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The forests, waterfalls, coastline, wildlife, and rivers of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. With an English-speaking trekking guide, immerse yourself in the island's grand nature at your own pace, and enjoy kayaking on a clear river on the final day — a private 3-night, 4-day journey.
Yakushima is an island where diverse nature is concentrated — not only the deep forest where ancient cedars live, but also coastline, waterfalls, mountain streams, wildlife, and hot springs. On this course, together with an English-speaking guide, you won’t just “see” the island’s nature — you’ll walk it on your own feet, paddle out onto its rivers, and feel it with your body.
The source page sets the trekking difficulty as relatively high. At the same time, it is built around the concept of “walking at your own pace,” and is a private tour premised on adjustments to match your fitness and preferences.
Indicative Price (per person): USD 3,454〜
A moss-covered forest and Yakusugi cedars over a thousand years old. Step into primeval nature where the scale of time itself seems to shift.
Visit Okawa Falls and the coastline known as a sea turtle nesting site, and look for Yaku macaques and Yaku deer along the Seibu Forest Road.
A 5-6 hour, roughly 5.5km trek at Yakusugi Land, going deep into the heart of the forest.
Enjoy the world of Yakushima's waters on a highly transparent river where seawater and freshwater mix.
The itinerary below is a model plan. The content and order can be adjusted to match your interests, fitness level, travel companions, and preferred pace.
After arriving at Yakushima Airport from various cities, transfer to your hotel. Around 16:30, visit the Yakushima Environmental Culture Village Center to learn about the island's nature and culture before you set out.
Depart your hotel in the morning. Visit Nagata Inakahama Beach, known as a sea turtle nesting site, and Okawa Falls. Afterward, walk the Seibu Forest Road looking for encounters with Yaku macaques and Yaku deer. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner.
Depart your hotel in the morning for a roughly 5-6 hour, approximately 5.5km trek at Yakusugi Land. Walk deeply through a forest lined with moss, clear streams, wooden bridges, and giant trees. The source page also introduces the Jomon Sugi trek and Shiratani Unsuikyo as related activities, and these can be discussed based on your wishes and fitness level.
Depart your hotel in the morning. From around 8:30 to 12:00, enjoy kayaking on the Kurio River, where mangroves remain. In the afternoon, depart Yakushima. A ferry to Kagoshima, domestic flights to Fukuoka or Osaka, an extended stay in Yakushima, or an extension to Ibusuki Onsen can all be discussed.
Samana Hotel Yakushima or an equivalent-class property
3 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily and some lunches/dinners, private vehicle transport on specified sections, and an English-speaking trekking guide.
Not IncludedAirport transfers (optional), meals and alcohol not listed in the itinerary, travel insurance and personal expenses, and local transportation not specified.
NotesThe activity level is listed as "Hard." Trekking and kayaking may be changed depending on weather, local conditions, and fitness level. The source page states that a non-refundable deposit of USD 300 per person is required at the time of booking. Prices and conditions are as of the time this page was published on the source site.
Want to ease up the trekking a little, take on the Jomon Sugi trek, add Shiratani Unsuikyo, or extend your stay with a hot spring? Because this is a private tour, the pace of the journey is yours to adjust.