Things to Do in Yakushima (屋久島町), Kagoshima: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Yakushima (屋久島町) in Kagoshima Prefecture (Kyushu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Jōmon Sugi Ancient Cedar (縄文杉), Shiratani Unsuikyō Moss Ravine (白谷雲水峡), Mount Miyanoura (宮之浦岳, 1,936 m) and served by Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) via the regional hub at Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ). Set at 46 m elevation (30.3900°N, 130.6511°E), Yakushima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Kagoshima Kurobuta (Berkshire black pork tonkatsu & shabu-shabu), Satsuma-age (savory fried fish cakes), Kagoshima ramen & Kibinago (silver-stripe round herring sashimi) cuisine and exploring neighboring Minamitane (南種子町) (24.9 km), Nakatane (中種子町) (33.8 km), Nishinoomote (西之表市) (50.5 km), Mishima (三島村) (55.8 km).

The town is on the island of Yakushima and Kuchinoerabujima. Major settlements of the island are the port towns of Anbō and Miyanoura. Other settlements are the coastal villages of Hiranai, Kuriobashi, Nagata, Okonotaki and the abandoned forest village of Kosugidani. On October 1, 2007, the town was formed by the merger of the towns of Kamiyaku and Yaku, both from Kumage District. Within Kagoshima Prefecture, Yakushima (屋久島町) serves as a unesco island town in Kagoshima Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2007-10-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Smoking volcano of Sakurajima across the bay (15m ferry), Sengan-en samurai garden, Ibusuki natural volcanic sand baths (Sunamushi), Kirishima Onsen, and UNESCO World Heritage island of Yakushima.

What to See & Do in Yakushima (屋久島町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Yakushima (屋久島町) from Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) at 46 m elevation (30.3900°N, 130.6511°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Yakushima):

• Jōmon Sugi Ancient Cedar (縄文杉) — local sightseeing landmark near Yakushima (屋久島町).
• Shiratani Unsuikyō Moss Ravine (白谷雲水峡) — local sightseeing landmark near Yakushima (屋久島町).
• Mount Miyanoura (宮之浦岳, 1,936 m) — local sightseeing landmark near Yakushima (屋久島町).
• Yakusugi Land — local sightseeing landmark near Yakushima (屋久島町).
• Senpirō Falls (千尋の滝) — local sightseeing landmark near Yakushima (屋久島町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Yakushima: Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) (connecting to Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Yakushima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Yakushima (屋久島町) and Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kagoshima Prefecture and Kyushu:

• Minamitane (南種子町) — 24.9 km from Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
• Nakatane (中種子町) — 33.8 km from Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
• Nishinoomote (西之表市) — 50.5 km from Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
• Mishima (三島村) — 55.8 km from Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
• Minamiōsumi (南大隅町) — 82.3 km from Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture)

Getting to Yakushima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Yakushima (屋久島町) via Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM): 1h 25m from Fukuoka (Hakata) or 3h 55m direct from Shin-Osaka on the JR Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura/Mizuho. From Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) to reach central Yakushima (30.3900°N, 130.6511°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Kagoshima with Yakushima (屋久島町) and neighboring Minamitane, Nakatane, Nishinoomote. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Yakushima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Yakushima and continuing toward Minamitane can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Yakushima: While Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) anchors public transit for Yakushima, picking up a rental car at Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ) makes it easy to link Jōmon Sugi Ancient Cedar (縄文杉) and Shiratani Unsuikyō Moss Ravine (白谷雲水峡) with nearby Minamitane (南種子町) (24.9 km), Nakatane (中種子町) (33.8 km), Nishinoomote (西之表市) (50.5 km), Mishima (三島村) (55.8 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Yakushima (屋久島町) & Kagoshima

Dining near Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) and across Yakushima (屋久島町) highlights the regional food culture of Kagoshima Prefecture and Kyushu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Yakushima:

• Local specialty & terroir of Yakushima (屋久島町): historic maritime harbor trade (minatomachi), coastal shipping, and seafood markets.
• Kagoshima Kurobuta (Berkshire black pork tonkatsu & shabu-shabu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yakushima (屋久島町) and Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Satsuma-age (savory fried fish cakes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yakushima (屋久島町) and Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Kagoshima ramen & Kibinago (silver-stripe round herring sashimi) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yakushima (屋久島町) and Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Shirokuma (shaved ice mountain with condensed milk & fruit) & Imo-shochu — regional specialty enjoyed across Yakushima (屋久島町) and Kagoshima Prefecture.

If you are dining in Yakushima (屋久島町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM).

Where to Stay in Yakushima (屋久島町)

Visitors staying overnight in Yakushima (屋久島町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM), or base at major rail hubs in Kagoshima (Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)) or neighboring Minamitane, Nakatane, Nishinoomote for quick train access into Yakushima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Yakushima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Yakushima (屋久島町, 46 m elevation at 30.3900°N, 130.6511°E): Mild southern climate makes October–May ideal for Sakurajima views, Ibusuki hot-sand baths, and hiking Yakushima's ancient cedar forests.

Wider sightseeing across Kagoshima Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Jōmon Sugi Ancient Cedar (縄文杉) in Yakushima (屋久島町) includes: Smoking volcano of Sakurajima across the bay (15m ferry), Sengan-en samurai garden, Ibusuki natural volcanic sand baths (Sunamushi), Kirishima Onsen, and UNESCO World Heritage island of Yakushima.

Practical Travel Tips for Yakushima (屋久島町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Yakushima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ) or Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) for local bus schedules to Jōmon Sugi Ancient Cedar (縄文杉) and walking maps of Yakushima (屋久島町).
• Cash & ATMs in Yakushima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Jōmon Sugi Ancient Cedar (縄文杉) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Yakushima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Yakushima: Around Miyanoura Port & Anbō Port (High-speed Toppy/Rocket hydrofoil to Kagoshima, 2h–2h30m) · Yakushima Airport (KUM) and neighboring Minamitane, Nakatane, Nishinoomote, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.