yakushima
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Yakushima: The Southern Coast’s Rocky Beauty
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Nakama Banyan: Friendship Trees
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…
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Ne Vegan Restaurant: Yakushima Hidden Gem
When we booked a week-long holiday to Yakushima for the end of October 2024, we thought we were going to have amazing weather. Summer is over, so the oppressive heat and humidity would be finished. Moreover, typhoon season is usually only until the beginning or middle of October, so we should have been fine. Unfortunately…
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Yokko Keikoku Valley: Nagata’s Massive Granite Boulders and Serene Pools
Near the settlement of Nagata on Yakushima is Yokko Keikoku Valley (横河渓谷), a nature reserve that contains the upper part of the Nagata River. The Yokko Keikoku Valley is a forested valley that has been cut over thousands of years by the river, creating a nature reserve where Yakushima deer and macaques, along with other…
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Yakushima UNESCO World Heritage Listed Coastal Road with Wildlife
With much of the island of Yakushima being a natural reserve, along with giant ancient cedar trees like Jomonsugi, it is not necessarily surprising that it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the west coast of the island is the World Heritage Listed Coastal Road with Wildlife, known as Seiburindou (支部林道, Western district…
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Jomonsugi: Ancient Cedar Trees and Hiking Yakushima National Park
On the island of Yakushima (Japan) in the Yakushima National Park stand many proud and ancient cedar tree of the genus Cryptomeria japonica, but none compare to Jomonsugi, the oldest of this species in the world. Dating between 2,170 and 7,200 years of age, its ancient wisdom is even reflected in the name; Jomon refers…
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Guest House Friend: Yakushima (A Review)
About Guest House Friend Guest House Friend is located in the town of Miyanoura, one of two ferry towns on the island of Yakushima south of Japan’s Kyushu island. Also known as “Minshuku Friendo” (民宿ふれんど) in Japanese, it is located in the middle of the town. Guest House Friend is a privately-owned guest house which…
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Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen: Yakushima’s Thermal Bath with a View
Part of Kagoshima Prefecture, Yakushima lies to the south of the Kyushu mainland. On the southern part of the island is Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen – an onsen which makes its debut at low tide. It is a rare underwater hot spring that is only accessible at certain times of the day. Underwater onsen The natural…
