Health and Wellness
- Laundry Services
- Coin Laundry 'Shabondama' (Miyanoura and Anbo locations) — approx. ¥800 per wash/dry load.
- Best Hospital
- Yakushima Tokushukai Hospital (Anbo) — the largest facility on the island with emergency services.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Sankara Hotel & Spa offers luxury wellness retreats; local yoga classes occur at 'Umi no kaze'.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Yakushima Town Gymnasium (Anbo) — basic weight room and court rentals for approx. ¥300/session.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available. Most restaurants require in-person dining or pre-arranged bento pickup.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Flying Fish (Tobiuo) — served deep-fried whole with wings intact.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Nomado Cafe (Hara) — serves vegetarian-friendly curry and organic local produce.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Genki No Sono (Miyanoura) — famous for local Ponkan and Tankan orange soft-serve ice cream.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- A-Coop Supermarket (Anbo/Miyanoura) — best for fresh local produce and affordable bento boxes.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon Japan and Rakuten deliver, but allow 2-3 extra days for island shipping.
- Grocery Delivery
- No commercial apps; local co-ops provide delivery to elderly residents only.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Miyanoura has a small cluster of Izakayas like 'Hachiman' for evening drinks.
- Local Brewery
- Yakushima Catch the Beer — craft brewery in Hirauchi using local spring water.
- Wine Bars
- The Green Wine (Anbo) — featuring organic wines and local snacks.
- Street Food Stalls
- Limited; look for 'Hachimanjyu' stalls near the ports selling steamed buns.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Renga-ya (Miyanoura) — Western-style steaks and casual dining.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Jomon Sugi — a massive cedar tree estimated to be 2,000–7,000 years old.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Yakushima Environmental Cultural Village Center (Miyanoura) — ¥500 entry.
- Historical Sites
- Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine — the primary inspiration for Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke.
- Religious Sites
- Yakushima Taisha Shrine — a serene Shinto shrine located near Miyanoura.
- Annual Events
- Yakushima Goshintai Festival (August) — featuring traditional drumming and fire displays.
- Cultural Districts
- Hirauchi — known for its sea-front hot springs and artisan community.
- Theater Venues
- None; community halls are used for local performances.
- Local Markets
- Farmer's Market 'Furusato Ichiba' (Miyanoura) — best for local sea salt and cedar crafts.
- Music Scene
- Traditional Sanshin music is often performed at local guesthouses.
- Street Art
- Minimal; the island focuses on 'Natural Art' and eco-conservation.
- Cooking Classes
- Several Minshuku offer 'Saba Bushi' (smoked mackerel) making demonstrations.
- Art Galleries
- Hani-gama Pottery Gallery — featuring ceramics made with local clay.
- Historic Buildings
- The remains of the lumber transport railway tracks in the Kosugidani Forest.
- Local Heritage
- Yakusugi (Cedar) woodcraft — specialized carving techniques passed down through generations.
Business
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥160,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥12,800,000 / $85,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥90,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥7,200,000 / $48,000).
- Corporate Tax
- Approximately 30.6% (Combined national and local rates).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20.42% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (staying >1 year).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45%.
- VAT
- 10% (8% for groceries and takeout).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict rules applied by Japan's National Tax Agency.
- Property Tax
- Fixed Asset Tax at 1.4% of assessed value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Real Estate Acquisition Tax approx. 3-4% plus Stamp Duty.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Japan's 6-month Digital Nomad Visa (specific countries) offers temporary residency but no specific tax exemptions.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥200,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥8,000,000 / $53,000) - extremely rare to find.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥120,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥4,800,000 / $32,000) - usually old wooden houses (Akiya).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥180,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥10,800,000 / $72,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥100,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥6,000,000 / $40,000).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Ohko-no-taki Waterfall — one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls with an 88m drop.
- National Parks Nearby
- Yakushima National Park — encompasses most of the island's interior.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Seishun-no-michi road along the west coast for sunset cycling.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Taiko-iwa Rock — offers a panoramic view of the island’s central mountains.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Western Forest Road (Seibu Rindo) — also great for spotting Yakushima deer and macaques.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping grounds like Kurio Beach allow fires in designated pits.
Essentials
- City
- Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
- Population
- Approximately 12,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps; fiber optic is available in Miyanoura and Anbo, but signal drops in mountainous interiors.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 JPY ≈ 0.0067 USD; 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY. Japan Post Bank (JP Bank) ATMs are the most reliable for international cards.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and exceptionally high quality; sourced from mountain springs.
- Power
- 100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Flat two-pin plugs)
- SIM Card
- NTT Docomo has the best coverage on the island. Ubigi or Airalo eSIMs are recommended for short stays.
- Banking for Expats
- Wise, Revolut, and local JP Bank (Post Office) for cash withdrawals.
- Accommodation
- Minshuku (guesthouses), Ryokans, and a few specialized nomad stays like Yakushima South Village.
- Cashless Friendly
- Increasingly so in Miyanoura/Anbo, but many small family-run lodges and mountain huts remain Cash Only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options are limited; local sites like Yakushima Stay offer more variety.
- Budget Accommodation
- Yakushima Youth Hostel (Miyanoura) - approx. ¥4,500/night ($30).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Miyanoura — closest to the ferry port and major hiking trailheads.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Anbo — centrally located with better cafe options and reliable grocery stores.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Yakushima South Village (Hirauchi) — monthly memberships available for approx. ¥15,000; offers a community garden vibe.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Issou Coffee (Miyanoura) — high-quality local roasts and a quiet atmosphere for focused work.
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at 'The Green Wine' bar or community meetups hosted by local ecotour guides.
- Social Events for Expats
- Occasional beach clean-ups and environmental volunteer days organized by the Yakushima Environmental Cultural Village Center.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use local taxi companies like Anbo Taxi; call via phone as apps don't operate here.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- You-Shop Kagoshima (Miyanoura) — Electric bikes approx. ¥3,000/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Isso Beach — clear water, great for snorkeling, north of Miyanoura.
- Top Regional Airline
- Japan Air Commuter (JAC) - flights from Kagoshima (KOJ) to Yakushima (KUM).
- Top International Airline
- ANA or JAL (Connection via Fukuoka or Osaka/Itami).
- Highway Access
- Prefectural Road 77/78 circles the island; no expressways exist.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. The main hubs are Miyanoura Port and Anbo Port for the Jetfoil ferry.
- Public Transport Passes
- Yakushima Bus Pass: 1-day (¥2,000), 3-day (¥3,000), or 4-day (¥4,000) unlimited travel.
- Regional Travel
- Toppy/Rocket Jetfoil to Kagoshima (approx. 2 hours, ¥12,200) or car ferry (4 hours, ¥6,000).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) has a main office in Anbo.
- Tech Repair Services
- None on island. Must ship devices to Kagoshima or Fukuoka for repair.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Town community centers often have tables for public use (approx. ¥200).
- Language Classes
- No formal schools; private tutoring via 'Yakushima International Association'.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Yakushima Town Library (Koshima) — quiet, air-conditioned public space.
- Community Centers
- Miyanoura Community Center — hosts local workshops and meetings.
- Gaming Lounges
- None.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; gambling is illegal in Japan outside specific state-controlled venues.