Yakushima is an island located on the southeast coast of Japan. It is officially recognized by UNESCO and has been on the World Heritage List since 1993. Yakushima is an extraordinary travel destination, also referred to as the magic island, as more than seventy five percent of the place is covered by dense forests and mountains. The mountain tops are covered with snow throughout the winter and the climate in the coastal areas is subtropical. These mountains receive heavy rainfall, making Yakushima's climate humid compared to other parts of Japan. The word Yakushima means medicine scientists from the island of Medicine and around the world have been cultivating local herbs for various cures for a long time.
Walking the island along a main road, beautiful mountains, avenues and waterfalls attract many travelers and nature lovers along the way. Fruit gardens and museums are some of the main tourist attractions that make Yakushima a captivating place. The fruit garden is on the southwest coast of the island, strolling leisurely among tropical trees and fruit plants. Museums and visitor centers in Yakushima display the island's natural wonders. They also offer a knowledge ride of the history of Yakushima Island.
This mountainous region offers a heap of beautiful scenery. There are two waterfalls, "Okonotaki" and "Senpironotaki," away from the main road. There are also sprawling beaches on the island, the most famous of them being "Nagata-Inca-Hama". If you visit the island between the months of May - August, you may encounter giant sea turtles. They come ashore to lay eggs late at night (or early in the morning, depending on how you look at it), between 1 am and 2 am.
Some buses run between major destinations inside the island, but renting a car in Yakushima is practically a must. It is a long way from Tokyo and requires a ferry or flight from Kagoshima, but is well worth the hassle for those of you hungry for some adventure.
