Souvenirs

There are several souvenir shops selling yakusugi products, potteries, glasswork, seashell craftworks, and foods products, etc. You may get some original handcrafts that only one in the world. If you want, you can experience to make them at some souvenir shops. Recently, yaku-deer leather products are getting popular.

Yaku-sugi cedar wooden artifact

Yaku-sugi cedars are processed into wooden artifacts by craftsmen in Yakushima, as keeping special beauty and warmth of Yaku-sugi cedars feature.  The Yaku-sugi cedar artifacts have a wide range from affordable woodworks (e.g. a key ring, a bookmark and a cell-phone charm) to great and priceless art works (e.g. a valuable table, sideboard, and screen). Yaku-sugi cedar’s distinct aroma made people relax and the grain of Yaku-sugi cedars please the people’s eye.

Yaku-deer leather & horn artifact

Recently a deer meat processing factory was built so today its help to provide a stable supply of Yaku-deer meat and its by-product. Tanned Yaku-deerskins are soft, and become beautifully colored leathers and made into key rings, long wallets, small wallet/folding wallet, coin purse, and fashionable bags. You will find something you like or you can made-to-order your original one, and you can request to have your name engraved on it.

Yakogai, great green turban shell

Yakogai shell, large spiral shell with a diameter of 20 cm, was generally used not only food but also primitive tools in the prehistoric times. After the Nara Period it was treated as highly valuable decoration materials for Raden (shell inlay) work, and in the Heian Period (794 – 1185) it was highly prized as an ornamenting material for Heian aristocracies. Even at the present time, it is still a very valuable shell as a material of artifacts and can be seen in souvenir or craft shops. You can see several different shell-craftworks such as lamps, art objects, and accessories (pierced earrings, pendants, rings, bracelet, etc.), and sometimes you may see a selling whole yakogai shell itself.

‘Jomon-sui’, bottled natural mineral water

It is well known about the water of good quality in Yakushima. Jomon-sui, soft and mild bottled water product, is one of a notable natural water product in Japan. Water like this soft and mild complements variety of food and drink. It is said that a cup of tea made with Jomon-sui is fabulous.  You could purchase Jomon-sui at several places such as souvenir shops, supermarkets, internet shopping and vending machines.

Shochu (Japanese spirit distilled from local sweet potatoes )

Yakushima has two local shochu brewing companies and their shochu are made from sweet potatoes which harvested in Yakushima. “Mitake” is a leading alcohol product among of them and well-known brand throughout Japan for its taste. Nowadays more products are produced by them and there are more opportunity to try several taste of shochu.

Ponkan’ and Tankan’ (mikan)

Yakushima is the largest producer of “Tankan” which is a very juicy citrus fruit and is known for its rich aroma and sweetness. *Tankan harvest season: from February to March  Kagoshima Prefecture has designated “Yakushima’s Tankan” as one of Kagoshima Prefecture’s Brand Product because of its size and quality.

Ukon Turmerics, Gajutsu and Ukon herbal medicines

Yakushima’s Gajutsu and Ukon prodacts are often introduced on TV program. Zedoary, gajutsu, is rich in essential oils such as cineole, camphor, and azulene, which can help in regulating the intestines. It can also help with ameliorating gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloated stomach caused by hangovers, diarrhea, and minor stomach ailments. Java turmeric, kusuri ukon, contains much curcumin and is considered to be a benefit for people who drink alcoholic beverages. * Demand for turmeric as an herbal medicine in Japan is higher than as a spice for food. * Gajutsu & ukon: A medical herb with an aromatic rhizome, part of the ginger family, used in medicine.

Passion Fruit

Passion fruit is called Tokeiso (tokei means clock) in Japanese as its flower appearance is looks like a clock. The passion fruit harvest starts in July and became available at local supermarkets with its sweet scent. When you see wrinkles on its surface, it is perfect to eat. (It is so sweet and yummy.) It is good for much kind of confections, ice cream, fresh juice, jelly, savory dressing for salad and cooking sauce. Passion fruit is one of a popular agricultural product in Yakushima and its products also became popular with its sweet taste and aroma. You can easily find them in souvenir shops. The scenery of the tree with full of the passion fruit are awesome.

Yakutoro, a grated Japanese yam product

‘Yakutoro’, a grated yam product, is made in Yakushima and only use locally produced yam. Yaku-toro is very popular especially with busy consumers for its convenience. Because it is already peeled, grated and vacuum-packed, busy consumers just need to defrost it at room temperature and only set it on the table without cooking. Another reason for the popularity of Yakutoro is its high nutritive value and viscosity of yakutoro help to enhance the immune system.

Yakushima’s Green Tea & Other Tea Products 屋久島のお茶＆茶製品

Yakushima is known as the southern limit of tea tree cultivation and the start of the tea harvest is earliest in Japan. Tea tree is cultivated on a large scale on Yakushima and local tea manufacturers are produced several types of Japanese tea. In recent years, there are a wide variety of local tea products appearing on the market such as black tea, ‘matcha’ soft serve ice cream, local tea essential oil, tea flavored gelato, cakes, green tea bath powder, etc.

Natural salt 自然塩

Salt in Japan have been made from seawater since ancient times and extracting salt from seawater take quite a bit of work for people. There are several methods of getting salt from seawater in Japan. One of the traditional methods of extracting salt by boiling seawater in a shallow cauldron is utilized in Yakushima. In 1997 the salt monopolization law was abolished and local natural salt has recently been seen on the market. Thanks to its manufacturing method natural salt in Yakushima have a good reputation for its rich contents of minerals.  * Natural salt making experience tours are held at Nagata.