Yakushima Island Japan Travel Postcard

Yakushima Island, located off the southern coast of Kyushu in Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture, is a lush, mountainous island famed for its ancient cedar forests and abundant rainfall. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, much of Yakushima is protected within Yakushima National Park, which preserves a primeval landscape of moss-covered boulders, crystal-clear rivers, and towering yakusugi cedar trees, some over 1,000 years old. The most famous of these is Jōmon Sugi, estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,000 years old, which can be reached via challenging full-day hikes. The island’s steep terrain rises from subtropical beaches to alpine peaks, creating a wide range of ecosystems within a compact area. Wildlife thrives in Yakushima’s untouched habitats, from the playful Yakushima macaque to the sika deer that roam the forests. The island is also a key nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles, which come ashore in summer to lay their eggs. Visitors can explore scenic waterfalls like Ōko-no-taki, relax in natural hot springs, and wander trails that inspired the lush forest scenes in Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke. With its mystical atmosphere, ever-present mist, and deep green landscapes, Yakushima offers an immersive experience into one of Japan’s most enchanting natural environments.