Yakushima
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Yakushima - Nature
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Kagoshima - port
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Nagata - Yakushima
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A natural getaway in Yakushima

Duration : 4 days
Locations : Kagoshima

Embark on a 4-day road trip by car through the mystical island of Yakushima, located off the coast of Kagoshima, Japan.

Yakushima has a unique atmosphere for you to immerse yourself in, an island run wild with lush forests and sandy beaches unlike most places found in Japan.

From discovering the island landscapes by car, to hiking in the heart of the thousand-year-old trees, this excursion will make you discover all the mysteries the island mysteries and provide you with an unforgettable adventure in Japan!

You'll discover majestic waterfalls, suspension bridges that seamlessly blend with the island's scenery, make unexpected encounters with the island wildlife, such as deer, and relax in an open-air onsen!

Soak up the mesmerizing natural beauty of Yakushima Island, which served as the inspiration for the legendary Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke...

4 days / 3 nights itinerary:

Departure city: Kagoshima
Nagata (1 night)
Anbo (2 nights)
Return city: Kagoshima

Please find the itinerary details below

IMPORTANT:
- If your driving license was issued in France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, or Taiwan, it is not valid in Japan, so you will need a certified Japanese translation, available in option.
- If your license was not issued in one of the countries listed above, please make sure to obtain an international driving permit in your home country, as it is required to drive a car in Japan.

Why choose this excursion to Japan?

Discover Yakushima, a small, surprising island, almost entirely covered by forest
Car rental and driving license translation
Enter the magical world of Miyazaki by following in the footsteps of Princess Mononoke
Go hiking in the mountains with one of our guides
Enter into total immersion with Japanese culture
Detailed itinerary and recommendations from our experts, available in your digital travel diary

Your excursion in detail

Itinerary

Day 1 : First steps on the island

Depart from Kagoshima in the south of Kyushu by ferry out to the port of Miyanoura.
This is your arrival destination on the island of Yakushima itself, a true green haven of peace.
You'll arrive around noon and start your journey by enjoying a quality Japanese lunch at a restaurant specializing in local cuisine.
Then, it's time to pick up your rental car to start exploring the island!
After a few minutes of driving, you can already stop to do your first short hike which takes you to visit a Shinto shrine in the heart of the dense forest.
A few steps away, you will also find a picturesque beach.
Why not go swimming if the weather is nice?
Continue on your way and take a break at a scenic viewpoint to take photos of the natural scenery, especially beautiful at sunset.
You will then arrive at your hotel, where you will spend the evening with dinner included.
Day 2 : Coastal Treasures & Magnificent Valley

Depart by car to explore one of the largest valleys of Yakushima: You will discover a peaceful corner of nature in the heart of a forest with dense vegetation with its crystal clear streams and picturesque waterfalls.

After this escapade, hit the road again. You will pass by many places that are worth the detour:
- With its bright white sand stretching for several kilometers along the coast, this beach offers a striking contrast to the turquoise and crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean
- An incredible lighthouse which will allow you to enjoy beautiful sea views
- A road where you will come across wild animals
- A magnificent natural waterfall
You will have lunch in the pretty town of Kurio, where you will find many local restaurants.
Then head back on your way by car where you will see some very beautiful places:
- Several Shinto shrines
- Magnificent waterfalls
- A majestic Banyan Tree, which is a dizzying variety of fig tree. It has roots that emerge from its branches and descend toward the ground, forming new trunks. This gives the impression that the tree has several trunks connected together. It’s beautiful to see!
Then go to your accommodation: Yakushima Green Hotel or equivalent standard accommodation.
Dinner and overnight stay in your hotel.
Day 3 : A trip up the mountain of Yakushima Island

Breakfast is complimentary at your accommodation, after which your guide will pick you up from your hotel. You will continue to discover the awe-inspiring scenery of the island of Yakushima during this day of mountain climbing (approx 8 hours) on less trails that are not as frequented by most hikers! Your guide will be sure to accommodate your hiking abilities, comfort levels, and the weather conditions at the time.
With its elevation of 1936 meters, Mount Miyanoura is the highest point, not just on Yakushima Island, but in all of southern Japan. This brings a variety of climates that allows the growth of alpine or subtropical plants, including many endemic species. The most recognizable are perhaps the “Yakusugi”, imposing multi-millennial cedars that can be found at altitude. To ensure the preservation of its ecosystems, the central part of the island has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, in addition to the national park as a whole.
For fans of Studio Ghibli, this is a place of magnificent nature that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's “Princess Mononoke”. You will have the chance to follow in San's footsteps and, if you pay enough attention, you may even meet Kodama, the little spirits of the forest...
Lunch is included for the day. Return to your accommodation after a long day of hiking for dinner, also included.
Day 4 : Coastal Walk and Return to Kagoshima

Once again enjoy breakfast at your hotel and depart by car for your last day on the island of Yakushima.
Along the way, you can admire several gems of the coastline, with panoramic views of the ocean, tall cliffs, and white sand beaches.
You will then arrive at Miyanoura, where your journey on Yakushima Island first began.
Return your vehicle at the car rental agency, then enjoy one last lunchtime meal on the island in a traditional restaurant.
It's time to return to Kagoshima!
The departure of the ferry from the island's port is at 1:30pm
Arrive in Kagoshima on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan at 5:40pm

Included in your self-guided excursion

Accommodations
1 night in 3* accommodation in Nagata
2 nights in 3* accommodation in Anbo
Transportation
- Round trip by ferry: Kagoshima - Miyanoura
- Car rental for 4 days
Visits and meals
-Half board in all establishments
-Mountain ascent with a guide
-Lunch included

Additional services

Additional services
- Driving license translation
- Complete digital travel diary before your departure
- 7/7 telephone support from 8am to 10pm, in English
Not included in the price of your excursion
- Optional insurance
- Personal expenses (including lunches)
- Anything that is not in the “included in your tour” section

Learn more

Your tour:

- Prices displayed on this page may vary depending on the Japanese Yen exchange rate.

- This excursion is unfortunately not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

- Pets are not allowed

- Children and babies are accepted. From 3 to 11 years old a child rate is offered. In each accommodation, they will be offered a standard adult bed, and they will be assigned a standard seat on transport. From 0 to 2 years inclusive, a “baby” rate is offered. This price corresponds to the allocation of a baby cot in the majority of accommodations on the chosen excursion. However, we cannot guarantee a baby cot in all accommodation.

- The program may be subject to modification due to weather conditions or any other force majeure. Please note that any information mentioned is subject to change or adaptation. Your travel documents will be given to you as follows:

- Travel diary by email before departure

-Paper documents (airport transfer ticket, transport card, Japan Rail Pass voucher) and Pocket WiFi upon arrival at the airport by our airport assistant.

- Please note that at least one person taking part in the trip must have a driving licence valid in their country. and an international driving licence. However if your driving license was issued in France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, or Taiwan, it is NOT valid in Japan even with an IDP, so you will need an official Japanese translation. Please contact us for details if needed.

- In rare cases, mainly in very high season, steps may be reversed. You will be informed of this in your mini-travel guide. Thank you for understanding.

Your accommodation:

- Some accommodations may ask you for a tourist tax upon arrival. It depends on the cities and even the accommodations, because some do not include it in the cost of the reservation. It generally amounts to ¥200/night/person (around €1.60). It must be paid in cash at reception.

- Single room: People traveling alone and/or wishing to reserve a single room must pay a supplement when booking. Please note that in the event of a single room supplement for an order of more than 2 people, it will be applied in all accommodation except in ryokans (3 and 4*). Indeed, as this is traditional accommodation, people under the same reservation are grouped together in spacious rooms that can accommodate up to 5 people.

- 3 person room: If there are 3, 5 or more of you and you do not select the individual supplement, you will be allocated a triple room.

- As part of a group order (> 5 people), it may be possible, depending on the availability of accommodation, that not all members of the group are accommodated in the same accommodation. We will situate you as close together as possible.

- Names of accommodation: The names indicated on the site are for information only. In the event of unavailability, accommodation of equivalent standard will be provided.

- Not all accommodations will have rooms with beds, you may sleep on comfortable futons.

Your transport:

- Included in the excursion are ferry trips there and back, and a car rental

- Japanese driving license translation is included in your tour and mandatory. We take care of all the necessary steps once you have given us a valid driving license. Once in Japan, the translation of the driving license accompanied by the original license allows you to drive legally and easily. This translation is only necessary for driving licenses from the following countries: France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Monaco and Taiwan. For licenses issued in other countries, you must have an international driving license. We book one car for 1 to 5 participants. If you would like an additional car, do not hesitate to contact us.

- Although the process may vary by country, be sure to apply for your international driving permit well in advance, as it typically takes time to be issued. Additionally, it is your responsibility to check the specific laws and regulations regarding international driving permits in your country.

- Gasoline will be at your own expense

Your visits:

Mountain ascent with a guide: your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 9am, and the activity will last until 5pm Your meals, transportation and visits are all included. Your guide will be French and/or English speaking depending on their availability. More details will be in your travel diary.

Your meals:

- Breakfasts and dinners are included in the price of your excursion.

- For lunch, you will find restaurants recommended by us in your travel diary.

Cancellation policy:

A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm your reservation. The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than 35 days before the departure date.

In case of cancellation, the following fees apply: