Cruise ships dock directly at Miyanoura Port or Anbo Port — no tender required. Miyanoura is the main gateway and has the most facilities.
💡 Pro move: Yakushima's roads are narrow and mountain buses infrequent. Rent a car at the port or book a ship excursion if you want to cover more ground independently.
Ships dock at Miyanoura Port on the northeast coast (most common) or Anbo Port on the east — both offer direct walk-off access.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Miyanoura Port, northeast Yakushima📍 | Docked |
| Some itineraries | Anbo Port, east Yakushima📍 | Docked |
Yakushima is all about its ancient forests — pick the trail that fits your ship's schedule and fitness level.
The moss-carpeted ravine that inspired Princess Mononoke. Well-maintained trails range from 1-hour strolls to a 4-hour mountain loop with panoramic views. The ¥500 entry fee goes to forest conservation.
Find Shiratani Unsuikyo tours →A dedicated natural park showcasing cedars over 1,000 years old (yakusugi). Circular trails from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours let you choose your pace — ideal for cruise schedules.
Find Yakusugi Land tours →Japan's oldest living cedar — estimated at 2,000–7,200 years old. The 22 km round-trip takes 10–12 hours from the Arakawa Trailhead (shuttle bus required Mar–Nov). Only feasible on long port days.
Find Jomon Sugi guided hikes →Yakushima's roads are roamed by native Yakushima deer and Japanese macaque monkeys. A rental car or taxi loop around the island road gives excellent wildlife viewing, plus coastal waterfalls like Toroki Falls (which falls directly into the sea).
Find island tour excursions →A wild hot spring on the southern coast that appears only at low tide — the rocks form natural pools filled by geothermal heat. Check tide times before you go; it submerges completely at high tide.
Find onsen & nature tours →Miyanoura town is walkable from the pier; the island's main attractions require transport into the mountains.
A short walk through Miyanoura town from the port: browse the market and visit the Yakushima Environmental and Cultural Village Center near the harbor (free exhibits on Yakushima's nature and UNESCO heritage) for context before heading into the forests. (The Yakusugi Museum is near Anbo, ~22 km away — reachable by car or bus, not on foot.)
The shortest loop inside Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, passing the ancient Yayoisugi cedar and through the famous moss forest. Perfect for cruise passengers with limited time.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Yakushima Island, Kagoshima, Japan (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F / 14°C | 49°F / 9°C | 18 | 7:15 AM | 5:38 PM |
| Feb | 58°F / 14°C | 49°F / 9°C | 17 | 6:58 AM | 6:05 PM |
| Mar | 63°F / 17°C | 54°F / 12°C | 17 | 6:28 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Apr | 69°F / 21°C | 60°F / 16°C | 16 | 5:50 AM | 6:45 PM |
| May | 75°F / 24°C | 66°F / 19°C | 16 | 5:23 AM | 7:04 PM |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 73°F / 23°C | 22 | 5:15 AM | 7:21 PM |
| Jul | 85°F / 29°C | 79°F / 26°C | 21 | 5:26 AM | 7:21 PM |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 80°F / 27°C | 21 | 5:44 AM | 6:59 PM |
| Sep | 83°F / 28°C | 76°F / 24°C | 23 | 6:02 AM | 6:23 PM |
| Oct | 75°F / 24°C | 69°F / 21°C | 18 | 6:19 AM | 5:46 PM |
| Nov | 69°F / 21°C | 61°F / 16°C | 17 | 6:43 AM | 5:20 PM |
| Dec | 60°F / 16°C | 52°F / 11°C | 19 | 7:07 AM | 5:18 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Yakushima Island, Kagoshima, Japan. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.