English

Extra Information

• Yakusugi Land Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine Notice：Revisin of Admission Fees (December 1, 2025)
• Notice of town road, Todai-sen, closure (July 11, 2025)(PDFファイル:148.9KB)
• Winter Mountain-climbing on Yakushima：For your safety and enjoyable experience:KEEP SAFETY IN MIND
• Road Traffic Information: Damage caused by Typhoon No. 10 (SHANSHAN)(PDFファイル:503.8KB)
• Latest Information on Routes in the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine (Updated October 10, 2024)(PDFファイル:681.9KB)
• We strongly recommend checking the weather forecast before doing any outdoor activities on Yakushima for your safety and enjoyment.
• Senpironotaki Waterfall Path Opened to the Public on June 25, 2023（June 29,2023）(PDFファイル:461.3KB)
• Bus Users’ Information from Arakawa Tozanguchi  (June 12, 2024)(PDFファイル:544.7KB)
• The English version of the Arakawa Mountain Shuttle Bus trifold leaflet is now on our website.  (February 28th, 2025)
• The English version of Yakushima’s Disaster Preparedness Handbook with Hazard Map is now available online. (April 3, 2023)​

・Request to Yodogawa Traihead Parking Users（April 28,2022）
・How to use your smartphone as a GPS device for trekking.(PDFファイル:112.3KB)
・Notice of Yakushima Town Office English Website Renewal(PDFファイル:271.1KB)

On October 1, 2007, Kamiyaku Town and Yaku Town merged to form Yakushima Town. Yakushima Town is located 135 kilometers south of Kagoshima City and 60 kilometers south of the mainland of Kagoshima Prefecture. It consists of two islands, Yakushima Island and Kuchinoerabujima Island. Kuchinoerabujima Island is located 12 kilometers northwest of Yakushima Island. The total area of Yakushima Town is 540.98 square kilometers of which 98% is Yakushima Island. Yakushima Island is a round-shaped island with a circumference of 132 kilometer. Most of the island is mountainous with more than 45 mountains over 1000 meters high including the highest mountain in Kyushu, Mt. Miyanoura at 1,936 meters. Yakushima Island is also known as “The Alps on the Ocean.” Flat usable land on Yakushima Island is limited due to the mountainous terrain. In 1993, Part of Yakushima Island was registered as Japan’s first World Natural Heritage Site. Yakushima Island’s unique forest of Yakusugi cedar trees, thousands of years old, and the vertical distribution of vegetation ranging from a subtropical zone to a subarctic zone were recognized for its value as a world nature heritage. Yakushima Island is also known for its annual rainfall, around 4500 mm in the coastal areas and 8,000 – 10,000 mm in the mountains. Yakushima Island’s annual rainfall is more than double the rainfall of mainland Japan. Half of its yearly rainfall is from May to August. The average temperature of the coastal areas is a mild 20 degrees Celsius being located in a subtropical zone. The vertical distribution of climate on Yakushima Island ranges from the subtropical to the subarctic giving rise to the variation of vegetation. In winter, you may see snow on some mountains. Kuchinoerabujima Island is a beautiful green active volcanic island, 12 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide at its widest point. Mt. Shin, an active volcano at 657 meters, provides for several good hot springs around the seashore