Yakushima 屋久島
World Heritage-listed eco-island
Going to sub-tropical, World Heritage-listed Yakushima, off the southern coast of Kyūshū (still part of Kagoshima Prefecture) is a real adventure.
Most visitors come to hike through the forests to see the famous ancient cedar trees, the yakusugi, said to be more than 1000 years old. The most famous, Jōmon Sugi, is estimated to be somewhere between 2000 and 7200 years of age.
Others climb Miyanoura-dake, one of the Hyakumeizan, Japan’s 100 Famous mountains, at 1935m.
A high island, Yakushima attracts a lot of rain and the high peaks even have snow in winter.
There are lots of things to do around the island - my favourite is Hirauchi Kaichū Onsen - hot springs in rockpools by the sea that are only useable when the tide is out far enough. This is mixed gender; no bathing suits allowed.