Activities

A stay at Samana Hotel Yakushima
is a gateway to
myriad experiences.

Yakushima has something for everyone, including first-time visitors and families.
With an extensive array of activities on offer, it’s easy to create the perfect plan
to fit your length of stay, the makeup of your group and more.

Hiking activities

Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine Taikoiwa Rock

Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine is widely known as the setting that inspired the film "Princess Mononoke." The hiking course stretches 6.5 km from Shiratani Plaza (600m above sea level) to Taikoiwa Rock (1,050m above sea level). From "Taikoiwa Rock," you can enjoy a panoramic view of Yakushima's central mountains, including Kyushu's highest mountain, Mt. Miyanoura. In the natural recreation forest, you can admire magnificent Yakusugi cedar trees over 1,000 years old. It is also renowned as one of the famous mossy forests in Yakushima.

Details

Jomon-Sugi Cedar

The round trip from Arakawa Trail Entrance (600m above sea level) to Jomon Cedar (1,300m above sea level) is approximately 22 km. This trekking course is full of highlights, including the history of Yakusugi logging, the famous heart-shaped “Wilson's stump”, the solemn atmosphere of the World Natural Heritage area,and ancient trees like Jomon-sugi Cedar and Daio-sugi Cedar, which are several thousand years old. To gain a deeper understanding of Yakushima's forest, please consider going with a guide who is knowledgeable about nature and history. For those who are not confident in their stamina or simply want to leisurely enjoy Yakushima’s forests, we recommend courses like Shiratani Unsuikyo or Yakusugi Land.

Details

Yakusugi Land

Yakusugi Land is a nature recreation forest spreading across an elevation of 1,000 to 1,300 meters, where you can easily enjoy the uniqueness of Yakushima. It is one of the few places in Japan where you can admire the primeval cedar forests, which have almost disappeared in the country. The vast forest offers five courses ranging from 30 to 210 minutes, allowing you to choose a course that suits your interest and stamina. The 30-minute course is fully equipped with wooden paths, but for courses over 80 minutes, it is recommended to wear hiking boots. Among the approximately 1,600 species of moss in Japan, Yakushima is home to over 600 species of moss. Yakusugi Land has been selected as one of “Japan's Precious Moss Forests", making it an excellent place to admire a variety of mosses.

Details

Janokuchi-no-taki Waterfall

This hiking course is within walking distance from the hotel. At the beginning of the course, you can admire many subtropical plants that you can find at lower elevations, such as Asplenium nidus and Biro. After crossing several small streams, the Janokuchi Waterfall appears in front of your eyes, with a drop of approximately 30 meters and a width of about 100 meters. Since this trail is less frequented by hikers, it is recommended to go with a guide who is knowledgeable about the mountains.

Details

Mt. Miyanoura

The majestic Mt. Mocchomu (elevation 940m) stands to the north of the hotel, with part of its course located within a conservation area of the World Natural Heritage. You can see Yakusugi cedar trees over 3,000 years old, and the panoramic ocean view from the summit near the village is a must-see.Since this course has fewer hikers, you can immerse yourself and enjoy the tranquility of the forest. There are several steep locations where you need to use ropes, so it is recommended to go with a knowledgeable guide.

Details

Mt. Mocchomu

The majestic Mt. Mocchomu (elevation 940m) stands to the north of the hotel, with part of its course located within a conservation area of the World Natural Heritage. You can see Yakusugi cedar trees over 3,000 years old, and the panoramic ocean view from the summit near the village is a must-see.Since this course has fewer hikers, you can immerse yourself and enjoy the tranquility of the forest. There are several steep locations where you need to use ropes, so it is recommended to go with a knowledgeable guide.

Details

Water activities

River kayaking

If you have half a day free, we recommend river kayaking.Anbo River, famous for kayaking, is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel.From near the mouth of the Anbo River, you can paddle upstream to reach a beautiful valley surrounded by forest, where you will be greeted by the green of Laurel-forest and the clear emerald-green water.Looking up at Yakushima from the water, you can discover a new side of "Water Island Yakushima."Some guides offer kayak tours in secluded, less-visited areas.

Details

Snorkeling

The crystal-clear blue waters of Yakushima are a paradise where a diverse ecosystem thrives, including sea turtles and various other marine life. There are numerous snorkeling spots on the island, such as Kurio Beach, Harutahama Beach, and Isso Beach.Snorkeling is a marine sport where you wear a mask, snorkel, and fins to slowly swim along the surface of the sea, admiring coral and fish. By wearing a wetsuit, you won't sink, so even those who aren't confident swimmers can enjoy it safely. If you go with a guide, you can easily experience the vibrant underwater world of Yakushima, even if you're not into diving.

Details

Scuba diving

With over 1,000 species of fish confirmed in the waters around Yakushima, it is one of the most famous diving areas in Japan. In Yakushima, where mountains, rivers, and the sea are compactly connected, the local airflow brings rain to the island. This water flows down the rivers, carrying nutrients from the mountains into the sea, fostering rich marine life around Yakushima. The best season is from July to October, when the Kuroshio Current approaches the coast, increasing underwater transparency.  Sea turtles live in the waters around Yakushima, so there are opportunities to encounter them underwater throughout the year.

Details

Other

Sea turtle watching

Nagata Inakahama Beach in Yakushima is famous as the largest nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles in the North Atlantic. Sea turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs in the quiet hours. During the hatching season, you can see baby turtles emerging from the sand around high tide, flapping their tiny flippers as they make their way straight to the sea. It is a heartwarming sight to see these small creatures bravely and determinedly venture into the vast ocean. Sea turtles are sensitive to light and human presence, so please be sure to follow the rules while observing them.

Details

Island sightseeing

Around Yakushima Island, there are numerous tourist spots. These include the Seibu Rindo Forest Path, where you can drive through a World Natural Heritage area; Oko-no-Taki Waterfall, one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls; Nagata Inakahama Beach, the top nesting site for sea turtles in Japan; Kigensugi-cedar, an estimated 3,000-year-old cedar visible from the car window; and Nakama Gajumaru, brimming with tropical vitality. From prefectural and town roads to lesser-known backroads off the main roads, Yakushima is full of various enchanting landscapes. We recommend renting a car so you can adjust your stay time as you wish.

Details

Recommended sightseeing
model course

We introduce sightseeing spots and activities, please use this as a reference.
This is not an optional tour by the hotel.