In a forested spot with sea views, the Yakusugi Museum has informative, beautifully designed exhibits about yakusugi and the history of the islanders' relationship to these magnificent trees. The museum offers an excellent audio guide in English. It's conveniently located on the road leading up to Yakusugi Land. Two daily buses run to and from Miyanoura (¥960, 80 minutes, March to November).
Yakusugi Museum
Ōsumi Islands
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
6.95 MILES
This enormous yakusugi tree is estimated to be between 3000 and 7000 years old, and though no longer living, it remains a majestic sight. Most hikers…
Space Science & Technology Museum
19.91 MILES
Reopened in 2017 after an extensive re-design, Tanegashima's Space Centre, on the spectacular southeastern coast of the island, is a large parklike…
13.12 MILES
On the west coast is Yakushima's highest waterfall, at 88m. It's a five-minute walk from Ōko-no-taki bus stop, which is the last stop for some of the…
20.34 MILES
Nearby to the Space Centre, this coastline is home to a beautiful stretch of white sand popular with surfers. The best spot to enjoy it is the beach in…
13.67 MILES
On the island's northwest coast, Nagata Inaka-hama is a beautiful beach for sunsets, and it's where sea turtles lay their eggs from May to July. It's…
23.52 MILES
The west coast of Tanegashima is home to a 12km stretch of beach known as the Nagahama-kaigan (coastline) that is equally popular with diehard surfers and…
13.66 MILES
This nonprofit organisation has displays and information about turtles, mostly in Japanese. During nesting (June and July) and hatching (August) seasons,…
Yakushima Environmental & Cultural Village Center
9.19 MILES
In Miyanoura at the corner of the ferry-terminal road, this centre has exhibits about the island's natural environment and history, with limited English…
Nearby Ōsumi Islands attractions
6.95 MILES
This enormous yakusugi tree is estimated to be between 3000 and 7000 years old, and though no longer living, it remains a majestic sight. Most hikers…
2. Yakushima Environmental & Cultural Village Center
9.19 MILES
In Miyanoura at the corner of the ferry-terminal road, this centre has exhibits about the island's natural environment and history, with limited English…
12.92 MILES
This small, coarse-sand beach is located on the north coast of the island, about midway between Miyanoura and Nagata. It's a short walk from the Yahazu…
13.12 MILES
On the west coast is Yakushima's highest waterfall, at 88m. It's a five-minute walk from Ōko-no-taki bus stop, which is the last stop for some of the…
13.66 MILES
This nonprofit organisation has displays and information about turtles, mostly in Japanese. During nesting (June and July) and hatching (August) seasons,…
13.67 MILES
On the island's northwest coast, Nagata Inaka-hama is a beautiful beach for sunsets, and it's where sea turtles lay their eggs from May to July. It's…
7. Space Science & Technology Museum
19.91 MILES
Reopened in 2017 after an extensive re-design, Tanegashima's Space Centre, on the spectacular southeastern coast of the island, is a large parklike…
20.34 MILES
Nearby to the Space Centre, this coastline is home to a beautiful stretch of white sand popular with surfers. The best spot to enjoy it is the beach in…