On the Japanese island of Yakushima is a special set of trees called the Nakama Banyan. These banyan trees, which are a type of fig trees, have grown together into an arch – providing an excellent place for photos!

In Japan, Yakushima is the northernmost island on which Banyan trees, which are native to to tropical regions in Asia and are also the national tree of India, grow. Just like other types of figs, Banyans require fig wasps for pollination. The seeds are then dispersed by fruit-eating birds.

The seeds that fall on other trees or buildings are most likely to survive, which they do by spreading their roots down to the ground. In the process, they may cover part or the entirety of their host. As a result, they are sometimes called “strangler” trees.

Another feature of Banyan trees are their aerial roots, which are used to hold up the tree as it grows. These roots harden over time, forming “pseudotrunks” that make it look like the tree is actually a large collection of trees.

There are many Banyans on Yakushima but this is one of the few that has been confirmed to be multiple Banyan trees. The easiest way to get there is by car, which will take approximately one hour. It sits at the southern end of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Coastal Road, so it can be combined with that.

Alternatively, if you do not have a car, it is possible to get there by bus. From the ferry terminal, head to the No.123 Nakama bus stop, which sits between Nakama Beach and the Nakama Banyan. Please check with the tourist information centre to find current information about bus routes and schedules (website in Japanese and English). There are tourist information centres in Miyanoura, Anbo and at the airport.

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