Yakushima Island is one of Japan’s most unspoiled natural landscapes, with ancient forests long tied to Japanese spirituality. In Yukusugi Land, cedar trees are often more than 1,000 years old, and elsewhere on the island some are believed to be several thousand years in age.
Only part of Yakushima is designated as a national park, and selected areas are recognized as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and its Biosphere Reserve. These protections safeguard the primeval forests and diverse ecosystems for future generations.　
Because of its steep mountains and wide altitude range, Yakushima is home to remarkably varied vegetation. Subtropical forests thrive near the coast, while temperate forests cover the highlands. Moss carpets rocks and roots in places like Shiratani Unsuikyo ravine, which partly inspired the scenery in Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke.
The island’s climate is equally diverse. Warm and humid conditions dominate the lowlands year-round, while winter snow sometimes blankets the peaks. This seasonal contrast allows visitors to encounter many faces of nature on a single small island. After exploring Yakushima, take a boat back to Kyushu and then a train to Kumamoto, gateway to Japan’s largest active volcano, Mount Aso.

The rugged Mount Yasuman is the highest peak on Hirado Island, revered by followers of many different faiths over the centuries. Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity alike regard Mount Yasuman as a spiritual place. The fresh spring waters flowing down the mountain feed both the pristine Kousone River and the terraced rice paddies of Kasuga Village below.
You can hike along Mount Yasuman's well-maintained trails, through dense forests where rays of sunlight stream through the canopy to the forest floor. When you reach the summit, enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding islands and the historic Kasuga Village, a Hidden Christian World Heritage Site below. At the summit, you'll also find the modest Shirayamahime Shrine, a place of worship for several of Japan's ancient religions.
From Mount Yasuman, reach your next destination by rental car in the neighboring prefecture of Saga.

Munakata Taisha is one of Japan’s oldest shrines, appearing in Japanese mythology. It is comprised of three sites: Okitsu-miya on Okinoshima, Nakatsu-miya on Oshima, and the largest Hetsu-miya on the Kyushu mainland. Okinoshima was the site of the original shrine, where rituals were performed from around the 4th century and offerings dedicated to the gods have been unearthed. Today, only shrine priests are allowed to visit the island. Oshima is home to Nakatsu Shrine, at the foot of Mount Mitake. Hetsu Shrine, simply referred to as Munakata Taisha, is the easiest to access and largest of the three shrines.
The shrines were said to be established when Munakata was the primary trade and cultural exchange route with the Asian mainland. The riches of the area are evident in the Shinpo-kan treasure hall of Hetsu Shrine which includes an astounding 80,000 items designated as National Treasures of Japan that were unearthed on Okinoshima.
Your next destination is deep in the mountains of Oita's Kunisaki Peninsula: the ancient Futagoji Temple.