Yakushima Environmental & Cultural Village Center

Ōsumi Islands


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 signs. It screens a large-format 25-minute film (sparsely subtitled in English) at 20 minutes past the hour.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ōsumi Islands attractions

1. Issō-kaisuiyokujō

4.66 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…

2. Jōmon-sugi

5.94 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…

3. Nagata Inaka-hama

8.28 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…

4. Umigame-kan

8.3 MILES

This nonprofit organisation has displays and information about turtles, mostly in Japanese. During nesting (June and July) and hatching (August) seasons,…

5. Yakusugi Museum

9.19 MILES

In a forested spot with sea views, the Yakusugi Museum has informative, beautifully designed exhibits about yakusugi and the history of the islanders'…

6. Ōko-no-taki

12.98 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…

7. Nagahama-kaigan

22.6 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…

8. Space Science & Technology Museum

23.53 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…