Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Okawa-no-taki
(
大川の滝
). Also spelled Ohko-no-taki, Great River Falls has a height of some 80
meters, making it one of the tallest falls in Japan. It is located on the southwest side of the island,
above Kurio village.
Yakushima Todai
(
屋久島灯台
). Perched on the island's westernmost point of Cape Nagata (
永田岬
),
the Yakushima Lighthouse is one of the most picturesque images of Yakushima.
The island's tallest mountains, many of which are over 5,900 feet (1,800 meters), are
mostly located at its center. The three highest are appropriately known as San-daké (
三岳
; lit.
“Three Peaks”). These are Miyanouradaké (
宮之浦岳
) at 1,935 meters (6,350 feet), Nagata-
daké (
永田岳
) at 6,188 feet (1,886 meters), and Kurio-daké (
栗生岳
) 6,125 feet at (1,867
meters).
If all this hiking has worn you out, Yakushima has several ways to relax. There are beaches
and there are hot springs baths (
onsen
) (
温泉
). One of the best
onsen
is right on the ocean
near Hirauchi, the Kaichuu Onsen. That's on the southern coast. Very close by is the Yudo-
mari Onsen, also on the ocean, and just a bit further to the east is the Onoaida Hot Springs.
On the island's northern shore, near Isso, you'll find the Ohura Hot Springs, and between
Miyanoura and the airport you'll see signs for the Kusugawa Onsen. In addition, the resort
hotels all have their own hot springs on their properties.
As for beaches, although Yakushima is not known as a beach destination, and indeed
most of its coast is much too rocky and steep for beach-goers, there are a few here and there.
