Yakushima

Yakushima is a unique, roughly circular island located in Japan.

It is part of the Ōsumi Islands within the Kagoshima Prefecture. The island sits south of the southern tip of the Ōsumi Peninsula. It is separated from the nearby island of Tanegashima by the Tanegashima Strait. Because Tanegashima houses the Japanese Space Centre, residents can often see periodic rocket launches from Yakushima.

The island's bedrock is composed of granite. This geological makeup means there are no active volcanoes on the island. Today, the island is part of the town of Yakushima, which also includes the neighboring island of Kuchinoerabujima.

The island's environment is shaped by an extremely heavy amount of precipitation. Yakushima is the wettest place in Japan. It receives an annual precipitation of approximately 7,950 mm. This rainfall is not distributed evenly throughout the year. In June, the island can receive as much as 1,000 mm of rain alone. The heaviest downpours usually occur during the spring and summer months. These intense storms are often accompanied by landslides. While the summers are hot and humid, the winters remain mild. Interestingly, Yakushima is the southernmost location in Japan where snow occurs in the mountains. This snow can sometimes stay on the peaks for several months.

This intense moisture supports a diverse and ancient ecosystem. Yakushima contains one of the largest remaining tracts of Nansei Islands subtropical evergreen forests. This is considered an endangered habitat ecoregion. Much of the island consists of secondary forest because logging occurred in the past. Logging was common from the early Edo period until the late 1960s. Since then, a conservation regime has focused on replanting and reseeding the land. However, some areas of primary forest still remain. These ancient forests are dominated by Cryptomeria japonica, known as Japanese cedar. One famous tree, the Jōmon Sugi, is estimated to be at least 2,300 years old.

The island is home to many specialized species of flora and fauna. There are over 50 varieties of endemic flowers, such as certain rhododendrons. Hundreds of rare endemic species of Bryophyta, or mosses, also grow here. The only large animals that are indigenous to the island are sika deer and Yakushima macaques. You might also see Japanese weasels or the non-native Japanese raccoon dog. The waters around the island are also vital for wildlife. Yakushima is the largest nesting ground for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle in the North Pacific. Offshore, one can find dolphins and coral reefs, though the reefs are less extensive than those in Okinawa.

Human history on Yakushima stretches back to at least the Jōmon period. The island was first mentioned in Chinese documents during the Sui dynasty in the 6th century. In the year 601, a Chinese expedition visited the area. In 607, another expedition arrived to trade and brought an islander back to China. By 702 CE, the Shoku Nihongi text recorded that Yakushima was part of the ancient Tane Province. During the Edo period, the Shimazu clan of the Satsuma Domain ruled the island. Following the Meiji restoration, it became part of Kagoshima Prefecture. The population reached a peak of 24,010 in 1960. By 2020, the population had stabilized at 12,053 inhabitants.

Modern Yakushima is recognized globally for its ecological importance. In 1980, an area was designated a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. In 1993, the Nagata-hama wetland became a Ramsar site. That same year, the island's ancient forests were named a natural World Heritage Site. The island also serves as a site for modern technological research. More than 99% of the island's electricity comes from hydroelectric power. Kagoshima University has used surplus power to experiment with producing hydrogen gas. Additionally, Honda has used the island as a test site for hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research.

Connectivity to the island is maintained through several different methods. Travelers can reach Yakushima via Yakushima Airport, which is a 40-minute flight from Kagoshima Airport. Several ferry options exist, including hydrofoil jetfoils and car ferries. Major port towns on the island include Anbō and Miyanoura. There is also a narrow-gauge timber railway on the island, though it is used only for transporting freight. Beyond science and nature, Yakushima has influenced popular culture. The lush forests inspired the setting of the film Princess Mononoke. The landscapes have also served as inspiration for video games like Metal Gear Solid 3 and the Tekken series.