Yakushima

Wild and mysterious, the remote subtropical island of Yakushima is unlike any other place in  Japan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the Japan’s oldest living trees, not  to mention extensive cedar forests and wildlife. It rains often on the island––at least every day––  which accounts for its lush foliage and humid weather. Don’t worry; it can be light and fairly limited  to short periods of time. Have your raincoats ready!

In recent years, Yakushima has attracted particular attention from moss lovers, who flock to its  forests with magnifying glasses to peer at the stunning, velvety mosses blanketing the stones and  trees. The island is home to around 600 species of moss. Indeed, the lush, moss-covered Shiratani  Unsuikyo––The White Valley of Clouds and Water––was the inspiration for much of the setting in  Studio Ghibli’s animated film Princess Mononoke. If you’ve typically sought to eradicate moss from your  gardens, a visit to Yakushima is sure to change your mind.

With its many hiking trails, pristine rivers, and seaside activities, Yakushima is a real paradise for  nature lovers and outdoorsy types yearning for an escape from concrete jungles.