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 animals, live in relative peace and safety.

Not far from the start of Yakushima’s UNESCO World Heritage Listed Coastal Road, getting to Yokko Keikoku Valley is simple. From Miyonoura (where the ferry to Kagoshima city arrives), simply head west and follow the islands main road, Route 78, until you get to Nagata. This will take about 30 minutes or 50 if you are coming from the airport. In Nagata, you will see signs for the Yokko Keikoku Valley. Simply follow these and they will lead you to the entrance, which has a small parking lot and toilet facilities.

There nearest bus stops 1.6 km (~1 mile) away in Nagata. You will then need to walk uphill to get to the trail head.

From here, there is a trail that goes for less than a kilometre along the side of the river before ending at the river itself. There are several small waterfalls and large granite boulders that are mostly flat. If you are wearing the correct shoes (I would recommend hiking shoes anywhere on Yakushima), you can walk on (and sometimes jump from/to) the rocks, which will give you interesting views of the surrounding forest, the river, the pools and small waterfall.

Here are some more photos from the valley:

I was also able to take some short videos:

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