and are deadly to humans.
Moray eel	Utsubo	Moray eels are commonly seen. Please do not disturb them. They have very sharp teeth and strong jaws, which may severely injure you.
Long-spine sea urchin	Gangaze	Their stings can be severely painful because their spines are mildly venomous.
Stingray	Akaei	Stingrays have venomous spines which can be fatal.
Lionfish	Minokasago	Lionfish is a breathtakingly beautiful creature with long venomous spines.

– The List of Terrestrial Creatures to Watch Out for in Yakushima –

English name	Japanese name	Extra information
Hornet	Suzume-bachi	Hornet stings can cause allergic reactions in some people. Call 119 if you are having a serious reaction to a hornet sting.
Japanese pit viper	Mamushi	‘Mamushi’ is a venomous pit viper. If a pit viper bites you, call 119.
Japanese giant Centipede	Mukade	Centipedes in Japan are poisonous and their bites can be very painful.
Japanese mountain leech	Yama-biru	Japanese mountain leeches are seen at wet locations in the mountains on Yakushima.
Horsefly	Abu	Horseflies are often seen in summer season. Their bites can be painful and make you itchy.

– The List of Weird-Looking but Common Creatures in Yakushima –

☝Do not worry, they are harmless creatures. Do not panic, they won’t bother and bite you.

English name	Japanese name	Extra information
Huntsman spider *There are many types of spiders, but no poisonous spiders on Yakushima.	Ashidaka-gumo	Huntsman spiders on Yakushima are large, but harmless. They are actually beneficial to people as they feed on house pests like cockroaches.
Vinegaroon Whip scorpion	Sasori-modoki	Vinegaroons looks like a scorpion, but they are a type of spider. You should stay away from them because they release an acidic spray that smells terrible.
Japanese Gecko	Yamori	Japanese Gecko is called ‘Yamori’ in Japanese which means ‘house guardian’ because it helps rid the house of pests.
Opisthoplatia orientalis (Burmeister)	Amame	Amame is a type of cockroach and is easily found very common in Yakushima.
House centipede	Gejigeji	House centipedes are a harmless, unlike Japanese giant centipede. It is good to keep them because they are known for killing pests

Extremely Beautiful Creatures…


‘Satsumanishiki’ Scientific name: Erasmia pulchella nipponica The most beautiful moth in Japan, but cannot easily be seen.	‘Hanmyo’ Scientific name: Cicindela japonica It is commonly known as the Japanese tiger beetle. There is also a subspecies of hanmyo on Yakushima.

‘Hachijyo-dakara’, Humpback Cowry Scientific name: Maurita mauritiana You may find a beautiful tropical sea snail like this.	‘Kabutomushi’ Beetle Scientific name: Trypoxylus dichotomus This is a male kabutomushi, which all Japanese kids love, and some kids actually keep kabutomushi as pets.