Overview

On this tour, you will experience the blessings of water and the life that it brings through various activities such as mountain climbing, nature walks, and river kayaking, and you will enjoy the joy of communing with nature.
Yakushima is an island with a circumference of 130 km located south of Kyushu. The island was formed by magma entering the seabed and becoming granite in ancient times. Because its mountains rise from the sea as if protruding into the sky, the island is referred to as the “Offshore Alps.” Water vapor from the warm sea around the island travels up the towering mountains and becomes rain clouds, resulting in what is said to be the heaviest rainfall in Japan. The abundant rain, which is said to fall “35 days a month,” nurtures the Yakusugi forests and the beautiful evergreen forests, which are over 1,000 years old. The rain becomes a river that sustains people.
Water from the river flows back into the sea, where it is again turned into rain clouds that return to the island.

Itinerary

Highlights

■ Climbing Mount Kuromi, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic view and you can see the forests, moors, and massive rocks of Yakushima
■ Kayaking and “stream climbing” in the clear Kurio River that flows from Mount Kuromi
■ A nature walk of the World Natural Heritage area where you can encounter wild animals and enjoy the evergreen forest
■ Yakusugi craft activity at a workshop where you can commune with nature

Location

Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southernmost part of the Island of Kyushu and is blessed with a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 19°C. A wide range of nature coexists there, including the sea, islands, forests, and volcanoes. There are about 600 large and small islands (including 26 remote populated islands) in the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Yakushima is an almost circular island with an area of ​about 500 km and a circumference of about 130 km. Located in the East China Sea, the island is about 65 km south of the mainland of Kagoshima Prefecture. Mountainous areas occupy about 90% of the island’s total area, and there are more than 40 mountains over 1,000 m. Mount Miyanoura, the highest peak in Kyushu, is one of them, which towers to a height of 1,936 m above sea level.
The island has a population of about 13,000 and there are 24 villages along the coast, each of which has its own unique history and culture.

Route map

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1

Group meets in Kagoshima & Transfer to Yakushima – Introduction

We will meet at Kagoshima Airport at around 2:30 PM and take a 40-minute flight to Yakushima Airport. If the weather is nice, you can see smoke spewing from the volcano Sakurajima just below.
When you arrive at Yakushima, take some time to get to know each other and the itinerary. You will arrive by car at the information center in 20 minutes. While looking at a map of Yakushima, we will provide an overview of the island and explain the itinerary. You will be excited about your trip the following day, check-in at THE HOTEL YAKUSHIMA OCEAN＆FOREST (or similar), which is the accommodation right in front of you. You will stay at this accommodation while in Yakushima, so you don‘t have to pack your luggage every morning. You can also rent outdoor gear. The HOTEL YAKUSHIMA is a Japanese-style inn overlooking the sea, but you will be provided with a Western-style rooms. The HOTEL YAKUSHIMA is fully equipped with a restaurant, a lounge, a public bath and sauna, and a laundry to provide you with a comfortable stay.

Day 2

Guided forest walking at world Natural Heritage Site

This will be a day that you can experience the life facilitated by Yakushima’s warm climate and abundant rainfall.
A highlight will be a nature walk in the World Natural Heritage area. We will be dropped off in the area of the western forest road about 1 hour from the hotel, and we will walk through the evergreen forest of the World Natural Heritage area to the coast for a round trip of 4 km (2.5 miles). The walking tour takes 2-3 hours. You can see rich natural forests where people lived until about 50 years ago. Now people have gone and the wild Yakushima macaques and deer enjoy the lush natural forest and its bounties. If the weather is nice, you can also see the Island of Kuchinoerabu, a volcanic island that continues to spew smoke from the coast.
We will spend the day going around the island counterclockwise. On the way, we will be dropped off at a beautiful sandy beach, which is the best sea turtle spawning ground in Japan. And also at a shochu factory that makes shochu with a mellow taste thanks to the abundance of soft water. You will have the thrill of seeing the Kurio River and Mount Kuromi, which are sites scheduled for the following day onwards, and gain a better understanding of the island’s geography, nature, and environment.
For dinner, we will head to a Japanese pub near the hotel and enjoy fresh fish and the local cuisine.

Activity: Walking
Difficulty level: 2

Day 3

Guided river kayaking & stream climbing in Kurio river

This will be a day where you can experience the abundant and splendid water of Yakushima.
We have prepared two activities: river kayaking and stream climbing. The setting is the Kurio River, which originates in Mount Kuromi where the main activity will take place. The Kurio River is the only river in Yakushima where mangroves remain, and the water is exceptionally clear.
It is a 1-hour drive from the hotel to the mouth of the Kurio River. Once we’re ready, we’ll start kayaking from downstream, where salt water and fresh water mix. While observing Mount Kuromi in the distance, we’ll paddle for about 90 minutes to travel upstream about 2 km.
We’ll exit our kayaks and enjoy lunch alongside the river, and then we’ll go upriver. This is known as “stream climbing”. This time of year is the perfect time to get into water. Let’s dive into the abundant and splendid water while sensing the power of granite and the thick and beautiful forest.
Before returning to the hotel, we’ll stop by a spot near the mountain and prepare ourselves mentally for the climb tomorrow. The next day, we’ll finally climb Mount Kuromi, which is the main activity. We will have dinner at a restaurant in town near the hotel and prepare for tomorrow.

Activity①: River kayaking Difficulty level: 2 Activity②: Stream climbing Difficulty level: 3

Day 4

Guided hiking to Mt Kuromidake (Main Activity)

Climbing Mount Kuromi, which is located on the central ridge of Yakushima at a height of 1,831 m above sea level, is a special activity that allows you to walk along a variety of mountain trails that include massive forests, beautiful, clear streams, high moors that are the southernmost in Japan, and bare granite. You can feel the diversity and richness of Yakushima with your whole body. On a sunny day, the 360-degree panoramic view from the mountain’s summit is magnificent, enhancing your sense of accomplishment.
We have arranged for a car that will leave the hotel before dawn (at 5:00 AM) to take you 1,360 m tothe start of the mountain trail at the Yodo River. The ride will take 90 minutes. The hike will take an average time of 9 hours, cover a distance of 10.2 km, and reach a height of 471 m above sea level.
Let’s take a crack at this main activity, spurred on breakfast bag boxes such as sandwiches specially prepared by the hotel, boxed lunches with rice balls wrapped in bamboo sheaths, and coffee breaks featuring coffee made with pure water from the river.
The last dinner in Yakushima is a barbecue. Please think back on the adventures you’ve had so far as you talk with your newfound friends

Activity: Hiking Difficulty level: 4

Elevation Profile
Guided hiking to Mt. Kuromidake (Main Activity)
Distance – 10.2 km/6.3 miles | Time – 9 hours | Elevation – 471 m/1,545 ft

Highest Point: 1,780 m | Lowest Point: 1,370 m

Day 5

Yakusugi cedar Workshop

The day after the main activity is a day for you to recover and prepare for the travel to Hokkaido.
You will have free time in the morning. Spend the time as you like. You can relax in your room, relieve your fatigue at the hotel’s spa, explore the streets around the hotel, or have fun shopping.
After lunch, we will prepare a craft activity in Yakusugi at a workshop where you can commune with nature. You can polish precious Yakusugi bogwood, one of the island’s bounties, to create an original gift which will be found nowhere else in the world. This will mark the end of your trip to Yakushima.
The return trip is a 2-hour boat ride to Ibusuki on the mainland of Kagoshima Prefecture aboard a hydrofoil.
At night in Ibusuki, cleanse your body from the inside out with a natural steam sand bath, rarely found elsewhere in the world, and a smoothie made from locally grown okra.

Activity: Yakusugi cedar Workshop Difficulty level: 1

Day 6

Farewell Breakfast & Transfer to Hokkaido for new adventure travel

Hotel departure is at 8:00 AM. Take the express bus to Kagoshima Airport. From Kagoshima Airport, go to New Chitose Airport via Tokyo Haneda Airport. From New Chitose Airport, please take the JR Rapid Airport Express to Sapporo. You should arrive in Sapporo around 4:30 PM.

Accommodations

What’s included

• 5 nights’ accommodation
• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
• All activity fees as described in the itinerary
• All transport as described in the itinerary
• Snacks and refreshments
• English speaking guides with smile

Not included

• All transport as not described in the itinerary
• Alcoholic drinks with included meals
• Personal expenses

Travel to the Meeting Point

We will meet in Kagoshima Airport between 13:30 and 14:30 on the first day.
If you are coming from Tokyo, please board the plane departing Haneda Airport by 12:30.
It is a 2-hour flight from Haneda Airport to Kagoshima Airport.
If you are coming from Osaka, please board the plane departing Osaka International (Itami) Airport by 13:15. The flight from Itami Airport to Kagoshima Airport is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The bus ride from Kagoshima City to Kagoshima Airport takes about 50 minutes, and buses depart every 10 to 20 minutes.
We will ask you about you plan to reach the meeting place in advance. Please feel free to discuss your travel plan with us.

We provide & What to bring

We provide
• First-aid kit
• Safety equipment and maps
• A life jacket, wading shoes, and a wetsuit for river activity

What to bring

Essentials
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Mid- to high-cut hiking boots
• Base layers top & bottom
• Spare pairs of socks
• Gloves, beanie, and other items to keep you warm
• Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Quick-dry hand towel
• Toiletries
• Personal medications
• Rain cover for backpack
• Backpack with enough capacity to carry all the above
• Travel insurance
• Passport
• Cash in Japanese yen. Small restaurants and shops in rural parts of Japan do
not accept credit cards. You can withdraw cash from an ATM at the post office.

Recommended items
• Walking poles
• Cellphone power bank
• Dry bags
• Extra snacks which you’re used to eating while hiking
• Swim suit for river activity and bathing in onsen
• Rubber flip-flops
• Camera

Guide

Cameron Joyce
from YAKUSHIMA EXPERIENCE

I have been guiding eco-tour projects since 1994 and adventure tourism since 2001. I decided to come to Japan to help build a new bungy jumping company in Gunma in 2006.
After visiting Yakushima in 2010, I fell in love with the island and immediately decided to set up our new guiding company.
“Yakushima is a special Pacific island. I take great pleasure in introducing the island to our guests”.

Junichi Aida (Jun)
from Yakushima Geographic Tour

Jun is a year-round mountain and river guide in Yakushima. So he guides hiking, river kayaking and stream climbing. His guiding experience in Yakushima starts since 1998. He spent two years to train skills and knowledge as a nature guide in Canada. He is looking forward to welcoming guests to Yakushima and helping them to discover natural beauty and wonders of Yakushima.

Support Guides

Taro Watanabe
Born in Tokyo, he moved to Yakushima in 2002 and started his guiding business.
His hobbies include climbing and farming.
“I look forward to informing many people about nature and the lives of people in Yakushima, which I love”.


Satono Yamasaki
Born in Tokyo, she moved to Yakushima with Cameron in 2011 and started an English guide company. She has been involved with adventure tourism in both Australia`s Great Reef scuba diving, and then bungy jumping in Gunma after 2006.
“I love cooking with wild plants and seasonal ingredients, and swimming in Yakushima’s beautiful river. Let’s have fun together in nature”.


Kenji Koga
Born in Fukuoka, Koga began guiding in 2000. He also shoots stills and movies. He has a love for plants.
“I will give you a hand when we go stream climbing”.


Akihiro Wada
Born in Kanagawa. Moved to Yakushima in 2008.
“I enjoy meeting people from different places on this unique island! Recently, I’ve been learning to film nature videos for people who want to enjoy the lights and sounds of Yakushima but who cannot come”.


Mizuha Higashi
Born in Kagoshima and raised in Fukuoka, she moved to Yakushima about 20 years ago and started guiding after 2001.
“My motivation is lure fishing. I am also interested in the mountain view from the sea. I would like to describe the profound nature of Yakushima in an easy-to-understand way”.

Information and Requirements

Dietary Restrictions
We believe that eating like the locals is the best way of experiencing Yakushima’s unique culture. However, we understand that it’s not possible for everyone to do this and we’re more than happy to cater for food allergies, dietary restrictions and special requirements.
If you have any diet restrictions or preferences, please tell us in the Registration Form at the time of booking, and we will do our best to accommodate your dietary needs.
Since Yakushima is a remote island, we may not be able to fully comply with your requests, but we will try our best to close that gap by closely communicating with you beforehand.

Emergency Response Plan
The organizators have created a Travel Safety Committee chaired by a safety supervisor (the Head of the Independent Operator Division) appointed by the Group’s President. Based on Travel Safety Management, the safety supervisor follows the PDCA cycle to better assure safety and security.
The guide for this tour is qualified in rendering wilderness first aid. He always brings necessary medical supplies with him. Moreover, all of the staff are adept at detecting at detecting dangers particular to Yakushima based on their years of experience as guides.
We also have a contact system with the police department, fire department, and hospitals.
In the tours we conduct, your safety is our highest priority.

Weather Conditions
The coast of Yakushima has a temperate climate, with the average air temperature in September ranging from a high of 28ºC to a low of 22ºC. However, the air temperature cools to around 15ºC when climbing Mount Kuromi.
The most salient feature of the area is that it often rains. It is not uncommon for the weather on Yakushima to completely differ depending on the location, e.g. in the mountains or in villages and on the east and west sides of the island, on the same day and at the same time. Be sure to always bring rain gear.
In addition, typhoons also strike in September.
While checking the weather on the day in question, we will do our best to adapt to the situation, e.g. by reorganizing activities, but an activity may be canceled if an alarm is issued.
Like in life, one of the joys of a trip to Yakushima is that it may not necessarily go as planned.