
17/06/2025
Discover Yakushima - Where Forests Meet the Sea
Tucked away in southern Japan, Yakushima is a place where ancient forests and wild coastlines come together in perfect harmony.
Step into the island’s lush, moss-covered mountains and you’ll find towering cedar trees—some over 1,000 years old. The legendary Jomon Sugi, thought to be more than 7,000 years old, stands as a living monument to time. Hiking here feels like entering the world of Princess Mononoke—and that’s no coincidence; the film was inspired by this very landscape.
But Yakushima’s magic doesn’t stop in the forest. From May to August, its sandy beaches become one of Japan’s most important nesting grounds for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. By moonlight, you might witness these gentle creatures coming ashore to lay their eggs—or even see tiny hatchlings begin their journey to the sea.
Few places on Earth offer such a profound connection to both land and ocean. 🌲🐢🌊
📸: Yakushima Tourism Association