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.

Season

Nesting period: Late April to late July
Hatching period: Late July to early September

Standard Time Required

Up to 3 hours

Notes

When observing sea turtles at Nagata Inakahama Beach, you must join an observation group.To protect the sea turtles, please avoid entering Nagata Inakahama Beach at night from May 1 to September 30.

Observation sessions are not held at Kurio Beach.
Please adhere to the rules when visiting for observation.
https://umigame-yakushima.com/kuriohama/

Cooperation Fee

Participation fee: 2,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for junior high school students and younger

Advance Reservation

Advance reservation is required to participate in the sea turtle observation sessions at Nagata Inakahama Beach.

Others

Trekking

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.

Trekking

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.

Others Plan

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.

With water

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.

With Hand

Yakusugi cedar craft experience

Handcrafting with Yakusugi wood is recommended not only on rainy days but also on sunny days. As you reflect on the timeless moments spent in Yakusugi, create a unique travel memory with your handmade craft.

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.